Best shaft predator or ob

This is a Blond vs. Brunette discussion. Their is no right answer.

I play with 314's version 1
I purchased Z1 and it was ok
I purchased OB1 and found it to whippy for my liking.
I have tried 314-2 and Z2 and have not purchased because I don't need a new shaft.

If I was stuck on a desert island I'm sure I could make due with any of the above. For the record I will take Brunette with long wavy hair....with a backside that stops traffic.:eek:
 
I have tried the 314, Z and OB1. I like the 314 best, found the Z & OB1 close to the same feel. So many people have these shafts now, a person should hit with them for a night.
 
I have owned a 314, 314-2, ob1 and ob2. I much prefer the hit of the ob product. It feels so easy to impart spin to the cue ball. The deflection seems really low and I rarely worry about having to compensate when using the left/right spin.

Its hard to explain in words how a cue hits but one thing I noticed is you get very little vibration using the OB product. Not sure if they stuff something in the core of the shaft but it has a nice 'thud' feel when you hit the ball. Where with the 314 it seems to have a fair amount of vibration after hitting the ball.
 
You're going to need to try both of them and figure out which you like better. I prefer the OB.
 
I agree its a personal preference. I like the way both perform but I prefer the feel of the OB. And I did notice considerably more spin. Be careful about going back to a regular shaft when you change cues though. The transition back is harder than the transition to.
 
I've tried em all, Universal Smart shaft, Predator from old to new with the exception of the FAT shaft, also tried an OB1 when they first came out.. Gave them all some time and have been back to playing with a standard shaft for the past few years....

Today, I received an OB2 shaft that I ordered last week and am very very impressed to say the least. I have played with it for only 2 hours thus far but really like it. It's going to take some getting used to but I really like the feel and surprisingly don't really mind that it's much skinnier than my 13mm shaft that I have been using.

Deflection is mininal and seems non-existent to me on most shots. I am very happy with it so far but will be able to give a better estimate in a month or two after I have used it extensively. One thing I do like a lot about the OB shafts, that is the customer service at OB cues. They really do stand behind their products and that is vital to me.

Plan on trying one of their break cues soon if all goes well. As many mentioned, it's simply a matter of preference, there is no wrong answer. I am pretty certain that I'll be playing with an OB product for quite a while at least.
 
RBC said:
5andout

As with most of the posters, I recommend you try them out for yourself.

Our OB shafts do have a different hit than the Predator shafts. Some folks like them and some don't.

If you try it and think you want the harder hit then just stay tuned, the Super Billiards Expo is coming up and I may have something new on the horizon.


Royce Bunnell
www.obcues.com
Click to expand...

Hello Royce,

Please tell me that the OB Break Wrap is coming soon, my Viking J/B was lifted and I'm in need. Royce you're hinting that you may have something new, would this be a stiffer hit as well as a harder hit??? I'm excited to try out the OBreak shaft but it would have to have low/er deflection then my FAT shaft to replace it as a player though.

Good luck at the Expo
 
Jaws

Just stay tuned. I don't want to give away too much yet, but I know you will be happy.

The Break Cues are coming along quite well. We are still a little back ordered, but catching up as the production increases. We should be able to offer some with wraps soon. 2 wrap options I think. Black linen, and a rubber grip. The cool thing about our rubber grip is that it will be easily serviced by most competent cue smiths. There are many out there that can't be serviced when they start to wear out and look bad.

We do have a few who like to play with the break shafts, but they are not quite as low squirt as our play shafts. However, we do have an XL shaft. The XL is 13.25mm and built the same as our OB-1. We did however, work to keep the squirt low even though the tip size is larger. This is not the surprise we have coming. Call me for more info on the XL. 877-399-9901


Royce Bunnell
www.obcues.com
 
instroke2 said:
I agree, get yourself a Mezz WD700, great feel of a standard shaft, with low deflection, better hit than the 314 and OB1. The Ob shafts just feel like hitting the cueball with a wet sponge.
Click to expand...

I have not tried the Mezz shaft, but the OB1's that I have tried are way too soft of a hit for me....
 
Here is my list in order. I prefer a stiffer feel as will be obvious when you see the order.

1. Predator Z/Z2
2. Tiger Ultra X
3. OB-2
4. Predator 314/314^2
5. OB-1
 
One thing that no one has mentioned, or just slightly, is that ANY shaft still is a reflection of the butt that it is fitted to. I've tried pretty much all of them and prefer the 314's to just about anything. I did like the ob2, though. Royce is just a very classy guy and anything he's involved with, I'm sure that you'd be happy with. Having said all of that, I just picked up an old D-14 McD with a low 12 old micarta ferrule and I'm telling you, its not the 314, but its soooooooooo close! BTW, you forgot the Lucasi Hybrid shafts. Similar to 314, but cheaper. Anyway, what it all comes down to is that you must search, and search and hopefully, you will find something you love. If you do, hold onto it tightly (not while shooting, mind you...). In the interim, enjoy the search........

tim
 
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