Are Kamui Clear tips a gimmick???

JoeyA said:
Oh wow. I didn't know Ernie lived in Denver. I visited there several months ago and would loved to have visited his shop.

Maybe next time.

Thanks,
JoeyA
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Hi Joey,

I was in Buffalo Billiards a few weeks ago, pretty late on a Saturday night, I asked Richie Richieson about you. He said you were usually there during the day, but I was leaving the next day so I couldnt make it back..

Lost a few $50 races to 5 with Richie, but had a good time doing it..

P.S.- Did the 2 younger fellas end up playing that 1 hole set the next day (Sunday)? I think Richie said they were playing for 6K or something..?
 
Sealegs50 said:
After they stopped making the Moori III Quick, I went through a bit of trial and error finding a replacement. My current favorite is G2 Hard. But I also really like Kamui Clear Black Medium. I don't think you can go wrong with either if you like hard tips. Very good production quality and very consistent tip-to-tip performance. I can't say that the clear pad adds anything to the feel of a Kamui. But I use ivory ferrules and don't feel the need for a fiber pad with the Kamui Clear.
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I think I recommended that tip to you and sold it to you :thumbup:
 
Sorry I missed you. Tell the bartender or the owner to give me a ring anytime you are in town.

Yes the two younger guys played two sets for 5K each. It took a while but the younger of the two young guys won.

JoeyA

Rain-Man said:
Hi Joey,

I was in Buffalo Billiards a few weeks ago, pretty late on a Saturday night, I asked Richie Richieson about you. He said you were usually there during the day, but I was leaving the next day so I couldnt make it back..

Lost a few $50 races to 5 with Richie, but had a good time doing it..

P.S.- Did the 2 younger fellas end up playing that 1 hole set the next day (Sunday)? I think Richie said they were playing for 6K or something..?
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sfleinen said:
I have to agree, Terry. It seems this product is one created to "fix a problem that doesn't exist." I have never seen a cue repairman worth his salt mount a tip cockeyed or tilted. Amateurs? Sure. Cue repairman in the business, day in and day out? No.

And this idea of glue wicking into the bottom layers -- isn't glue *supposed* to do that, for adhesion purposes? I don't know, I've always been of the impression that glue on any porous surface (as leather is) is supposed to lightly wick into the surface -- think roots of a plant growing into the earth -- to "grab" the material tightly. And it's not like the CA glue is going to completely saturate those layers where they become as hard as the glue itself. Kamui makes it out like if one or two layers become as hard as the glue, that it takes away from the whole tip.

Last I looked, layered tips:

  1. Have their layers glued together to begin with. So between that first layer and the second layer, you already have a non-porous "glue barrier" against the CA glue you're using to glue the tip with. That CA is not going to wick past that first layer.
  2. Are at least five layers thick. Some are seven or more. Even if that first layer is completely compromised by glue wicking (which would have to be literally soaked), you still have at least four layers of good tip material left.

The idea that inconsistencies in how a repairman glues a tip on is going to be removed with this "clear" barrier is, IMHO, nonsense. A repairman that does a shoddy glue job on regular layered tips can just as easily do a shoddy glue job with this Kamui Clear product. It's just marketing.

The tip material itself (the part past that clear layer) is a different matter. That can be a good tip, and I imagine the leather product Kamui uses is. I just don't buy this marketing about the clear layer.

Having said all that, if Kamui is making a product that is popular and makes the company successful, I'm for it, because we need successes in pool. I'm just not a fan of the "eating your own children" style of marketing, and so I think for myself and make my own choices.

-Sean
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Sean,

The concept that you and others are missing is "consistency". Is glue supposed to wick into the layers of leather? Probably. But how much? How does the way I prepare the glue surface of a tip differ from the next installer. Everyone has their own method. As such, everyone will have a *different* amount of glue wicking. Different glues too don't forget. The clear layer essentially eliminates that inconsistency. Glue doesn't "wick" up into the polycarbonate. The result is a more consistenly performing tip.

I personally find that the hit of the clear tips is slightly different. I prefer it. It feels more solid somehow. I'm not talking a big difference. But enough for me to notice.

I don't ever remember hearing Kamui pitch the clear as a way to combat crooked installs. I have however had conversations with John Bertone in which he specifically said exactly what I have said here, and only that.

Does this perhaps make more sense to you?

KMRUNOUT
 
I have more than 50 years of playing pool under my belt........and probably 45 years of buying & selling cues and experimenting with tips.


It's been written that original Moori brown tips are the best.......if it wasn't, then allow me to go on record they were......#1.

The current Moori tips just aren't the same & although it's undoubtedly a good tip, it disappoints versus the original brown Moori tips that are impossible to find and the new Moori tips are not my cup of tea.

I switched to playing Kamui Black medium starting in 2010 and installed them on all my cues. Then I ordered a couple of custom cues and was unsuccessful locating any original Moori brown tips for my two cue-makers. I was going to default to the Kamui Black again but consulted with Tom (Shooter 08) about Kamui Clear.

I am so glad I did that.......the issues with glazing really improved with the Kamui Clear series but the best part is Tom helped me decide to change hardness from medium to soft in the Kamui Clear series. In fact the switch was so pleasant and better, I also tried Kamui Clear super soft as well.

Well, the bottom line is my Prewitt cue has original Moori brown tips and I wish all my cues did. Anyway, since that's not possible and the current Moori tips aren't to my liking, then it's Kamui Clear tips for all my cues. And since all my cues have more than one shaft, every cue has a soft and super soft Kamui Clear tips.......I have two more stunning pool cues being made right now that will be completed next Spring. Until something better comes along, I am strictly sticking with Kamui Clear tips for my pool cues.

Matt B.
 
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