Best break cue for the money?

Tarkus697

Tarkus697

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Currently, I'm using a Players Jump/Break cue, and I'd like to upgrade to something better.

I'd like to get opinions on what you guys think is the best break or Jump/Break cue for the price.

Brands I've been looking at are Rick Howard's Mace, Sledgehammer, Mezz and Omen.

Thanks in advance!
 
Tarkus697 said:
Currently, I'm using a Players Jump/Break cue, and I'd like to upgrade to something better.

I'd like to get opinions on what you guys think is the best break or Jump/Break cue for the price.

Brands I've been looking at are Rick Howard's Mace, Sledgehammer, Mezz and Omen.

Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...

The only production cue I use is a Player jump/break, so I can't help you.
 
Buster Break Cue

Tarkus697 said:
Currently, I'm using a Players Jump/Break cue, and I'd like to upgrade to something better.

I'd like to get opinions on what you guys think is the best break or Jump/Break cue for the price.

Brands I've been looking at are Rick Howard's Mace, Sledgehammer, Mezz and Omen.

Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...


A few months ago I purchased the Buster Break Cue from www.showcasebilliards.com. It's break is pretty amazing considering it's lighter than "normal" break cues. It also jumps well in It's full length, which by the way is from 58" to 59". Price is about $175.00.

I'm happy with it and have been sinking more balls on the snap than I've ever been.
 
1. I have a separate jump cue and break cue. Jump cues are not that expensive. This is good because I read that a dime radius is best for a jump cue while a quarter radius is best for a breaking cue. (Still need to experiment with my jump cue...)

2. If you have a cue dealer nearby who will let you try different cue weights for breaking, then try different weights when breaking a 9-ball rack and see which weight works the best for *you* - best spread of balls. (Different players do differently with various weights.)

3. For a break cue, I get a regular well made cue. Forward weight, good joint (metal to metal screw, metal to metal rings), and solid euro taper 13mm shaft.

4. Then put on a jump/break tip (I use the Tiger jump/break tip with a quarter radius). I experimented with plastic and phenolic tips, but they miscued too much and I could not use English.
 
I have to vote for Rick Howard's Mace. I've used one for 15 years and it has a super-solid hit, breaks the balls awesome, and I've never had any problems with it (besides that after 15 years it could use refinishing). :)
 
I vote for the Sledgehammer, takes a minute to get your control but after that should be ok.I also like Mike Staceys jump/break cues.
Do you have a budget or is the sky the limit?
 
The sky isn't the limit and I'd like to keep it reasonable, say between $200-$400. My playing cue is a Falcon WS-6 and don't necessarily want the break cue to cost more than the playing cue.
 
Tarkus697 said:
The sky isn't the limit and I'd like to keep it reasonable, say between $200-$400. My playing cue is a Falcon WS-6 and don't necessarily want the break cue to cost more than the playing cue.
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A few of the guys i know got those J+J break jump cues for like 60 bucks.
They have that light brown pheonolic tip/ferrule that the have been seen on some of the pricier break cues.

They break a TON.

If you could find the ones with the plastic tip, it's a cheap alternative to some $300 dollar sledge

SUPERSTAR
 
I just want to voice an opinion about breaking: I think spending money on a break cue is a waste. Pretty much any cue will do, if you choose not to break with your playing cue.

I recently broke my right hand. I can only shoot about 1/3 of my normal power, so my break has become a medium weight stop-shot. I have more control, and I'm sinking as many balls on the break as ever.

Just an opinion. I think the best break cue is either your playing cue, or an older playing cue from your collection.

cheers,
jeremy
 
Tony said:
I vote for the Sledgehammer, takes a minute to get your control but after that should be ok.I also like Mike Staceys jump/break cues.
Do you have a budget or is the sky the limit?
Click to expand...


If a Sledgehammer fits in the budget, I second the motion for one of them. They don't just break a rack, they explode them. I think you also need to find out what works best for you in the weight of a break cue. The trend now is toward light, and mine started out at 18.5 oz but much of a good break has to do with timing and that can change quite a bit, even within the same day. I was losing the CB a lot or mishitting it when my timing was off and it took away from a good break when I had it light. I went all the way up with the Sledge to 21.5 oz., which didn't produce enough speed, and then back down incrementally to 20.25 and found that's what works best for me in power AND contol. I suggest everyone experiment likewise, especially if your break is too inconsistent. There is nothing written in stone about the weight of a break cue and you just can't follow the pack, you gotta go with what works for you.
 
I recently purchased the Fury JB while at the Midwest Expo.
http://www.affordablebilliards.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=976&HS=1

This thing is amazing. I had been looking for approx 1.5 years now, and had tried a few friends and booths to see what I liked for the money. If I could afford the Sledgehammer, that would have been it. The Fury JB smashes the balls, and when you use the jump portion, it is very easy, and accurate. The jump portion is alot better than the other jump breaks that I tried. As far as breaking, I think that its your own feeling that counts. Any cue can work for breaking, but let me tell ya. The Fury JB POUNDS the rack, and I have alot of CB control. A few of my friends love it.

For me, it is just another reason to pump up and play this game. The extra cue gives some satisfaction when you break... If you can try any cue first, thats the way to go. It took me 1.5 years, and I am happy.
 
Perk, that is the one that I posted a link to. I have not tried it, but it looks to be a very good breaking cue for the money. I see that it also has a leather wrap. For ~$140 how can you go wrong with that?! :cool:
 
Curious to know from the Mace users, are you guys/girls using it with the original tips or have you switched to a phenolic tip or something else? My Mace's tip is starting to mushroom a little and it really doesn't affect the break, but I was thinking about putting a new tip on it.
 
I use a Predator BK with a Lucasi Jump Cue Phenolic Tip - works very well.

Jump cue is a Showcase Billiards "Jumster."

I paid somewhere in the neighborhood of $400 for the two.

Well worth the money imo.

I would recommend a separate break cue & jump cue. I feel this gives many more options to get what is best for the improvement of your game.
 
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The Z-line break jump cue my son builds with the 25 ply laminated shaft is just right for breaking and jumping. He makes them with phenolic or buffalo tip depending on your preference. Price is $325 and has Birdseye maple forearm. If you want the whole cue wrapped instead of birdseye forearm the price is $295. He is about a month behind. I guess I am bias, but I traded my personal break jump cue I built for one of his that was used that turned up for sale at the pool room. Mine was fancier with silver rings, but his was newer and I liked his better than my old one.
Chris
www.cuesmith.com
www.internationalcuemakers.com
 
Rick Howards Mace Jump/break hands down. I picked mine up on ebay for $225 brand new...Best break cue ever and Ive tried plenty of them before the Mace!!
 
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