Are break cues nessessary '?

[bigshooter]

Not necessarily, my playing cue is 18oz, and I played with a 18oz break for a long time, had a really good break. Got shipped a 26 Oz break just to try their product for free and never looked back. I had the same thought as you at one time

Some people do well with a heavy breaker, I break poorly with a heavy breaker but everyone is different. That's why they make lots of styles, configurations and weights. Whatever works best for the individual.

My opinion is that a player that has never owned a breaker should start with what feels the most familiar then experiment from there. But that's just my opinion.

 

[Baron]

Not necessary, but for me it's definitely worth the 150 or whatever I spent on my break cue to not have to deal with my soft-ish playing tip mushrooming all the damned time. Christ, that's annoying.

 

[DJ14.1]

What do you break with? I'm thinking of getting a break cue...I'm just thinking does it matter if you get a "break" cue or will anyone do? What do you guys recommend

Yes a dedicated break cue is generally a good idea if you're even remotely serious about the game. Get one that fits your personal style for breaking the hardest and with the most control. Those are competing ideas, so it's usually a question of weight, balance, and tip selection.

Spending a ton of money isn't necessary, but the cues that have weight bolt kits might be a good idea since you can adjust the weight to find what's best for you.

 

[OneIron]

Breaking with your playing cue compresses the tip and can possibly damage the ferrule. You can pick up a break cue for under $100. No reason not to...

 

[Bavafongoul]

Any house cue will suffice as a breaking cue if it has a decent tip and is straight........break cues are over-rated.

 

[ZeroSkylineX]

Noob question but what are the benefits of an ivory ferrule? I understand that they're way more expensive, hard to obtain but that's it. How do you tell if it's an ivory ferrule or not just from looking?

 

[Bavafongoul]

Ivory ferrules are indeed durable......all my cues have ivory ferrules.......but I suggest not breaking with them.......needless risk exposure.......ivory joints are also durable..........my cues have flat ivory joints......but again, I don't break with them and thus I avoid unnecessary risk.........And besides, all my tips have been perfectly contoured and shaped exactly the way I want.......why would I want to pound them out of shape just to break the rack?

 

[warriorpoet62]

You don't putt with a 9 iron....

 

[Ak Guy]

Well.........

If your really serious about your game and plan on getting better I would get a break cue and a separate jump cue and they would have different tips. I'm a bit above average for my hick town and I have a cheap jump cue with a hard Samsara tip I plan on replacing and a really cool looking Diviney Ebony jump/break with a hard Samsara tip. Last time I was clocked I was hitting about 20 mph on my break shot, not exactly a barn burner as far as breaks go, so I could get by with out a break cue.

I mainly use Diviney Lake Salvage shafts and one of them wears a black medium Kamui tip and I often break with it. I have an OB Classic, but I won't break with it and probably wouldn't with most laminated shafts. I guess the average player does not need one. But buying cool gear for any sport or hobby is fun, so get one if you can.