Cue weight balance point?

[Muttonchops]

I tend to like a butt heavy cue. And then I've read here that the half stainless joint is sought after by some because it make the cue feel feather-weight?
Most of the old time cues were something like 20 oz. Different cloth and balls. I've tried the lightweight cues.. Nothing under 19oz for me, I'd rather have a fullsplice ebony cue of about 20oz and let the weight fall where it may.
People measure balance points...What's perfect 19.5 inches? Is that perfect with a 18 oz cue as well as 21 oz cue?

 

[Skratch]

IMO: Its kind of a depends on the individual. Taller or smaller people will have their hand placement on the same cue differently. The general thought (as I've been told) was to have the balance point just ahead of the rear hand, as this will help support the cue between your bridge hand and the rear hand. Imagine a hammer in place of your cue. If you hold the hammer properly, its easier to control; but if you hold it upside down notice you cant control it as easily. The heavier the cue, the harder to control because it takes more muscle to keep it steady. I have a teammate who's taller than me, but holds his cue way up the cue than should be for his size. I've suggested to him to hold the cue at the butt (which I normally wouldn't tell anybody to do), but his shooting improved. It allowed him to control the cue better than how he was holding it. Holding it the conventional way, with the balance point close to his rear hand, hindered his stroke. Adjusting to hold the cue properly, improved his stroke mechanics so long as the balance point was between bridge and rear hands. It was like holding the cue at the joint for his size. Anyone else have another opinion? I'd too would love to hear it.

 

[PDX]

There is no concrete answer for your question. Nothing is set in stone. I've had 59", 21.5oz cue with a 4.7oz shaft that could be used as a bat, but parallel to the table, and it was light as a feather. I have a 57", 17.6oz cue, my lightest, that moves the cue ball like a 21oz cue.
A SS joint weighs roughly an ounce, so one could safely assume a half joint is roughly 1/2oz. You want a butt heavy cue, put a phenolic joint on it. It doesn't make sense to think that 1/2oz at the joint will make or break a cue, but the cue maker should have a knowledge of wood weights and densities, allowing one to recognize when to use a 1/2 or full joint, depending in their desired balance point with regard to multiple variables.
I thought for awhile I knew the magic numbers that could make the perfect cue, but that's like saying I know the magic ingredients to make the perfect woman, not gonna happen. I generally grab a cue by the butt, hold it in the wrap area and try to move it like a sword, but only with wrist movement. What I try to do, is see if I can control the tip and move the cue exactly where I want to without resistance or excessive energy. It is hard to explain, but my hands know a great cue way before I can check any specs.