Are Jump/Break Cues good enough?

Jive

Jive

Professional Racker
Silver Member
It never struck me to buy my own break cue since i'm always playing with the same few buddies of mine and combined they have a couple of BK2s and MEZZ break cues. They've all told me not to buy a break cue since we've got so many lying around and it's not like they're constantly being used, plus we're running out of space to rest the cues...
However lately i've been going around playing in different places sometimes alone, so i've been thinking about buying my own breaker. Am working on a custom player now and am planning to make a breaker that matches the player i am building.

I'm not a big fan of lugging big bulky cases around, so for now the GTF i'm using is perfect for me. If i add a breaker, it's not a problem as i'm working with JB on a sleek envelope case to fit 2x4. But the problem comes when i want to include a jumper. I don't like jumping...well i'm not very good at it to begin with..somehow going off rails and getting to balls makes me much more comfortable and i get a better sense of where my CB ends up. But there will always come a point where jumping is necessary so i'm sure a couple more months down the road i'll need to re-visit the issue of buying a jumper.

And here's the golden question after such a lengthy story... Are Jump Break Cues good enough for the purpose of doing both, or is it absolutely best to have a seperate cue to each purpose? I was thinking of just doing a Jump/Break cue, it's so much more convenient but i also don't want to sacrifice the play for convenience since i'll still be spending good money on it. I see some production companies have stopped producing jump/break cues(Predator and Pechauer) while a small portion are still producing them(MEZZ).
I'm not sure if this is a pure marketing strategy since it's obviously more profitable to be selling 2 cues than 1, or is it genuinely proven to be much better to have specialised cue and because they are built so very differently? The irony is that i still see jump/break cues being sought after in this forum and people are still looking for or trading them.

I'd really like to hear your opinions so that i know which direction to go for, however please don't tell me things like "it's the indian not the arrow", "give a pro a broom stick and he can jump and break..", "it all depends on what you are comfortable with.." .... These logic and REALITY i know, i understand and i accept them. The opinions/pros & cons i'm really after is the science and engineering behind a 2 in 1 Jump/Break Cue and a specialise break cue and jump cue. Is it really there, does it really work significantly?

I'm new here but i've been reading quite a bit on this forum including older post, and i don't mean to be rude with my last paragraph but i've seen some smart-aleck answers floating around...some just seem to post replies for the sake of upping their "posts" counts :D .

I'm here to learn and i'm curious to know more....thanks guys.
 
jive said:
It never struck me to buy my own break cue since i'm always playing with the same few buddies of mine and combined they have a couple of BK2s and MEZZ break cues. They've all told me not to buy a break cue since we've got so many lying around and it's not like they're constantly being used, plus we're running out of space to rest the cues...
However lately i've been going around playing in different places sometimes alone, so i've been thinking about buying my own breaker. Am working on a custom player now and am planning to make a breaker that matches the player i am building.

I'm not a big fan of lugging big bulky cases around, so for now the GTF i'm using is perfect for me. If i add a breaker, it's not a problem as i'm working with JB on a sleek envelope case to fit 2x4. But the problem comes when i want to include a jumper. I don't like jumping...well i'm not very good at it to begin with..somehow going off rails and getting to balls makes me much more comfortable and i get a better sense of where my CB ends up. But there will always come a point where jumping is necessary so i'm sure a couple more months down the road i'll need to re-visit the issue of buying a jumper.

And here's the golden question after such a lengthy story... Are Jump Break Cues good enough for the purpose of doing both, or is it absolutely best to have a seperate cue to each purpose? I was thinking of just doing a Jump/Break cue, it's so much more convenient but i also don't want to sacrifice the play for convenience since i'll still be spending good money on it. I see some production companies have stopped producing jump/break cues(Predator and Pechauer) while a small portion are still producing them(MEZZ).
I'm not sure if this is a pure marketing strategy since it's obviously more profitable to be selling 2 cues than 1, or is it genuinely proven to be much better to have specialised cue and because they are built so very differently? The irony is that i still see jump/break cues being sought after in this forum and people are still looking for or trading them.

I'd really like to hear your opinions so that i know which direction to go for, however please don't tell me things like "it's the indian not the arrow", "give a pro a broom stick and he can jump and break..", "it all depends on what you are comfortable with.." .... These logic and REALITY i know, i understand and i accept them. The opinions/pros & cons i'm really after is the science and engineering behind a 2 in 1 Jump/Break Cue and a specialise break cue and jump cue. Is it really there, does it really work significantly?

I'm new here but i've been reading quite a bit on this forum including older post, and i don't mean to be rude with my last paragraph but i've seen some smart-aleck answers floating around...some just seem to post replies for the sake of upping their "posts" counts :D .

I'm here to learn and i'm curious to know more....thanks guys.
Click to expand...

Perhaps its obvious but I'll use the analogy of the combined Washing Machine/Tumbledryer. Yes they will work okay, but never as good as if you had specialised machines doing each task.

J/B seem more convenient to most people but I don't understand that much if I'm honest. You use the equipment that is going to make you a better player, and a specialised jump will outperform a one that is part of a breaker (assuming you try similar standard quality products)

I like a Break cue with a forward balance, and a jump cue that is super light. If I used a J/B, it wouldnt be possible to get a comfortable balance between the 2 for me.

As with everything though its apples and oranges and Im only offering my opinion.

If you do go for one, get the Poison VX - apparently outjumps the Predator Air and is VERY good value for money. :)
 
For the break, you generally want your cue ball to jump as little as possible so that it transfers maximum energy to the rack and stays on the table after a hard break. For a jump, you want the cue ball to get in the air as quickly and effortlessly as possible to avoid hitting a blocking ball. These two factors are at odds with eachother in a jump/break and will compromise the performance you have at either activity.

The advantage of having a jump/break is cost and convenience. If you can live without the absolute best performance in either category, a jump/break is probably your best value.
 
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BFrench501 said:
Perhaps its obvious but I'll use the analogy of the combined Washing Machine/Tumbledryer. Yes they will work okay, but never as good as if you had specialised machines doing each task.

J/B seem more convenient to most people but I don't understand that much if I'm honest. You use the equipment that is going to make you a better player, and a specialised jump will outperform a one that is part of a breaker (assuming you try similar standard quality products)

I like a Break cue with a forward balance, and a jump cue that is super light. If I used a J/B, it wouldnt be possible to get a comfortable balance between the 2 for me.

As with everything though its apples and oranges and Im only offering my opinion.

If you do go for one, get the Poison VX - apparently outjumps the Predator Air and is VERY good value for money. :)
Click to expand...


this is a good point. myself, i have a heavy case to bring out with me. i decided to go with a jump break and like it a lot. i got it more for the breaking to be honest. i see the jump part as a bonus. i ended up getting a mace, which i highly recommend, and i feel my standards are very high. i have been jumping more and more since i got this cue (obvious?), so maybe one day a "real" jump cue is in the cards.... i personally think the real move however is continued development of kicking skill.

i forgot to answer the ops question, haha. i totally think this combo is good enough. i definitely get the jumping ability i need out of it, and mine breaks outstanding for me. i was def more in it for the breaking, but the jumper does what i need, and then some. im sure a jump only cue would outperform it though.
 
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I guess from what i am reading it's still indicative that having a jump cue and a break cue seperate is not just some marketing made up but is infact worth it's weight.

I'd still like more input, especially from users with jump/break cue. How do they fare compared to having 2 different cue besides the convenience?
 
Sledgehammer

I've had a Sledgehammer by Gulyassy for almost 10 years. Unless I have to get in the air very quickly, I don't even break it down. I haven't had a cue dedicated to either; this is it for me. I'm so satisfied that I wouldn't bother changing. I can get over a full so quickly, it's ridiculous. And it breaks incredibly well, too.
Karl
 
Mezz Jump cue

I just purchased a Mezz Air Shooter jump cue hella cheap on ebay, and it jumps a lot better than my Gilbert Jump/Break. The Gilbert smashes the rack though, so I've never considered buying a specialized "break" cue.
 
hi all,

in my opinion i still don t like the *feature* jump-shot. I would be one of the first who would cheer, if the rules would be *resetted* to say no towards using jumpshot-cues.
But back to topic: there are many different jump-shot cues. i tested a 27 euro jumper...and it worked great-easy to use. the 250 dollar jumpcue from a friend did the same.....i saw no difference. (really).

As we re looking at the break-cues. I need the right balance, the right weight and the right tip and a very hard shaft-further i prefer 13.25-13.5 mm for a break-cue.
That s it from my side.
The market is just so big now for these *2 type of cues*-so they will be available forever and so there will be tons of dollars forever.
Some may be good quality but imo the most towards breakers and jumpers are just a matter of marketing.

just my 2 cts.

Ingo
 
I have a Sledgehammer by Gulyassy also. Been using it for 5 years or so.

It does both jobs well enough for me.
 
Ratta said:
hi all,

in my opinion i still don t like the *feature* jump-shot. I would be one of the first who would cheer, if the rules would be *resetted* to say no towards using jumpshot-cues.
But back to topic: there are many different jump-shot cues. i tested a 27 euro jumper...and it worked great-easy to use. the 250 dollar jumpcue from a friend did the same.....i saw no difference. (really).

As we re looking at the break-cues. I need the right balance, the right weight and the right tip and a very hard shaft-further i prefer 13.25-13.5 mm for a break-cue.
That s it from my side.
The market is just so big now for these *2 type of cues*-so they will be available forever and so there will be tons of dollars forever.
Some may be good quality but imo the most towards breakers and jumpers are just a matter of marketing.

just my 2 cts.

Ingo
Click to expand...

Who made the 27 euro jumper?
 
The Anvil

the Anvil J/B will perform as well as any break cue or jump cue made. I have over 25 years in developing my Anvil and I will challenge any one on the planet to produce one that is better. They are coming on sale ($100.00 off) I have either the FT2 patented ferrule/tip or the FT2 with a Samsara tip. I use this tip and jumping and breaking is nothing but another shot. I know I can jump the ball but will I make it and I know I will break the balls good but will I control my cue ball. My cue has a 90 day warranty. Check it out at my web site. Just in case, I also sell the Orange Crusher, a designated break cue with a Samsara tip, and the Grim Reaper, a designated jump cue that weighs the same thing as the cue ball and comes with 3 handles.
 
I like to use special tools for special jobs. I like the Predator Air Jump for a jump cue, it's a great tool.

Some players are using play Cues to break with & since that is their wish to do so, so be it. A good break cue has some features the normal play cue doesn't, so I use a good break cue, a good play cue & a good jump cue, which I can get in a 2-4 case.
 
TheThaiger said:
Who made the 27 euro jumper?
Click to expand...

He bought it at *Dynamic Billiards* in germany. perhaps it was also perhaps 29 euro :)

IIrc Ortmann Billiards is also selling this *cheap* jumper. For a normal *user* priceless nice jumper.

lg
Ingo
 
Interesting read here so I do see two camps here. And also that in terms of engineering the two cues there are some slight difference. Anymore users of jump/break cue who'd like to share your experience and why u didn't opt for 2 separate cues instead?
Am gonna check out the gulyassy cue. Thanks.
 
I have a Varney jump/break..... it works well for both jobs. How often do ya have to jump.
 
I am still debating this question myself! I realized I can't jump with light jump shafts, so dedicated mainstream jumpers are not for me. I do have both Mezz breakers (PB1 and 2), and while they work fantastic, I am thinking I might be ok with a J/B and save the extra space on my case.
 
jive said:
Interesting read here so I do see two camps here. And also that in terms of engineering the two cues there are some slight difference. Anymore users of jump/break cue who'd like to share your experience and why u didn't opt for 2 separate cues instead?
Am gonna check out the gulyassy cue. Thanks.
Click to expand...

I have both a JUMP/Break Mace cue by Rick Howard. It works well. I have a 3 piece Stealth jump cue that is very nice and around $100. I also have a custom Mark Bear Jump Cue with Purpleheart shaft. They all work well for me.
 
My signature say's it all. I wouldn't have it any other way. My BK2 breaks with both power and control, I consistantly make at least 1 ball on the break so that gives me control of the table. My Predator Air get's me out of jams when kicks are a risk, I can jump any ball 3" away with no problem and at minimum make contact and saving a ball in hand foul even if I don't make the shot.

Just my .02, Black Cat :cool:
 
gulyassy said:
the Anvil J/B will perform as well as any break cue or jump cue made. I have over 25 years in developing my Anvil and I will challenge any one on the planet to produce one that is better. They are coming on sale ($100.00 off) I have either the FT2 patented ferrule/tip or the FT2 with a Samsara tip. I use this tip and jumping and breaking is nothing but another shot. I know I can jump the ball but will I make it and I know I will break the balls good but will I control my cue ball. My cue has a 90 day warranty. Check it out at my web site. Just in case, I also sell the Orange Crusher, a designated break cue with a Samsara tip, and the Grim Reaper, a designated jump cue that weighs the same thing as the cue ball and comes with 3 handles.
Click to expand...

Do you have any other extra info on the anvil or grim reaper... all it says for the grim reaper is pretty much "i can out jump all the others" but there is no explanation on how or why it is so :confused:

And do you have any larger pictures?
Thanks
 
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