Clean shaft vs Dirty shaft

[Onepocketking1]

Hello AZBilliards Family, some say that a clean shaft gives more cue ball action than a dirty shaft. This is primarily for players that still shoot with wood shafts. Wood shafts show when they’re dirty cause of the chalk build up. I’ve seen very good players with dirty shafts and they get all the cue ball action they need. As for me, I wipe down my cue after shooting before putting my cue away, I try to anyway. Looks pretty clean to me but after wiping the shaft with a damp paper towel, still gets some bluing on the paper. I don’t notice any difference in cue ball action. Just want to know your thoughts on this.

 

[straightline]

The cleaner the shaft the more consistent the touch. I use synthetic car products towards that end.

 

[dquarasr]

Hello AZBilliards Family, some say that a clean shaft gives more cue ball action than a dirty shaft. This is primarily for players that still shoot with wood shafts. Wood shafts show when they’re dirty cause of the chalk build up. I’ve seen very good players with dirty shafts and they get all the cue ball action they need. As for me, I wipe down my cue after shooting before putting my cue away, I try to anyway. Looks pretty clean to me but after wiping the shaft with a damp paper towel, still gets some bluing on the paper. I don’t notice any difference in cue ball action. Just want to know your thoughts on this.

Please explain how a clean shaft imparts more action on the cue ball. Color me skeptical.

I suppose one could argue that a dirty shaft is sticky and can slow a cue’s movement through the fingers compared to a clean one but that’s a stretch. A player would simply shoot harder without ever realizing that the speed is lower than that with a clean shaft.

 

[Hail Mary Shot]

Hello AZBilliards Family, some say that a clean shaft gives more cue ball action than a dirty shaft. This is primarily for players that still shoot with wood shafts. Wood shafts show when they’re dirty cause of the chalk build up. I’ve seen very good players with dirty shafts and they get all the cue ball action they need. As for me, I wipe down my cue after shooting before putting my cue away, I try to anyway. Looks pretty clean to me but after wiping the shaft with a damp paper towel, still gets some bluing on the paper. I don’t notice any difference in cue ball action. Just want to know your thoughts on this.

I dont see the logic why a clean or dirty shaft would make a difference. Are you referring to shaft per se or pool cue tip, since we are talking about cueball action.

 

[Onepocketking1]

Please explain how a clean shaft imparts more action on the cue ball. Color me skeptical.

I suppose one could argue that a dirty shaft is sticky and can slow a cue’s movement through the fingers compared to a clean one but that’s a stretch. A player would simply shoot harder without ever realizing that the speed is lower than that with a clean

The chalk that gets built up in the shaft supposedly changes the flex of the shaft.

 

[couldnthinkof01]

I know a guy that plays with a 40+ year old McDermott. Never touches the shaft. Does his own tips. It's literally never been cleaned.
He still gets the cue ball to dance when he needs to.

 

[Onepocketking1]

I dont see the logic why a clean or dirty shaft would make a difference. Are you referring to shaft per se or pool cue tip, since we are talking about cueball action.

The chalk that gets in the pores supposedly changes the flex of the shaft.

 

[garczar]

Is it April 1st?? Seriously, NO. Not happening. Even on a really dirty/chalky shaft the chalk residue is only soaking in a TINY bit, not anything that is going to change how he shaft hits. Been playing nearly 50yrs and this is first time i've ever heard this come up. Pure BS.

 

[Straight shooter]

My thinking is if you never clean your shaft that all the chalk residue will build up over time along with all the other crap that gets on the shaft. I guess it might be possible that the pours in the wood gets clogged with all that shift and doesn't let the wood breath and get stiffer over time. It's been recommended for decades to clean your cue and wax it

 

[Onepocketking1]

Is it April 1st?? Seriously, NO. Not happening. Even on a really dirty/chalky shaft the chalk residue is only soaking in a TINY bit, not anything that is going to change how he shaft hits. Been playing nearly 50yrs and this is first time i've ever heard this come up. Pure BS.

I thought it was BS as well.

 

[gregcantrall]

your thoughts on this.

The stain that chalk has left on my shaft is patina. It does not reflect how clean the shaft is. My habit of wiping the shaft with a tightly squeezed damp paper towel until it squeaks has made it noticeably darker. It has no effect on how smooth it is. It's uh well seasoned and as smooth as a babies behind.

 

[maha]

the cleaner the shaft a person has the more likely he is a banger.

 

[straightline]

It's the friction guys. Any degree of friction over minimum comes out of your muscles, touch, and cue speed.

 

[Straightpool_99]

The chalk that gets built up in the shaft supposedly changes the flex of the shaft.

I don't think so. Chalk is an abrasive, so the chalk will burrow in and stain the shaft. If you let the chalk build up withouth wiping down the cue, it will not glide smoothly through the fingers, which will make fine cueball control more difficult. However, a shaft that has some blueing and is otherwise clean (on the surface) will not have this problem.

I use a special cue wax (solid piece) I bought from a cuemaker to seal the shaft, and I wipe it down after each session. Then I use the wax to seal and a pad to burnish. The wax prevents the chalk from getting into the wood pores and staining it. I sometimes use cue-papers sparingly just to even the surface, without taking off any wood, just evening the wax layer. My shafts look brand new, even the ones that are many years old. And they glide very smoothly through my fingers, though I sometimes use a glove if it's very humid.