1/2 and 1/2 Ferrule: What are the possible benefits?

[prewarhero]

I recently picked up a cue where the original owner had the cue maker install 1/2 an Ivory ferrule under 1/2 a plastic ferrule. I suppose this is an interesting approach to lower mass at the tip for lower deflection, maybe? What am I missing? Are others doing this and if so what implications good or bad would this have?

Thanks,
Jordan

 

[RRfireblade]

Never seen it before.

I'd assume its either like you said, reduced end mass, or to save money on ivory.

Or it was added after and he didn't feel like cutting the whole ferrule off.

?

 

[Cornerman]

I recently picked up a cue where the original owner had the cue maker install 1/2 an Ivory ferrule under 1/2 a plastic ferrule. I suppose this is an interesting approach to lower mass at the tip for lower deflection, maybe? What am I missing? Are others doing this and if so what implications good or bad would this have?

Thanks,
Jordan

The feel or sound of ivory with the hoop strength protection of a... "plastic ferrule."

Sort of like coring I suppose, except opposite where the core is the stabilizer.

Freddie <~~~ and yes, I'm guessing with some logic basis

 

[Island Drive]

I recently picked up a cue where the original owner had the cue maker install 1/2 an Ivory ferrule under 1/2 a plastic ferrule. I suppose this is an interesting approach to lower mass at the tip for lower deflection, maybe? What am I missing? Are others doing this and if so what implications good or bad would this have?

Thanks,
Jordan

Only concern, and it may be of no concern. If the inner is ivory and the outer is phenolic, how would you know if the ivory was cracked? The ivory would have to be very thin and thus even more a concern of cracking and then the repair costs. To me seems like ALLOT of work for what, maybe more work?

 

[LAlouie]

I recently picked up a cue where the original owner had the cue maker install 1/2 an Ivory ferrule under 1/2 a plastic ferrule. I suppose this is an interesting approach to lower mass at the tip for lower deflection, maybe? What am I missing? Are others doing this and if so what implications good or bad would this have?

Thanks,
Jordan

Like a lot of things in life, you have to commit. This sounds like a gimmick.

I'm assuming you mean a plastic ferrule ON TOP OF ivory, but it sounds like you're saying a core ivory with a shell plastic. I don't know which you mean. If it's a core ivory and a shell plastic, it won't do anything about mass or deflection because the ivory core is still prominent through to the tip. Ivory is Ivory, and it's hard.

I just don't get the point, whichever way you mean. It ends up being a feely thing, not as hard as ivory but harder than the plastic and what's the point of that. If you want soft, stay soft, but don't compromise by saying you want soft but yet kinda hard.

There are many ways to change the feel or end mass without going crazy. The easiest is to change the ferrule length and/or tenon through. Most ferrules are capped, ie the tip of the ferrule is solid ferrule(whatever the material). "Tenon through" is when there is no cap and the TENON (a kind of nipple extension of the shaft) is exposed to the leather tip. A variance of ferrule material - ferrule length - cap - no cap(tenon through) and everything in between will give you what you whatever you want.

 

[prewarhero]

I'm sorry I wasn't clear. It is ivory on the bottom half with a top half of plastic and not cored.
Thanks

 

[ShootingArts]

I suspect a repair

I'm sorry I wasn't clear. It is ivory on the bottom half with a top half of plastic and not cored.
Thanks

I suspect that somebody did this as a quicky repair for a cracked or chipped ivory ferrule or to cushion the ivory much like there should always be a pad between ivory ferrules and a tip. I could be wrong but I doubt someone was thinking about end mass when they did this. The final result is something that is neither fish nor fowl.

Hu

 

[prewarhero]

Hu, I suspected the same thing, but the original owner was clear that this was of his choosing and of earnest request. Given that this cue is a custom player cue (from a very highly respectable maker) that the owner was a thoughtful judicious person and I was leaning more towards there being some kind of feel/hit benefit that I was unaware of. Hmmmm...

 

[ShootingArts]

narry a clue then

Hu, I suspected the same thing, but the original owner was clear that this was of his choosing and of earnest request. Given that this cue is a custom player cue (from a very highly respectable maker) that the owner was a thoughtful judicious person and I was leaning more towards there being some kind of feel/hit benefit that I was unaware of. Hmmmm...

There are so many things to make ferrules out of I can't begin to guess what benefit they were seeking. Softer hitting than ivory with more flex is possible but why back that up with ivory instead of just a shorter ferrule?

I have to admit I am clueless what they were doing or trying to do.

Hu

 

[RRfireblade]

Hu, I suspected the same thing, but the original owner was clear that this was of his choosing and of earnest request. Given that this cue is a custom player cue (from a very highly respectable maker) that the owner was a thoughtful judicious person and I was leaning more towards there being some kind of feel/hit benefit that I was unaware of. Hmmmm...

I know this is going to sound crazy but if he told you that much..... why don't you just ask him the rest.

IMO, there's nothing at all to gain by doing that. Nothing.

The ONLY thing I would have granted was if the Ivory was under the tip then I MIGHT say he did for maintance/appearance as Ivory does not stain from chalk as plastic does.

Last ditch would be to just call the Cue builder and ask.

 

[prewarhero]

I know this is going to sound crazy but if he told you that much..... why don't you just ask him the rest.

IMO, there's nothing at all to gain by doing that. Nothing.

The ONLY thing I would have granted was if the Ivory was under the tip then I MIGHT say he did for maintance/appearance as Ivory does not stain from chalk as plastic does.

Last ditch would be to just call the Cue builder and ask.

Gee, I hadn't thought of that. Seriously, I tried. he is no longer responsive + language barrier (he is Asian, could this be an Asian thing?). The cue maker is not returning calls either (trying to get on his waiting list). Well, i thought it hit nice, but barring any other intel I will proceed with getting a new ferrule put on.

Thanks all

 

[LAlouie]

Whatever was the point of using ivory, it was negated by the plastic, and visa versa. What he's done is made it possible that at some future point the ferrule will split where it is joined. The plastic will either pop off or you'll hear a clicking noise if it loosens.

 

[ShootingArts]

why are you swapping?

Gee, I hadn't thought of that. Seriously, I tried. he is no longer responsive + language barrier (he is Asian, could this be an Asian thing?). The cue maker is not returning calls either (trying to get on his waiting list). Well, i thought it hit nice, but barring any other intel I will proceed with getting a new ferrule put on.

Thanks all

If it hits nice and isn't damaged I'd play with it until it did give trouble if it ever does. Never a disadvantage to distract your opponents wondering what that ferrule is about. :thumbup:

I don't really like mixing organic and inorganic materials but if it isn't broken why fix it? You may figure out the advantage as you play with it.

Always interesting to try something different, never know what you may discover.

Hu