Traditional wood shafts making comeback?

I've been using and testing CF shafts for the last 2 months. I've been doing so side by side with wooden 314-2 shafts.
For almost every cue I have, I have the original standard wood shaft, a 314-2 shaft and now a CF shaft.
I've been comparing playability and performance, and it comes down to one difference: energy deliverance.
There is less energy loss with CF shafts, so you get more CB action. This is something that needs to be controlled and get used to, and the feedback (feel) needs to be interpreted correctly after getting used to wood.

I believe that some of that energy loss is observed by the wood upon impact (maybe transfered to heat), but I do believe that some of that energy gets lost in friction between the shaft and the bridge hand; with or without a glove, no matter what you do to a wooden shaft, it'll never be as smooth as CF.

When it comes to deflection, if you aim with spin as Jeremy Jones shows in this video, then it's all the same.
 
skor said:
I've been using and testing CF shafts for the last 2 months. I've been doing so side by side with wooden 314-2 shafts.
Click to expand...
See below for Predator's description of the 314-3 (the newer model to 314-2). What is innovative about the vault-plate front-end construction that got Predator a patent?
Predator was awarded a patent for its innovative Vault Plate front-end construction: Patent # US9814963B2.​

Predator 314-3_Front end.jpg


Predator 314-3_Multi-ply wood.jpg
 
Patent = $$$$$$$

They will sell a lot and that is their flagship shaft and not the carbon. The 314 lineup have been the best in my opinion. I've played with one with no black cat and that thing shot like a beast during its time. Very easy runouts and if you can get your pattern down to just stun stopping the ball then its over for the opponent.
 
skor said:
I've been using and testing CF shafts for the last 2 months. I've been doing so side by side with wooden 314-2 shafts.
For almost every cue I have, I have the original standard wood shaft, a 314-2 shaft and now a CF shaft.
I've been comparing playability and performance, and it comes down to one difference: energy deliverance.
There is less energy loss with CF shafts, so you get more CB action. This is something that needs to be controlled and get used to, and the feedback (feel) needs to be interpreted correctly after getting used to wood.

I believe that some of that energy loss is observed by the wood upon impact (maybe transfered to heat), but I do believe that some of that energy gets lost in friction between the shaft and the bridge hand; with or without a glove, no matter what you do to a wooden shaft, it'll never be as smooth as CF.

When it comes to deflection, if you aim with spin as Jeremy Jones shows in this video, then it's all the same.
Click to expand...
Yes. Carbon fiber shafts have about 15% better energy transfer to ball. That why i want to switch from Z3 shaft to 11.8 Revo. Deflection is about same but i would like to get more power with less effort. I could do it just using hard tips but i like soft ones.
Now money is tight and Revo need is not so urgent, I can wait some :)
 
skor said:
I don't understand what you wanted to say with this
Click to expand...
The 314-2 and 314-3 are likely the least-deflection wood shafts available.
Predator makes an interesting shaft with pro taper, a patented ferrule, and ten pieces of wood.
 
Poolmanis said:
Yes. Carbon fiber shafts have about 15% better energy transfer to ball. That why i want to switch from Z3 shaft to 11.8 Revo. Deflection is about same but i would like to get more power with less effort. I could do it just using hard tips but i like soft ones.
Now money is tight and Revo need is not so urgent, I can wait some :)
Click to expand...
Interesting.

Personally, I find it better to be near maxed out and hitting it firmer is better than lighten up your stroke to compensate for the extra energy.

It's like having a big club in golf just to hit it softly. I like to find that perfect combo where I can hit max. I don't like to hit the ball slow because I factor the tables at my pool hall have breaks in them. I rather send the ball straight into the pocket.

I was taught to shoot at the ball and no poke at the ball.
 
Poolmanis said:
Z2 and Z3 have way less deflection than those
Click to expand...

first gen too. it's simple math, 314's are 12.75mm and Z-shafts are 11.85mm, both are hollowed. i think someone did a deflection test when revo came out, and the Z-shaft was still lowest deflection.
 
CocoboloCowboy said:
Think Wood has never been out of Vogue with most Pool Players,. The HYPE & BS over Predator, O/B, CF and the other latest and great SUPER SHAFTS is just one of those sale programs to separate you from your money.

Dr. Dave did a U-Tube on Shafts, Defection, and differences. Differences are bottom line minimal.

So ask your self axquestion, is some pro who is using say a Brad X CF does so because of endorsement money, or he or she purchased and love?
Click to expand...
I have a Rhino. It's a great shaft for the money. Really you can't even get a decent wood shaft for what it costs.

Did it make me play better? No.

But I like it, it's straight and smooth as could be. If it gets knocked over by some dumb ass it won't ding it. If I get rambunctious and ding it off of a low hanging light on my break it won't ding or dent. If I hit it on a pocket casting it won't dent.

Now I do know how to take care of a cue, but shit happens. Especially if you're playing on a team that buys shots or something after a win. I quit Monday night league after one season because I'm not a huge drinker and I probably drank more each Monday night than I would have in a month or two. I wasn't stumbling drunk or anything but it's much more likely to ding a shaft when you're under the influence. Lots of pool is played with drinks.

I've also had a stick fall at a buddies garage. It had a pristine wooden shaft. Now it has specs all over it where sand used on ice embedded in the shaft. It made me just sick. With CF it wouldn't be an issue.

Slick, smooth, LD, and resists dents/dings. It's not a bad thing. You don't need it, and it likely wont make you play better, but it's peace of mind.
 
boogieman said:
I have a Rhino. It's a great shaft for the money. Really you can't even get a decent wood shaft for what it costs.

Did it make me play better? No.

But I like it, it's straight and smooth as could be. If it gets knocked over by some dumb ass it won't ding it. If I get rambunctious and ding it off of a low hanging light on my break it won't ding or dent. If I hit it on a pocket casting it won't dent.

Now I do know how to take care of a cue, but shit happens. Especially if you're playing on a team that buys shots or something after a win. I quit Monday night league after one season because I'm not a huge drinker and I probably drank more each Monday night than I would have in a month or two. I wasn't stumbling drunk or anything but it's much more likely to ding a shaft when you're under the influence. Lots of pool is played with drinks.

I've also had a stick fall at a buddies garage. It had a pristine wooden shaft. Now it has specs all over it where sand used on ice embedded in the shaft. It made me just sick. With CF it wouldn't be an issue.

Slick, smooth, LD, and resists dents/dings. It's not a bad thing. You don't need it, and it likely wont make you play better, but it's peace of mind.
Click to expand...
Those Monday night sound a lot of fun...
 
skogstokig said:
314's are 12.75mm and Z-shafts are 11.85mm, both are hollowed
Click to expand...
Does any other cuemaker make a hollowed-out wood shaft? There are many companies making hollowed-out wood shafts but there is a carbon-fiber rod inside.

Does Predator have a figure or photo showing the hollowed-out shaft?
 
Paul_#_ said:
Does any other cuemaker make a hollowed-out wood shaft? There are many companies making hollowed-out wood shafts but there is a carbon-fiber rod inside.

Does Predator have a figure or photo showing the hollowed-out shaft?
Click to expand...

i think predator had/has a patent, but OB and mezz i think have hollowed out shafts. of course they're filled with foam
 
skor said:
I've been using and testing CF shafts for the last 2 months. I've been doing so side by side with wooden 314-2 shafts.
For almost every cue I have, I have the original standard wood shaft, a 314-2 shaft and now a CF shaft.
I've been comparing playability and performance, and it comes down to one difference: energy deliverance.
There is less energy loss with CF shafts, so you get more CB action. This is something that needs to be controlled and get used to, and the feedback (feel) needs to be interpreted correctly after getting used to wood.

I believe that some of that energy loss is observed by the wood upon impact (maybe transfered to heat), but I do believe that some of that energy gets lost in friction between the shaft and the bridge hand; with or without a glove, no matter what you do to a wooden shaft, it'll never be as smooth as CF.

When it comes to deflection, if you aim with spin as Jeremy Jones shows in this video, then it's all the same.
Click to expand...


Huh. Took the wood shafts out for a spin today, good old standard full deflection for the playing cue. I watched this video thinking, boy that doesn’t make any sense, that’s equivalent to using a pivot point at the very butt end of the cue…makes no sense, he must be doing a lot experiential based compensation without realizing it.

But, gave it a try today, and I’ll be damned, it did seem to work. So I must be doing said compensation as well or something. I was kinda shocked actually, still don’t logically get it but had an easier time making balls with spin using this cue than in the past for sure.
 
Poolmanis said:
Yes. Carbon fiber shafts have about 15% better energy transfer to ball. That why i want to switch from Z3 shaft to 11.8 Revo. Deflection is about same but i would like to get more power with less effort. I could do it just using hard tips but i like soft ones.
Now money is tight and Revo need is not so urgent, I can wait some :)
Click to expand...
So my honest question is why...? Is there some shot in the game that you run across that requires an additional 15% of power that you can't seem to generate with the Z3...?

Personally I don't find a struggle generating power with my old Z2 or the 11.6mm wx900 I play with during game play.
 
Well when I can play like Willie Mosconi with a Wood Shaft, maybe I am good enough to onsite an equipment upgrade to be better.

So I can go to DCC and Win One Pocket Eve nt. LOL
 
The_JV said:
So my honest question is why...? Is there some shot in the game that you run across that requires an additional 15% of power that you can't seem to generate with the Z3...?
Click to expand...
I have a hard enough time controlling the cue ball already, maybe I need a shaft with 15% LESS power. :LOL:
 
I like the responsiveness, feedback, vibration and hum of a wood shaft. It’s like an instrument, each one plays a bit differently. I bought a revo but it’s just so different I didn’t feel like starting over with aiming. I’m used to all the squirt , deflection and masse from the wood. I use it to get position because I can’t play position well.


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