Black King Tips Reviews

Been playing a lot of pool with a soft. No glazing and have not had to re shape yet. It hasn't packed down. Still the same tip I put on a week or so ago.

I put a Medium on another player in the case. I tried it out and much impressed with that one also. I let a buddy have it for a few games and he wants one on his cue.
 
Having received my ordered tips I installed Soft on a pool stick and Medium on a pyramid cue. Both machined a bit funny, unlike other layered tips in the work on that day and usually (see pic).
bkt03.jpg
I had some troubles getting the cut level and flush with the ferrule. Could it be due to some slight difference in layers hardness, I can't figure. At the same time the tan layer machined deeper than black ones, so I had to stop trimming the tips with a cutter and switch to 400 grit paper. That worked with no problems.
After that I decided to install Hard tip as well, just to see if it behaves in similar fashion. I expected it to show better results in terms of machining, and it proved right. It still didn't want to cut absolutely straight but was better than S and M. Again, some grit paper solved the issue.
I must say that the tips look great out of the pack, very good quality work. And tan skin layer looks pretty stylish when installed on a dark fiber pad :wink:
bkt01.jpg bkt02.jpg

I didn't try any of the tips installed yet. My pal played with M yesterday and he loved it, said it compares to any other hi-tech tip on the market, and for the money asked it might even be the best. M tip mushroomed quite a grade, but it is a common thing with Russian pyramid heavy balls. I would like to kick it more and then trim to see if the tip holds shape after that.

Hit a little with H (pyramid cue again) and it didn't mushroom at all. Have to give a try to S playing pool. My fellow pro player stroke a couple with that cue and assumed that to him the hit was too soft like a sponge. Probably M would be the way to go for him. Since he plays a lot he changes tips often enough, so he is on for more deep test of BK tips in future I believe :)

I will be back with more after a while, need time to see how they stand overall and whether they would delaminate or not. So far, I'm pretty satisfied with the result.
 
I found the same as you. I use a blade to trim mine. Just on one tho.
I used a bit of 400 and then 1000 with water.

Came out perfect.

I didn't think much of it as being a problem as I have had the same happen with other tips that I have on hand.

Considering the great end result. Absolutely the best tip I have tried yet,
no big deal.

Approx 4 weeks in playing with a soft. I have not had to reshape. I can see these tips lasting for quite some time.
 
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I use a very sharp blade to trim the tips.The BK trim great.
Been using M tip for 6 weeks or so now. No mushrooming and plays great.
A good quality product.
 
I have been using the Irwin blade lately since we have a Lowes.
I am still on my first blade where as I only use the cheaper blade to cut two tips.

Considering that I have duplicated the bumpiness on at least two other tips that I can remember,
I would blame my technique rather than the BK tip.

I use a piece of square stock in a tool holder for a steady rest and its not a perfect set up so I think its my way.

I watched Darcy's BK install and he does it free hand so will try one like that next time. Those Alberta guys showing off again.
 
:)

I always trim like that, with layered tips I like to get it close with the cutter, then finish with the razor...there is no better way to get it perfectly flat with the ferrule!

I also like to put a small taper on the tip, so the firsttime it starts to mushroom, it goes back to flat :)
 
I would like to thank Cuejo and Blue Hog Ridr for the sound installation advise. Also check out the installation video on our website www.blackkingtips.com or http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rl3rQ_hD5Q4 You will be surprised at how easy they trim just using a razor blade if you wet the leather first. I also use Irwin or Lenox blades and I will trim about 3-5 tips with a new blade then I use the "used" blades to shape the radius. There are more than one ways to skin a cat (so I'm told) and that is why I don't say one way or the other is recommended. As long as the end result is something you and your customers are happy with. Thanks again to everyone for the great reviews and advise you give to each other. It's nice to see this in our industry! Where was AZ Billiards when I was gouging ferrules, breaking tennons and tearing up tips trying to learn this craft we have chosen???
 
I asked MindsEye153 (AKA) Paul - Ridge Custom Cueworks to install a Leather wrap and clean up an old predator I had.

He asked what tip I would like and mentioned the Black King so I said ok.

I got it back today He did a Great job and quick as well.
I played about 2 - 3 racks with the New BK Medium, I have to say It's as good if not better than my Kamui Med it Held it's shape and grabs the cue nicely.:thumbup:
 
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I've used both Stanley and Irwin blades, and now buy nothing but Irwin, Imo they are much sharper then Stanley, and also seem to hold a edge longer. I buy them by the 100's in the little dispenser type packs. They seem to last near 3 times as long as the Stanley 100 packs did.
 
In Canada, our new Lowes sells them, $25 for a 70 pack.
Considering that they are sharper and hold an edge longer compared to other
blades, they are the best deal for the money.
 
I only use the olfa black snap off blades to trip tips.
I use the double ended utility knife to cut off tips and face ferrules sometimes, or to clean my lathe bed.
I just find the olfa knife holds the blade way more securely with less chance of slipping Nd gauging a ferrule.
I always use a new section of the blade for each layered tip, if I do non layers I use the same blade for 3-4 tips.
I save every third or fourth snapped off blade for my tip shaper.
I find the black blades to be very sharp too
 
I trim the tips with a lathe cut tool, the lathe is custom made and has no appliance for blade usage. Additionally, it has non-shielded chuck which makes using blades pretty dangerous even if we had such a jig.

Black King Tips said:
You will be surprised at how easy they trim just using a razor blade if you wet the leather first.
Click to expand...

Could moistening the tip before work the same good way in my case? I have never tried that, I apply some wet only to burnish the edge, and wax it after.
 
Vahmurka said:
I trim the tips with a lathe cut tool, the lathe is custom made and has no appliance for blade usage. Additionally, it has non-shielded chuck which makes using blades pretty dangerous even if we had such a jig.



Could moistening the tip before work the same good way in my case? I have never tried that, I apply some wet only to burnish the edge, and wax it after.
Click to expand...
Wetting the leather should help it cut cleaner even if you are using the cutting tool on your lathe. Most of the installers here are using a razor blade and cutting the tips flush with the ferrule freehand. I recommend turning your lathe at a fairly slow speed for trimming with a razor (500-600 rpm) but if you are using the cutting tool on your lathe I would say go up to 1500+ rpm and use a sharp cutter. Watch some of the videos on here or YouTube to see how they are cutting the tips with a blade. It takes some practice but isn't dangerous (if you're careful) and will give you great results. Joe's video is excellent and my installation video should be helpful also.

Good luck and thanks to the nice review!

Robert
 
Jim, I believe the tip shaping tool that fits the tool post is available from DZ Cues.
Maybe people have made their own but I think it was him that originally designed it.

Mikey, I have a medium on a back up cue. Between the soft and medium, its hard to tell which I like the best.
They both do the job 100%.
 
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