Black Boar Ferrule-less shafts

J

jonnyvegas

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I just purchased these two BB cues and am thinking of having some new shafts made (probably pick one to keep and one to sell).

Looking for opinions on the ferrule-less shafts vs traditional and any other input on working with BB for the replacements.

Thanks in advance,
-Jeff

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The idea of a ferrule was originally to protect the end of the shaft from impact.

Recently advances have been made in cue ferrule materials that allow the ferrule to offer protection and to have an effect on reducing squirt.

Many of the materials used today are lighter and less dense than the actual wood in the shaft.

Several cue makers have taken to offering ferruleless shafts and advertising them as Low Deflection... While it is true that they are lower deflection than ivory or ivorine3 they are not Low Deflection compared to the high tech material.
 
there's no ferrule material that i know that is lighter than wood. they're still all heavier, though some of the newer materials are lighter than stuff previously available...
 
I was hoping less for a general discussion of LD, ferrule materials, etc. and more input specifically about the BB shaft options - including feedback from those who have played with the ferrule-less shafts.

Thanks,
Jeff
 
jonnyvegas said:
I was hoping less for a general discussion of LD, ferrule materials, etc. and more input specifically about the BB shaft options - including feedback from those who have played with the ferrule-less shafts.

Thanks,
Jeff
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Hey Jeff, I don't know anything about it but congratulations on a couple of very nice cues!!! Those are sweet!
 
McChen said:
there's no ferrule material that i know that is lighter than wood. they're still all heavier, though some of the newer materials are lighter than stuff previously available...
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Perhaps that's why OB has been using the 45 degree laminated wood.
 
Thanks!

Well, keep an eye out as one will likely be for sale soon - once I decide which I like best.

Leaning toward selling the RS-1. The other is sort of a one-off / variant that doesn't match any of the catalog pics exactly. I've contacted BB for more info, but haven't heard back. Not sure what the typical response time is (part of my initial question about replacement shafts actually).

-Jeff
 
The four veneered cue is indeed unusual for a black boar and may be worth more than an rs2 which it is similar to. I would contact tony by phone, not email. If you are close enough, see if you can bring it in person, the shop is great to visit and tony and Donnie are great to talk to. You will have to send your cue or bring it so they can fit a new shaft to your cue.

The ferruless shafts are hollowed out at the tip end similar to a predator. They are very accurate, perfect stiffness, and feel solid. Tony took a lot of time engineering those shafts and picks wood with specific qualities for them.
 
Ferruless shafts

I have had my cue builder make my shafts ferruless for years now and have experienced no performance problems at all. The only drawback is you have to very careful when chalking the tip. Not paying attention will result in a blue chalk ring near the tip; a rookie ring. Continually improper chalking will result in a groove being worn into the shaft. If this is a concern use a ferrule because it can be cleaned and/or replaced. Otherwise a ferrule is useless, IMO.
 
Thanks, spliced.

Yeah, I'm getting the impression they are phone people vs email people. I will call Monday.

I live in VA and visit family in PA often (all the way to State College, which might be near you actually), so I can stop by the shop.

-Jeff
 
jonnyvegas...Contact Ballistic Billiards here on AzB. He is a friend of mine, one of my instructors, and handles Tony's website. He has one of the ferrule-less shafts, and I have played with it. It hits VERY well, and has the same tendencies as my other LD shafts, without the technology.

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com

jonnyvegas said:
I just purchased these two BB cues and am thinking of having some new shafts made (probably pick one to keep and one to sell).

Looking for opinions on the ferrule-less shafts vs traditional and any other input on working with BB for the replacements.

Thanks in advance,
-Jeff

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Chalking...

Yes, I don't chalk like I'm starting a fire, so I'm sure it would be fine. I usually carry my own Triangle chalk (which everyone asks about) and the sides are worn vs the hole-drilled look from brushing the chalk on.
 
Even if you chalk properly, the shaft will get dirty and blue in the first few inches from the tip. Some mind it, some don't.
 
I have two BB ferruleless shafts for my RS3...they are the complete, absolute nuts. Engineered like no other, they are what all other ferruleless shafts are compared to. Once you try one, you're spoiled for life.
:p
 
Thanks, rayjay

Sounds like I will have to give them a try.

About how much do they run and are they much more than traditional BB shafts?

Thanks,
Jeff
 
These shafts are extremely select, dense, old growth maple. They are standard with his new high-end cues. Cost depends on where you get them. I'd give Tony a call and deal with him directly...around $400 ea. I've heard of them going for as high as $600 each with a middle man at shows.
 
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