Are there real differences between a carom cue and a pool cue

[Fastolfe]

...apart from the tip diameter and the height of the ferrule? Are shafts made of a different wood? are they balanced differently? I compared the ones I have and they don't seem that different apart from the tip size.

I'm asking because my carom cue got damaged at the club and I'm not all that keen on buying a new one. So if I could get used to playing carom with my pool cue (without damaging it that is), I'd be happy for the time being. I play straight pool more than carom these days anyway.

I know there are carom cues with 1/2" diameter tips, so I fail to see how they differ from regular sized pool cues. If you experts are aware of other differences, I'd be curious to know more.

Also, if I finally decide to get a cue custom-made (which I'm thinking more and more these days), I may be able to order a cue with a pool shaft and a carom shaft, and have two great cues in the same case.

 

[rhncue]

...apart from the tip diameter and the height of the ferrule? Are shafts made of a different wood? are they balanced differently? I compared the ones I have and they don't seem that different apart from the tip size.

I'm asking because my carom cue got damaged at the club and I'm not all that keen on buying a new one. So if I could get used to playing carom with my pool cue (without damaging it that is), I'd be happy for the time being. I play straight pool more than carom these days anyway.

I know there are carom cues with 1/2" diameter tips, so I fail to see how they differ from regular sized pool cues. If you experts are aware of other differences, I'd be curious to know more.

Also, if I finally decide to get a cue custom-made (which I'm thinking more and more these days), I may be able to order a cue with a pool shaft and a carom shaft, and have two great cues in the same case.

Most carom cues have a very, very stiff shaft and a stiff butt. I just put a tip on a Schuler billiard cue that was around a 12 mm at the tip but was about 14 mm 3 inch back and just kept on getting larger.

Dick

 

[macguy]

...apart from the tip diameter and the height of the ferrule? Are shafts made of a different wood? are they balanced differently? I compared the ones I have and they don't seem that different apart from the tip size.

I'm asking because my carom cue got damaged at the club and I'm not all that keen on buying a new one. So if I could get used to playing carom with my pool cue (without damaging it that is), I'd be happy for the time being. I play straight pool more than carom these days anyway.

I know there are carom cues with 1/2" diameter tips, so I fail to see how they differ from regular sized pool cues. If you experts are aware of other differences, I'd be curious to know more.

Also, if I finally decide to get a cue custom-made (which I'm thinking more and more these days), I may be able to order a cue with a pool shaft and a carom shaft, and have two great cues in the same case.

If you are a billiard player who is used to playing with your pool cue the difference is shocking. I played billiards for 30 years before I played with a Helmstetter billiard cue. It was night and day. Also, most billiard cues are light, around 17 ounces or less and shorter. It would be hard to play both games with the same cue by just changing the shaft, the differences needed are to great.

 

[Fastolfe]

If you are a billiard player who is used to playing with your pool cue the difference is shocking. I played billiards for 30 years before I played with a Helmstetter billiard cue. It was knight and day. Also, most billiard cues are light, around 17 ounces or less and shorter. It would be hard to play both games with the same cue by just changing the shaft, the differences needed are to great.

I haven't tried playing carom with my pool cue. I know it's on the flexy side so I don't want to damage it by doing this. Hence my question. As for my carom cue, it's (it was I should say) an old 20 oz Chevillotte cue, and about the same length as my pool cue. And it doesn't feel very stiff to me, but maybe it's because I'm used to it.

A while ago, I played pool for several hours with an old Esbee carom cue that a friend lent me because I had forgotten my pool cue at home: it did have a straight taper, but aside from that, it didn't feel very stiff either. At any rate, it didn't feel like I couldn't get used to it for playing pool.

I'll go to the billiards shop tomorrow and I'll test-drive some cues, to find out if they're stiffer or lighter.

Thanks!

 

[manwon]

The major difference between a Billiards Cue and a pool cue is the shaft taper, the shaft diameter, the cues length for pool cues is a standard 58 inches, and billiards cue is a standard 56 1/2 to 56 3/4. Billiards cues are also lighter in weight generally, most weight 17 to 18 1/2 oz. The shaft taper on these cues normally starts around 11 to 12mm at the ferrule and increases very quickly, and most Billiards cues also use a Wood Screw Joint. A wood screw joint normally has the threaded section in the shaft not the cues butt, so the shafts screw into the cues forearm.


Hope this helps

 

[greyghost]

the taper billiard cues use is called a conical taper. You'd be really hard pressed to find someone shooting pool with that type of cue...they are out there but rare. In pool most favor the "pro taper" which comes straight back for 10-15" then starts to build (think of a meucci).

The stiffer taper of a billiards cue will help you move those heavy balls around better. Its just more functional for that style of game and that type of equipment.

 

[cueman]

Carom cues have very stiff shafts with smaller tips. The joint is also normally larger and the cue is usually shorter and balanced bacwards/butt heavy instead of front heavy like pool players prefer. This also makes the butts stiffer.

 

[Fastolfe]

Well, I ended up buying a cheap Artemis cue. For 75 euros, it plays well enough.

 

[scdiveteam]

Hi,

Carom Cues are lighter (around 17 oz.) with a conical taper for a stiffer spine (less deflection). The butt taper is fatter in the back so when you put the cue together and view it in profile the taper looks constant through the joint area into the shaft. In general, most Carom Cues are one piece butts without any A-Joint connecting pin.

Ray Schuler had about 5 carom shaft tapers to choose from with the most popular being the European Taper which was used by world champion Raymond Cuelmans.

Rick G

 

[jeff olney]

If you took a butt taper and turned it smaller you should have a billiard shaft. Jeff O

 

[csarda1]

"Carom Cues are lighter (around 17 oz.)"

For LIBRE, maybe, but for 3-cushion (the most popular carom game by far) you'll need at least 18 oz.
Mine is 19 oz.

 

[cueman]

...apart from the tip diameter and the height of the ferrule? Are shafts made of a different wood? are they balanced differently? I compared the ones I have and they don't seem that different apart from the tip size.

I'm asking because my carom cue got damaged at the club and I'm not all that keen on buying a new one. So if I could get used to playing carom with my pool cue (without damaging it that is), I'd be happy for the time being. I play straight pool more than carom these days anyway.

I know there are carom cues with 1/2" diameter tips, so I fail to see how they differ from regular sized pool cues. If you experts are aware of other differences, I'd be curious to know more.

Also, if I finally decide to get a cue custom-made (which I'm thinking more and more these days), I may be able to order a cue with a pool shaft and a carom shaft, and have two great cues in the same case.

A carom cue normally has a much stiffer shaft taper.

 

[Mike Rys]

Carom and pool utilize different strokes. Pool has a longer bridge length and a long smooth stroke. Side English is applied judiciously. Carom uses a shorter bridge and often employ a quick punchy stroke. Many carom shots require extreme side spin. Carom cues are shorter and more stout. The joint is thicker than a pool cue. The tip is usually a little smaller. Many carom shafts are conical, all have a stiffer taper than a pool cue. You would never see a pro taper carom cue. The ferrules are usually very short. Tip preference is is similar to pool...everyone has their favorite and there is no clear best tip.