Low deflection properties of schmelke sks kielwood shaft?
- Thread starter CeaseLess
- Start date
If you can wait until next week, I can give you feedback. I just posted about a Barnhart Kielwood shaft, that I got about a month ago, in the Cue & Shaft Review Forum. It was because of my Barnhart shaft my friend ordered a custom made Schmelke shaft that arrives Mon. It is 30” because he specified a 1” Juma ferrule instead of the shorter 1/2” ferrule.
A week ago I ordered a Schmelke Kielwood shaft on eBay because Cory only builds radial shafts. I had to return it because the shaft wasn’t straight so I never even chalked it. It looked pretty good but a crooked cue is just awful. I’m waiting to see how my buddy’s Schmelke shaft turns out. Shipped to his door was under $300 and he ordered a Kamui tip that was extra as was the ferrule change. It seems like a bargain but I can post more information on your thread next week. I’ll include photos.
A week ago I ordered a Schmelke Kielwood shaft on eBay because Cory only builds radial shafts. I had to return it because the shaft wasn’t straight so I never even chalked it. It looked pretty good but a crooked cue is just awful. I’m waiting to see how my buddy’s Schmelke shaft turns out. Shipped to his door was under $300 and he ordered a Kamui tip that was extra as was the ferrule change. It seems like a bargain but I can post more information on your thread next week. I’ll include photos.
Unless Schmelke is drilling a hole in the front of the shaft, it won’t be low deflection.
Of the wood shafts, nothing comes close to the predator 314 and Z series, if low deflection is your priority.
Of the wood shafts, nothing comes close to the predator 314 and Z series, if low deflection is your priority.
I was using a kielwood as a break shaft (didn't know they say specifically not to) and shattered the front of it. It is drilled and foam cored. I'm planning on cutting it down and turning it into one of my hybrid shafts.
Jaden
edit: forget what I said, I don't think the one I have was an SKS, don't know who made it.
Jaden
edit: forget what I said, I don't think the one I have was an SKS, don't know who made it.
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CeaseLess
Active member
Yea brother, leí me know what you think of the feel and deflection and any other shaft you think has a similar feel.
CeaseLess
Active member
Was that a Schmelke Kielwood or another one?
I wasn't sure but I don't think it is. I just updated that other post to reflect that.
Jaden
It would.
Are you on Pred's payroll or what?? Gotta be the biggest fanboy out there. There are other shafts with Pred-like deflection qualities.
I'm not. Like I said I even wanted to like the Rhino to save money. I tried nearly every wood and CF low deflection shaft since 2000 or so. None were as low, and at that time that's what I was after.
When the charts were published from Platinum Billiards, Predator was routinely in all of the top 5 or 6 spots on the charts.
I think it may defeat the purpose of the shaft’s lower deflection properties but it isn’t my shaft or the way I’d order it.
However, I am intrigued since it matches all the other shafts he has and so there maybe some merit to duplication.
In any event, I want to see how it turns out. The shaft I got via eBay I’m returning is a very nice shaft but for the
taper roll. But it weighed 4.0 ounces, 12.75mm, flat faced wood 3/8x10. A Kielwood shaft like that isn’t common.
So if I findthe weight of my friend’s Schmelke shaft is OK and it’s straight, I’ll likely order one. IMO, I think matching
the specs of a Kielwood shaft to the maple shaft you play with is a smart to do. It sure was with my Barnhart shaft.
funkygunner
New member
I've been using a Mezz wx900 for a year. I recently bought a Schmelke SKS Kielwood shaft and Shedua butt. I'd say the deflection is quite comparable to the wx900. It feels great to play with. I did not do any specific test other than hit the cueball with spin many times with each cue/shaft to see how it compared. I think I'm gonna make the switch permanent since I love the feedback and feel of the Schmelke cue.
My friend’s Schmelke Kielwood shaft arrived today. It is a 3/8x10 flat faced 29” shaft, 13mm & 3.80 ozs. The order was changed to a 1/2” ferrule because a 1” Juma ferrule really defeats the purpose of a Kielwood shaft’s lower deflection.
In the photo, it appears shorter than my Barnhart roasted maple shaft but my shaft is the bottom shaft & his Schmelke
shaft is the top one in the photo. So the angle creates an optical illusion but it is really a 29” shaft. My Barnhart shaft identically weighs 3.8 ozs. but since it’s a 12.85mm shaft 1/2” longer, both shafts have the identical weight. The finish
On his cue shaft is superb…..smooth as satin…….the tip is a Kamui and it was shaped really nice. It sure seems like Schmelke does make a really nice Kielwood shaft. It probably is worth considering versus others that cost a lot more.
p.s. I bought a Schmelke SP cue from Mike Mosconi, it’s a great inexpensive cue so I have regard for Schmelke Cues.
In the photo, it appears shorter than my Barnhart roasted maple shaft but my shaft is the bottom shaft & his Schmelke
shaft is the top one in the photo. So the angle creates an optical illusion but it is really a 29” shaft. My Barnhart shaft identically weighs 3.8 ozs. but since it’s a 12.85mm shaft 1/2” longer, both shafts have the identical weight. The finish
On his cue shaft is superb…..smooth as satin…….the tip is a Kamui and it was shaped really nice. It sure seems like Schmelke does make a really nice Kielwood shaft. It probably is worth considering versus others that cost a lot more.
p.s. I bought a Schmelke SP cue from Mike Mosconi, it’s a great inexpensive cue so I have regard for Schmelke Cues.
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CeaseLess
Active member
Did you get a chance to shoot with his schmelke shaft? What did you think and what can you comparte it to? And the deflection.
I did not try his shaft yet. He returned it to Schmelke because he really wants the 1” Juma ferrule instead of the shorter version normally used on a Kielwood shaft. David Schmelke was understandably apologetic for the confusion with the order. He and my friend discussed this change but he never requested a change to his original written order. So he returned the shaft and David was keeping him abreast of when the new shaft would arrive sometime next week.
For what it is worth, my friend has spoken with David several times and has thoroughly enjoyed their conversations. He
is very impressed with the workmanship of the shaft that was straight as a tightly stretched string. If it was only the ferrule, then David would have replaced it and returned the shaft. But he wanted a 30” 13 mm shaft plus a 1” ferrule and the one he received was 29”. In any event, he isn’t bothered by this delay in the slightest because of the terrific communications he’s enjoyed speaking with David Schmelke. I’ve worked with custom cue makers that made me a cue and I’m telling you innocent, simple mistakes can and do occur. It’s how the issue gets handled that decides if you will ultimately be pleased. From what I can see, David is behaving like the best cue makers I’ve done repeat business with. That’s rare company nowadays so I give Schmelke two thumbs held high for customer service.
Esthetically, Schmelke’s Kielwood shaft is lovely…..nice color, wood grain and weight…3.8 ozs. flat faced shaft without
any brass….nice weight and is the lightest weight I’d want. A lot of Kielwood shafts I researched were lighter than that.
If you call and ask for a 12.75 Kielwood shaft weighing at least 4.0 ozs without any brass receiver, it is not as simple as
Instructing your cue maker to build an original maple shaft. The kiln roasting changes the wood and the finished shaft is
lighter. My Cory Barnhart roasted maple shaft (RMS) shaft is 3.8 ozs. flat faced shaft. It’s the only version Cory makes.
I really enjoy my Barnhart shaft and based on what I viewed in person, I have every reason to presume the Schmelke Kielwood shaft would be equivalent. After my friend gets his Kielwood shaft next week, I’ll report more information and
I will play with his shaft on my Scruggs cue butt that the Barnhart RMS shaft was purchased for. It will be a fair test of
the shaft and based upon what I have seen, especially the excellent communications from David Schmelke, I anticipate also ordering a Schmelke Kielwood shaft as long as the weight of the shaft can be built to be 3.8 ozs. or heavier, but I do not want a lighter Kielwood shaft. Let me clear…..this is entirely predicated on my belief there is an important correlation between the weights of the cue shaft and the cue butt. All my custom cues were built adhering to this recipe and the greatest cue makers all did the very same thing so it’s not just a fluke statistic. The clincher was when my cue makers also agreed on the importance of pairing the weight of the shaft and cue butt for balance and feel.
So far, I give the Schmelke Kielwood shaft a thumbs up on its esthetics. Next week I can offer you a side by side
comparison with my Barnhart shaft that happens to be the best hitting shaft I have played with so far that includes
original custom shafts built to my exact specs. BTW, if you have a radial joint cue, Martin still has a couple of Barnhart RMS shafts that’s the same weight and diameter (12.85mm) as mine. If you want a LD wood shaft, just contact Superior Cues.
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Had a similar mix-up happen with the tip diameter on a shaft I ordered from Schmelke, and David went way beyond any reasonable expectation making sure it was taken care of. They have always been awesome, and have earned my business and referrals for life.
FWIW I have an SKS and really like it. The quality and feel are great, and it deflects noticeably less than their PTO laminated shaft I replaced for the KW.
FWIW I have an SKS and really like it. The quality and feel are great, and it deflects noticeably less than their PTO laminated shaft I replaced for the KW.
CeaseLess
Active member
Okay I'll wait a week to see what you think once you hit with it. I'm actually looking for a lighter shaft. I like a pretty light shaft For a more rear weighted cue. I do have a radial. If I were to order one I'd prefer it around 12mm and hope the shaft would be around 3.4 oz.
When you trim the shaft diameter down to 12 mm, it is darn near impossible to make a flat faced shaft weighing high 3 ounces or heavier. Now if it was a piloted shaft, it’s a lot easier because of the weight of the receiver. But a 29” torrified
12mm maple flat faced shaft is going to be noticeably lighter so you should be pleased with the shaft weight, IMO.
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