Break Cue Features and Justification

I used to love the wd until I got my pure x, that bakelite hold the taom v10 much better
And it's hard to miscue, hardest hitting break tip I've used ever. Didn't need to shape it, whatever it came with works perfect for me. I just can't say enough about the cue and tip

And I seen more of this particular break cue around than any other , as many as the predator.
 
I’m totally opposite on tips as a lot of people. I have an elkmaster on my breaker. Meshes great with the stiff hitting shaft. Plus no sound on hit. Unlike those crunchy ends. Weight doesn’t matter much for breaking in my case. Like 18, but will use anything.

Maybe should pay better attention though. Finally got my player back on Saturday. It needed a new shaft. It’s only .3oz heavier than the cue Ive been using for past couple months. It honestly feels way heavier. I’m still getting used to it after 5-6hours of table time.
 
Last edited:
I have a couple other cues, same cues as the one I'm using as a break cue right now. I'm going to see if I can take out a weight bolt (if there is one) and try going with one of those for a bit. My GF has a "ballbuster" break cue, I think it's about 23 ounces, and I've used that more than a few times. Feels like I can stroke a lot easier with it and it still breaks well.
 
SSDiver2112 said:
Everybody likes what they like.

I have not tried the Hammerhead tip, but if you think the White Diamond is squishy I know I wouldn’t like the HH2 for me.

The original tip on my break cue was just too hard. I replaced it with a WD and I like it a lot. In my opinion it hits very well and is not soft or squishy in any way. It holds chalk and hits great.
Click to expand...
It really comes down to preference. I'd say HH2 and WD are in the same "family" of materials. WD isn't really squishy but it just feels dampening to me. I play with a super hard leather tip on my player so I like em crisp. Good to hear you're enjoying the WD, it really is a good tip!
 
Chili Palmer said:
I will never go back to a heavy break cue.
Click to expand...
Usual tell of a low skilled player, especially when boasting 25 ounce cue or heavier was key to the break shot. Except for shaft taper, my break cue has the same balance point and similar weight to my playing cue.
 
Last edited:
Chili Palmer said:
That's how I operated when using the Pechaeur, it's specs were VERY close to my player (it was supposed to replace it) but the shaft was thicker and had more taper.
Click to expand...
SSDiver2112 said:
Also in this camp. I play with an 18.5oz and break with a 19oz, both Pechauer. Because I use a Black Ice shaft the overall weight may be close, but distribution is different. The break shaft is 6.2oz so the weight is 2oz heavier in the front compared to the player. I feel like I get a lot of control and speed with the lighter backend. The shaft is super hard giving it a solid hit. I just switched over to the White Diamond tip which I like much better than the tip that came on it.
Click to expand...

Same. Have a few other examples but like this set was even made from the same piece of wood. :)
20220412_101623.jpg
 
When I once in blue moon play Bank Pool I use a light weight house Cue for Breaker.

Breaking well is a skill, practice is key to honing skill.

Repacking is pain in butt, but it is only way to practice.
 
philly said:
I think a good break is more like a succession of proper muscle and tendon movements.
Sort of like a major league pitcher unwinds by building up momentum (for lack of a better word)
through proper triggering of muscle and tendon responses before delivering a pitch.
Personally I find control is more important than how hard the ball smashes the rack, especially in 9 ball
so I use my player for 9 ball.
Basically hitting the 9 ball rack no harder than a strong force follow.
However I'll use a break cue in 10 ball or 8 ball because it seems more force is needed
to get a good spread in any game racked in a triangle.
Includes 6 ball by the way.
Click to expand...
The winner!!

Follow the science. A harder tip will not absorb as much Kinetic Energy(KE) as a softer tip allowing more energy to be transferred to the CB.
OK so you pick up a foot pound of kinetic energy, Yaayyy, so what!

Going from a 21 oz cue to a 25 oz cue at 26 mph will add around 9 foot pounds of KE. Whooopeee!

KE energy is Mass x Speed. Let's say your arm weighs 10 pounds, and for a lot of players they use the same stroke for their break as they do their normal shots. So they are using their forearm only, going as fast as they can. They may look like they are using their shoulder and upper arm but usually all that comes into play after the CB has already left the gate, on their follow through!

Look at SVB's break, as critiqued by Dr Dave, on youtube. SVB engages his shoulder/upper arm before contact with CB. Most players are swinging a mass of 101 ounces(weight of 21 oz cue plus 5 lb lower arm) at 26 mph. for around 193 foot pounds of energy. They then go to a 25 ounce cue and add approx 9 foot pounds of energy. Add the upper arm and double the mass at 26 mph with a 21 oz cue and you've gone from 193 foot pounds to 346 foot pounds of energy. Easy to say but difficult to achieve. That's why SVB looks like he's hardly swinging at all, no need!

Would you rather be hit by a semi at 26 mph or a VW Beetle at same speed? Mass matters!! Get the upper arm/shoulder involved! Pro boxers don't swing from their arms, shoulders, or hips. They swing from their feet which involves the whole body
 
Last edited:
CocoboloCowboy said:
When I once in blue moon play Bank Pool I use a light weight house Cue for Breaker.

Breaking well is a skill, practice is key to honing skill.

Repacking is pain in butt, but it is only way to practice.
Click to expand...

Agreed, I hated practicing the break only, gets boring but, if you want to be any good you gotta have it as a tool
 
tim913 said:
The winner!!

Follow the science. A harder tip will not absorb as much Kinetic Energy(KE) as a softer tip allowing more energy to be transferred to the CB.
OK so you pick up a foot pound of kinetic energy, Yaayyy, so what!

Going from a 21 oz cue to a 25 oz cue at 26 mph will add around 9 foot pounds of KE. Whooopeee!

KE energy is Mass x Speed. Let's say your arm weighs 10 pounds, and for a lot of players they use the same stroke for their break as they do their normal shots. So they are using their forearm only, going as fast as they can. They may look like they are using their shoulder and upper arm but usually all that comes into play after the CB has already left the gate, on their follow through!

Look at SVB's break, as critiqued by Dr Dave, on youtube. SVB engages his shoulder/upper arm before contact with CB. Most players are swinging a mass of 101 ounces(weight of 21 oz cue plus 5 lb lower arm) at 26 mph. for around a 193 foot pounds of energy. They then go to a 25 ounce and add approx 9 foot pounds of energy. Add the upper arm and double the mass at 26 mph with a 21 oz cue and you've gone from 193 foot pounds to 346 foot pounds of energy. Easy to say but difficult to achieve. That's why SVB looks like he's hardly swinging at all, no need!

Would you rather be hit by a semi at 26 mph or a VW Beetle at same speed? Mass matters!! Get the upper arm/shoulder involved! Pro boxers don't swing from their arms, shoulders, or hips. They swing from their feet which involves the whole body
Click to expand...

I choose a hard tip because a softer tip can be less predictable (in my experience) when striking the ball hard. If you're off just a fraction it will put a little extra or not enough spin on the CB which can/will allow the CB to go where you don't want it to go.
 
Other thing is buy a 3C Ball to practicing Breaking.

The the Normal Cueball will seem lighter, and your breaking will be easier.
 
I use my playing cue for 8-ball (2nd ball break) and 9-ball. I use my break cue for 8-ball (head on break) and 10-ball.
 
DeeDeeCues said:
And say goodbye to your teeth because that ball is definitely flying off the table.
Click to expand...

Well I never stand at foot of table when people break. Use to be guy in AZ that played at Alexander’s. When he broke balls went in to air, but returned to table.

Tony was name, believe he was active USAF, great player. Broke with power & control.
 
I tried the heavy weigth formula on the Elite 27oz for about 2 years... no cue ball control...at all.
Next i purchased a cuetec breach, it is awesome how it breaks. The only downside on the breach is the taom 2.0 tip, it started getting square and leaves white marks at the table.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top