Breaking with Ivory???

brandoncook26

brandoncook26

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I have a cue on order with an ivory joint. This will be my first cue with an ivory joint.

My question is, does anyone have a cue with an ivory joint that they break with?? Do you have any problems that have arose from this setup? I know many say that ivory is brittle, or more brittle than other materials. I have a steel joint cue with an ivory ferrule that I break and play with. My break averages 21-22 mph, and I haven't had any problem with the ferrule cracking or being damaged in any way.

Just curious what your thoughts are. I know it wouldn't be very conventional to do so, but I like breaking with my playing cue. The break in rotation is arguably the most important shot (next to the money ball) and I like to break with the cue I feel most comfortable with, which to me is the one I shoot all my other shots with.
 
I have seen far more crack from neglect (left in trunk) than from any normal use in a game. Just know it is a possibility as it is a natural material but, as long as you maintain the temprature of the cue it should be fine. I break with mine all the time and have for years without any issues at all.
I cannot speak as to the thin walled sleeve of ivory used on some cues as I do not use that construction in my cues.
 
I've kind of wondered about this too. I have an LP Custom on order with an ivory joint, and I doubt I'd ever break with it, but I'm curious nonetheless. This would be a good question for the Ask The Cuemaker forum. There is actually a good amount of traffic there, so I'm sure you'd get a good answer.
 
Ive talked with a CM about ivory and according to him, you should have no problems whatsoever.Ivory might crack if there were a hairline crack in it to begin with.I also break with my ivory joint cue and have no problems.
 
9BallMarksman said:
I've kind of wondered about this too. I have an LP Custom on order with an ivory joint, and I doubt I'd ever break with it, but I'm curious nonetheless. This would be a good question for the Ask The Cuemaker forum. There is actually a good amount of traffic there, so I'm sure you'd get a good answer.
Click to expand...

I don't think I've ever seen anyone shooting with a Les Paul before.
MULLY
thinks that cuemaker needs to change his name
 
brandoncook26 said:
I have a cue on order with an ivory joint. This will be my first cue with an ivory joint.

My question is, does anyone have a cue with an ivory joint that they break with?? Do you have any problems that have arose from this setup? I know many say that ivory is brittle, or more brittle than other materials. I have a steel joint cue with an ivory ferrule that I break and play with. My break averages 21-22 mph, and I haven't had any problem with the ferrule cracking or being damaged in any way.

Just curious what your thoughts are. I know it wouldn't be very conventional to do so, but I like breaking with my playing cue. The break in rotation is arguably the most important shot (next to the money ball) and I like to break with the cue I feel most comfortable with, which to me is the one I shoot all my other shots with.
Click to expand...



How is the joint installed? Is it cored screwed a wood tenon or is it the solid type?
 
manwon said:
How is the joint installed? Is it cored screwed a wood tenon or is it the solid type?
Click to expand...

The cue I have on order is a solid ivory 5/16x18 piloted. Which one would you be more likely to worry about? I would think if one would have problems it would be the cored or sleeved type, as the ivory would be a thinner ring around the joint.

Let me know what's up Craig. Thanks everyone for the help.
 
brandoncook26 said:
The cue I have on order is a solid ivory 5/16x18 piloted. Which one would you be more likely to worry about? I would think if one would have problems it would be the cored or sleeved type, as the ivory would be a thinner ring around the joint.

Let me know what's up Craig. Thanks everyone for the help.
Click to expand...

The ones sleeved with phenolic ones are quite a bit less prone to cracking because the thinner ivory is bonded to the plastic and more flexible than thick ivory. I talked to Bill Stroud about this at length. He started doing this because he had so many joints and buttcaps crack. he said he's had almost none crack since he started sleeving them some years ago.

If you're going to have problems with your joint, it's probably not going to be from breaking alone - but from the way the cue is put together by the cue maker, expansion of the wood tenon, that sort of thing. I'm not crazy about piloted ivory joints because it does leave a thinner chippable/crackable edge exposed. I would go with a flat faced radial.

Chris
 
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Ivory joint

I've played with several cues with ivory joints and ivory ferrules as well. I've never cracked one breaking although I've done it pretty often. However, I have had them crack from envoronmental conditions. A couple of ferrules cracked after warming up from -10 degree weather they were shipped in and a joint cracked for no apparent reason probably from an existing defect and low humidity. I'd certainly be careful with ivory (expensive fix) but it should be fine if you let it get to room temp before using your cue. That being said you you don't have to use it I wouldn't take the chance and tempt fate.

barryc
 
As many have already said, I've never had a problem with my ivory ferrules or joints, and most issues are simply caused by neglect.
 
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