anyone play with a phenolic tip?

[JB Cases]

so last night I had a very interesting thing happen...

I broke the tip of my normal playing shaft (Z shaft, triangle tip), so I'm using my backup shaft (OB1-sniper tip)... It takes me a bit longer to get in stroke using the OB1, mainly because of the larger width and a completely different tip... and frankly I just can't get the same action on certain shots... but I seem to be more acurate with the OB1 on standard straight in's and easily shots...

I've complained about my Z not being "lively" enough and it taking alot of effort to shroke certain shots that require me to get around the table... well the OB is a step up in the livelyness, but again the width of the tip is a bit more than Im used to and there is a missing comfort factor on certain shots... I've switched back and forth between the two shafts for awhile and the guys I play with say they can't really tell a drop off, or improvement in my play regardless of shaft... they say it seems I play the same with either shaft... but I feel different playing with the two...

But anyway to my story... I also have a predator BK2 break shaft (phenolic tip) so I'm messing around banging balls last night and I decided to use the break shaft (despite hating that awful *tink* sound everytime you hit a ball)... it was wierd, I hit a gear using that shaft/tip I have only rarely hit with the others... I was getting around the table with no effort, every shot took the simplest, softest stroke... it dint seem that my english was suffering much either, actually being able to get around the table so easily required me to use less english on most shots... again the *tink* sound is pretty annoying but damn!! that's what Ive been missing/looking for... effortless action around the table... Im not sure if I just hit a "focus gear" last night or if it was indeed the shaft/tip combo but IM going to keep playing with it and find out... it was awesome. lol.

anyone else play with a break shaft? anyone use a phenolic tip on their everyday player or have any experience with it?

I have played with my phenolic tipped break cues many times. Twice I beat UPA "pros" in short sets using one. One of them quit me after I beat on him for an hour, running out from everywhere.

I will often play with them just to show people that you can.

The only real limitation for me is that it's harder to control when you do need to draw your rock or force follow. What I really mean by this and it's just my personal experience is that it's EASIER to hit the ball in the wrong spot/miscue when trying to use heavy draw or follow. BUT it can be done as I have also played near perfect pool using a Phenolic tipped cue several times.

Once I won a couple hundred in a bar when I told the guy I would play with my phenolic tipped break cue and he thought he was stealing.

Another time I got 2 games going to five in one pocket playing a guy for $100 against one of our Bunjee Jumpers with the stipulation that I would play using only the jump cue and no jump shots allowed. The opponent thought he was in a stone cold trap when I ran eight and out the first game with the jump cue. He still beat me 5:4 :-(

12 Squared probably remembers that one as it happened out in LA at the LA Expo.

 

[Beware_of_Dawg]

Okay, so I gave this roughly a week.

So I have played very well with this Phenolic tip and breakshaft for the most part... same as usual, some nights better than others but all nights I felt better than I had been shoooting (baseline). I did have my OB1 with me and the cue put togather and sitting there... I did switch back to the OB here and there but just found myself going back to the BK2/Pheno everytime...

So in this time, I got some "Milkdud" tips (hard) and put one on my Z shaft, got it all cleaned up, shaft conditioned, etc.. looking PERTY. Went to the hall last night to put the ole' girl back to work...

I tried, really I tried.

my dearest Z,

I'm sorry I think I've fallen in love with another women. Yes, she's hard and cold... and I have to message her with chalk all the time. I know her sound is annoying and no one has ever really considered her an everyday girlfriend. But, I think I've found something special. She's fun to be with, and she's got great tips. You know I'll always care for you and you'll have no trouble finding another man, your gorgeous and a hell of a catch. PLease be happy for me, I hope we can still be friends.

LOve As always,
~D4\/\/G~

 

[PetToilet]

so.. do people really use phenolic tips for playing cues?

 

[Nine Ball]

Funny thing, I could run a rack, Spin, draw, whatever with a predator bk2 and phenolic tip. But I couldn't break for crap with it.

I only had it to sell and gave it a try. I was not impressed with how it broke.

 

[Beware_of_Dawg]

so.. do people really use phenolic tips for playing cues?

Yes, I have been. I can draw, spin, masse, etc with it. I can do anything with this shaft/tip that I can do with my Z shaft/Milkdud, or my OB1/Sniper... What I can't do with them that I can do with the BK2/Phenolic is get around the table effortlessly and break. Only real problem I have is getting bucked from the horse, gotta be really soft on the gas pedal or she gets away from me. But controlling the horsepower, is considerabley easier than constantly needing to stomp on the pedal with the other shafts to get around multi rail banks, etc..

 

[PetToilet]

Yes, I have been. I can draw, spin, masse, etc with it. I can do anything with this shaft/tip that I can do with my Z shaft/Milkdud, or my OB1/Sniper... What I can't do with them that I can do with the BK2/Phenolic is get around the table effortlessly and break. Only real problem I have is getting bucked from the horse, gotta be really soft on the gas pedal or she gets away from me. But controlling the horsepower, is considerabley easier than constantly needing to stomp on the pedal with the other shafts to get around multi rail banks, etc..

how did your triangle compare to the milkdud? i got milkduds on the way because they are pressed so i figure they'd be better consistency wise from tip to tip, but like triangles for their general hardness.

 

[shankster8]

Funny thing, I could run a rack, Spin, draw, whatever with a predator bk2 and phenolic tip. But I couldn't break for crap with it.

I only had it to sell and gave it a try. I was not impressed with how it broke.

I like the feel of my BK2 shaft so much that I had a Kamui tip put on it for shooting. I wasn't impressed with it as a breaker because it didn't hard enough - I am guessing that the relatively thick carbon fiber pad is somewhat mushy, since phenolic isn't.

 

[Beware_of_Dawg]

how did your triangle compare to the milkdud?.

Harder, less "grippy".

 

[Chi2dxa]

so last night I had a very interesting thing happen...

I broke the tip of my normal playing shaft (Z shaft, triangle tip), so I'm using my backup shaft (OB1-sniper tip)... It takes me a bit longer to get in stroke using the OB1, mainly because of the larger width and a completely different tip... and frankly I just can't get the same action on certain shots... but I seem to be more acurate with the OB1 on standard straight in's and easily shots...

I've complained about my Z not being "lively" enough and it taking alot of effort to shroke certain shots that require me to get around the table... well the OB is a step up in the livelyness, but again the width of the tip is a bit more than Im used to and there is a missing comfort factor on certain shots... I've switched back and forth between the two shafts for awhile and the guys I play with say they can't really tell a drop off, or improvement in my play regardless of shaft... they say it seems I play the same with either shaft... but I feel different playing with the two...

But anyway to my story... I also have a predator BK2 break shaft (phenolic tip) so I'm messing around banging balls last night and I decided to use the break shaft (despite hating that awful *tink* sound everytime you hit a ball)... it was wierd, I hit a gear using that shaft/tip I have only rarely hit with the others... I was getting around the table with no effort, every shot took the simplest, softest stroke... it dint seem that my english was suffering much either, actually being able to get around the table so easily required me to use less english on most shots... again the *tink* sound is pretty annoying but damn!! that's what Ive been missing/looking for... effortless action around the table... Im not sure if I just hit a "focus gear" last night or if it was indeed the shaft/tip combo but IM going to keep playing with it and find out... it was awesome. lol.

anyone else play with a break shaft? anyone use a phenolic tip on their everyday player or have any experience with it?

Funny you should ask this question. I have a good friend of mine tell me that he often goes back to his sledge hammer break cue to get himself back to hitting center ball. He is a fantastic player and gave me lessons at one time to I was following my mentors foot steps. This was several years ago and I still do it. I shoot with my Mike Gulyassy Sledge hammer from time to time and it always shoots good but annoys the heck out of everyone that I play and anyone in ear shot of the clink clink clink besides its hard play one pocket with a break cue. So one night my playing cue lets me down in this one particular tournament and I break out my MG and it feels really really good. The next day I find a guy with a lathe and had him cut the phenolic tip off but leave the Ferrell on and install one of my milk duds. I come home and WOW my ball making goes up 3 balls right off the bat...MAN. I figure it’s just my imagination so I take it to a pool room that I never play at just to be under cover and it is not a dream I can play 3 balls better. Well I am in LOVE and can't wait until this Friday to unleash this BAD GIRL on the public. What kill me is that I have had this cue for at least 4 or 5 years before I did this conversion. It’s like being a Millionaire Bachelor going on dates with hot chicks only to find out it was the maid that really loves you and you should have hooked up with her all along. Good luck!!!! I am having to much fun now!!!!

 

[PetToilet]

Harder, less "grippy".

so which did you like better and by how much?

 

[Beware_of_Dawg]

so which did you like better and by how much?

I couldn't tell you. I was ajusted to the triangle, and I haven't taken enough time with the Z & milkdud to tell you... I think I prefer the dud over the standard triangle but...

I'm playing 100% of the time with the BK2 (phenolic) and playing very well. I took the 9ball ghost to the hill on a tight 9 footer a few days ago. I have no reason to play with the Z or my OB.

 

[djpstacked03]

I only break and jump with a phenolic tip. I do know that it may help improve your center ball hits because they are not as forgiving if you hit sidespin. Most likely you will miscue if you hit off of center. I still need a bit of work on my break lately beacuse I switched to phenolic. Sometimes I miscue but when I do hit the rack I usually get a great spread.

 

[Beware_of_Dawg]

I do know that it may help improve your center ball hits because they are not as forgiving if you hit sidespin. Most likely you will miscue if you hit off of center. .

Not true. I can do anything with the cue ball you can do with your tip. I can draw the length of the table and use as much english as could possibly be needed. Just have to keep it well chalked. I never miscue with it.

 

[eldowan]

Not true. I can do anything with the cue ball you can do with your tip. I can draw the length of the table and use as much english as could possibly be needed. Just have to keep it well chalked. I never miscue with it.

Good to see you are still at it.
I don't get the chance to play with my buddies phenolic tip much anymore, but I'm sure happy to see someone has the chance to keep it up.
:thumbup:

 

[Cornerman]

anyone else play with a break shaft? anyone use a phenolic tip on their everyday player or have any experience with it?

Yup. I was using someone's (Samm Diep, but apparently Corey Harper was lending it to her) break cue while she played with her cue during some down time at VF in one of the booths.

The only issue was the inordinate amount of squirt. I also did miscue a couple of times (over the course of hundred shots), but that's what I get for putting gobs of english on a phenolic tip. Chalking well might have helped!

I actually had a couple of break and runs. LOL!!!

Fred

 

[PDX]

Break tip

I'm glad I am not the only one. I often with play with my break cue. I have never had a problem with any type of english, my draw is crazy. I will at times break and continue with the break cue. It is a shame too, since my break cue is a J&J, which I love, but when I have a Runde, a Runde Schon and an old Little Al Romero sneaky to choose from, and I continue to shoot with the break cue. Some times people think I am dumb, but I honestly love to play full games with the break cue.

 

[morthnrdy]

sometimes when i feel out of stoke i will fall back to my break cue which has a phenolic tip on it...makes me return to the center of the cb and refine my mechanics, stroke, etc...before i know it i am back in stroke and if i need to use english or whatever its no problem...i once went through an entire tourney with my break cue cause i was out of stroke so picked my break cue up, got back in stroke and won. i look at it as a good fallback routine/drill once in a while to re-check or correct my mechanics.