I'm on a fishing expedition here. Trying to figure out why the engineers went this route and so far, that's all I could come up with.
Just when I thot I'd seen it all...
- Thread starter Mensabum
- Start date
So these aren't new??
I had no idea they'd been around since the 90s, if that's the case.
My thots were along the lines of helping new players as well.
At least I got that part right.
A smart OP prolly would've searched AZ b4 wasting a post on this.
Thanks for the info.
Agree.
Hey Paul,
with all that weight in the front, you'd think deflection would be off the charts.
I wonder how they overcame that, or if they were able to??
It seems antithetical to the premise.
The closer the center of mass is to the object you're striking, the more control you have. The further away, less.
Doesn't take into acct deflection, or does it??
Devil's advocate here.
A friend wanted me to post this topic. Hope your links and the responses keeps him from buying one of these.
Paul Bell
Well-known member
Mensabum:
I could not find that word at Black Blade's website except for a customer's comments. Its possible that the weight is lightened in the first few inches of the shaft that causes deflection (but I doubt it). The customer:
I was always afraid of a heavy shaft becaue they say it increases deflection. Well this FWD carbon fiber shaft has very low deflection….I did a very amateur test and it is well under 1.0 deflection. I guess combining the light butt with the shaft make it work. I hit much more solid more often.
Tell your friend to buy one. Report here what he finds. The worst that can happen is he is out $100 but he gets to test a cue that is really different and makes differences more than that of hit and sound.
As far as more control if the center of mass is closer to object you are striking, this is especially true with hitting the cue ball close to the rail and you lift the back end of the cue stick. One customer mentions that:
It's hard to miscue with shots off the rail. The cue tip doesn't bounce off the ball during these dreaded shots. This cue masse's better than any other carbon fiber shaft, and I've owned 4
Here are more customer comments from Black Blade including that the Black Blade cue is sentient; its best use is as a break cue; its a cure for jabbing the ball; and Black Blade is very good if you have to return the cue:
I have played pool for over 30 years, was a BCA Master division competitor, Advanced level Instructor and Senior National Referee. This is the most innovative thing since the introduction of laminate then carbon fiber shafts. I am really excited to play with this cue. I am more confident with better control and accuracy. It is a very different feel than a traditional balance cue. If you give it a chance, the benefits will help anyone's game. Signed Thomas Payne, September 2025
Since shooting with this stick, my style has changed considerably. Several very good shooters have taken me aside and told me how much better I am doing. I always mention Black Blade Carbon. Because I feel this is the main reason for my new growth spurt. I know it sounds corny, but it is almost as if the stick knows what you are thinking and responds to your thinking
I got the full carbon fiber break cue. I was a little hesitant since the price is $550, but I love it, especially on rail breaks or 2nd ball 8 ball breaks, the forward weight keeps the cue tip down on the rail and does not raise up like my old breaker with the weight in the back did.
Had a little trouble getting use to the feel. It is so different, but once I got to hitting some balls, it felt great. I went back and got a break cue too.
Great product. DJ I am a over 600 fargo player and wanted to try one of these out… so I bought a Style 21 with a 12.4mm 8 oz shaft, total weight 19oz. I can see how it will benefit a lower skill lever player, keeping down and a better through stroke, but it would take too long for me to adjust. I will say this for them, it was easy to send it back for the cash refund
The fact that the weight is in the front make it so much easier to shoot solid. I am gaining confidence since I no longer jab at the cue ball. When I am ready for a break cue I will get another Black Blade Carbon
I like the feel of weight pulling butt forward with minimal effort, instantly smooths my stroke, and cue feels balanced on all types of shots.
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What the heck??
Can't thank you enuf for all of this info Paul!!
You did me solid and I owe you one.
The reason I was trying to turn my friend's head was the cue he was looking at cost a grand!!
I thot that was a lot of coin for what I believed to be a prototype.
Thanks to you, I now know he can basically rent one.
I'd love to see the engineering specs on these. Some real world numbers on deflection, weight to mass ratio, impact parameters, etc...What the heck??
Can't thank you enuf for all of this info Paul!!
You did me solid and I owe you one.
The reason I was trying to turn my friend's head was the cue he was looking at cost a grand!!
I thot that was a lot of coin for what I believed to be a prototype.
Thanks to you, I now know he can basically rent one.
5 pins players like to have system to move the weight forward for certain shots.
for example https://vaulacues.com/sistema-vibraless/
I asked one time what was the point of it on a carom forum. Somebody said forward balance helps imparting more action on the cue ball, rear balance help shoot straighter (reduce deflexion I think)
I think having more weight in the shaft share the same idea.
I'm just parroting here, I am too bad at this game to share my opinion.
for example https://vaulacues.com/sistema-vibraless/
I asked one time what was the point of it on a carom forum. Somebody said forward balance helps imparting more action on the cue ball, rear balance help shoot straighter (reduce deflexion I think)
I think having more weight in the shaft share the same idea.
I'm just parroting here, I am too bad at this game to share my opinion.
Did somebody say how?
Deflection is caused by the mass of the first several inches of the shaft, not the cue’s overall balance.
pj
chgo
Well late again and only part way but I recall when the pole vaulting equipment changed. The flex in the shaft is a huge factor. Cole's knowledge was freely dispensed as I drove him. He stated that 2 cues made by the same to the same specs would still feel totally different to him. 
"I wouldn't be able to shoot with that cue now." Is what he said of the cue I bought from him. A Joss made to his specs kept on file as he often put the cue up as a last barrel.
"I wouldn't be able to shoot with that cue now." Is what he said of the cue I bought from him. A Joss
made to his specs kept on file as he often put the cue up as a last barrel.
The flex in the shaft and hardness of the tip effect how long the tip to ball contact lasts.
The soft rubber paddles replacing sand paper in table tennis is an interesting study. Marty Reisman had such crazy skills with the hard sandpaper that he did halftime shows with The Harlem Globe Trotters. The soft rubber paddles changed the game from precision to power.
The soft rubber paddles replacing sand paper in table tennis is an interesting study. Marty Reisman had such crazy skills with the hard sandpaper that he did halftime shows with The Harlem Globe Trotters. The soft rubber paddles changed the game from precision to power.
Straight pool favors a stiffer shaft for precision while 9 ball often requires the extra boost that the flex can provide just like the pole vault.
A couple of thoughts.
The comment by a customer that it is good for tail shots makes sense. I have the Pat Fleming Counter Weight and it does help on rail shots or when you are bridging over a ball.
Second, I think these cues might be beneficial for very short players who of necessity have their grip hand much farther forward.
As an extreme example I know a dwarf who plays about 500 Fargo (despite knee and hip issues that mean he also has to use crutches). Because he’s so short he has to hold the cue very far forward so the balance is off. And a shorter cue also doesn’t work well because he often has to move his hand back and use a long bridge to reach certain shots. Unfortunately these cues are out of his price range.
The comment by a customer that it is good for tail shots makes sense. I have the Pat Fleming Counter Weight and it does help on rail shots or when you are bridging over a ball.
Second, I think these cues might be beneficial for very short players who of necessity have their grip hand much farther forward.
As an extreme example I know a dwarf who plays about 500 Fargo (despite knee and hip issues that mean he also has to use crutches). Because he’s so short he has to hold the cue very far forward so the balance is off. And a shorter cue also doesn’t work well because he often has to move his hand back and use a long bridge to reach certain shots. Unfortunately these cues are out of his price range.
Short players got no reason
Short players got no reason
Short players got no reason
To live
They got little arms
And little eyes
And they walk around the table
Tellin' great big lies
They got little noses
And tiny little teeth
They wear platform shoes
On their nasty little feet
Ha Ha!! Same here.
This stuff is all new to me. Don't keep up on the gear as well as I should.A couple of thoughts.
The comment by a customer that it is good for tail shots makes sense. I have the Pat Fleming Counter Weight and it does help on rail shots or when you are bridging over a ball.
Second, I think these cues might be beneficial for very short players who of necessity have their grip hand much farther forward.
As an extreme example I know a dwarf who plays about 500 Fargo (despite knee and hip issues that mean he also has to use crutches). Because he’s so short he has to hold the cue very far forward so the balance is off. And a shorter cue also doesn’t work well because he often has to move his hand back and use a long bridge to reach certain shots. Unfortunately these cues are out of his price range.
So adding a few ozs up there can make that much diff?? Hmmm... Thanks!!
Paul Bell
Well-known member
That's five ounces in the Counter-Weight and would double the weight of a normal shaft --- or enough to match the weight of the maximum weight of a Black Blade shaft.
This stuff is all new to me. Don't keep up on the gear as well as I should.
So adding a few ozs up there can make that much diff?? Hmmm... Thanks!!
The counter weight is not commonly used, but it is a good gadget for those rare situations. I don’t think it would work on normal shots - it’s kinda in the way.