Does a specialized break cue really make a difference?

brechbt

brechbt

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
"Hits like a Mack truck"

"Explodes the rack like a laser-guided missile"

"So powerful it requires a license in some states"

Yes, I'm used to reading statements like these from those who are selling break cues, which is perfectly reasonable--a little marketing hyperbole never hurt anyone. But I'm interested in hearing from those of you who own and use purpose-built break cues--do they really do a better job than a normal good quality cue with a hard leather tip, like a Water Buffalo tip? I've tried using my jump stick shaft on my break cue, and although I get a satisfying "smack" sound resulting from the phenolic tip, I don't seem to get any better results from it. What's your experience?

Tim
 
It seems that minimized wear and tear on your player's tip is gauranteed. Better breaks are probably not.
 
If you're concern about breaking with your playing cue, it does make a difference. If not, then use your playing cue with delight as a breaker. Better yet, use it as a Jumper too. ;)
 
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break cues don't matter at all! even some pros use their players to break, such as shane and corey. the only that is affected is the wear and tear on your tip. imo
 
Only difference I see is I use a much lighter break cue than I would play with.

Definately good for a few extra MPH.

I'm also using a Phenolic tip which most likely puts a little less spin on the CB which sometimes helps (easier to park the CB) , would never play with one of those either. ;)
 
I don't have to try as hard, therefore I get more speed when I find a balance. The break cue definitely performs better than the playing cue.

When you balance control and power with a playing cue the speed of the break doesn't compare to when you balance control and power with a break cue.
 
For years I either used my playing cue or a house cue to break. I had a good break...but not one that Newman would think much of if his back was turned. One day at the room a guy wanted me to try his new Sledgehammer to break. I was playing 9-ball and I can honestly say that the 10 to 20 times I broke with it my break was about 25% better with it. I don't know if it was just a fluke or I was trying harder to break well because of the cue, but if I knew for a fact it was all the cue I'd buy one. I retired from pool before I got a chance to find out for sure. :( Johnnyt
 
I have built several break cues for customers. Some want a different tip or weight size than their playing cue. Others do not want to mess up their tip or have to change shaft - its easier to just grap your break cue that is out and ready when needed. Building a few right now that match the custom playing cues I built for them.
 
My break is not that hard, and I found that using a cheap cue with a White Knight-tip gave me a better separation of the pack. I can put a little more power into the cueball with this hard tip than with the Talisman med pro to which I am accustomed on my playing cue. The disadvantage: The sound is similar to a gunfire. The advantage: The cue together with the tip cost appx. 25 Euro - which translates into slightly above 30 USD.

So, from a pragmatic point of view: It works, it didn't cost much money, so why bother? :D

Regards,

Detlev
 
I am kind of shocked at some of the responses to this post...
I have owned many break cues..
original Sledgehammer - Mike G
Mace - Rick Howard
Stinger - Jericho
etc etc

All of which spread the balls better than any of the playing cues I have ever owned... (8 ball, 9 ball)

Cue ball control is even improved by some break cues like the Stinger or Mace... They are designed especially for breaking, and if you have a good break now, you will definately see improved results once you get used to them

Technology has played a huge role in changing the way cue sports are played....
EX: Jump cues, break cues, laminated shafts
 
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brechbt said:
"Hits like a Mack truck"

"Explodes the rack like a laser-guided missile"

"So powerful it requires a license in some states"

Yes, I'm used to reading statements like these from those who are selling break cues, which is perfectly reasonable--a little marketing hyperbole never hurt anyone. But I'm interested in hearing from those of you who own and use purpose-built break cues--do they really do a better job than a normal good quality cue with a hard leather tip, like a Water Buffalo tip? I've tried using my jump stick shaft on my break cue, and although I get a satisfying "smack" sound resulting from the phenolic tip, I don't seem to get any better results from it. What's your experience?

Tim
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The TRUTH is you get what your ability delivers. If you break well, IE, have a good stroke, good technique, and fully understand what a good break takes you will break well with anything you use. A cue nothing more than a piece of wood, the players arm is where the magic comes from!!!!!!!;)
 
brechbt said:
"Hits like a Mack truck"

"Explodes the rack like a laser-guided missile"

"So powerful it requires a license in some states"

Yes, I'm used to reading statements like these from those who are selling break cues, which is perfectly reasonable--a little marketing hyperbole never hurt anyone. But I'm interested in hearing from those of you who own and use purpose-built break cues--do they really do a better job than a normal good quality cue with a hard leather tip, like a Water Buffalo tip? I've tried using my jump stick shaft on my break cue, and although I get a satisfying "smack" sound resulting from the phenolic tip, I don't seem to get any better results from it. What's your experience?

Tim
Click to expand...

The TRUTH is you get what your ability delivers. If you break well, IE, have a good stroke, good technique, and fully understand what a good break takes you will break well with anything you use. A cue is nothing more than a piece of wood, the players arm is where the magic comes from!!!!!!!;)
 
I can't believe what people are saying either! I would be willing to bet that if you have a break cue that's about 14mm with a phenolic tip, you will break better than just a playing cue. Depending on what your trying to accomplish. Time and time again the rack will be better if you use a phenolic tip.
 
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I play mostly at a college pool hall, so my J&J jump/break cue is the only break cue I've ever seen in the place - and 90% of the people who I have let break with it ask to borrow it whenever it is their turn to break, if they are nearby. Is it a magic bullet? Not at all - but it definetly makes it easier get a good spread.
 
Klopek said:
If you already have a great break shot, a break cue will give you a slight edge over a regular hard tipped cue. If you have a weak break, a break cue won't miraculously improve upon it, though that's what marketers would lead you to believe.
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i disagree. a weak break can come from a heavy cue and a soft tip. i would give a 12 year old a 17 oz stick with a phenolic tip and expect some damage to the rack.

the speed comes not only from the arm and its ability to generate speed and fight the inertia of a cue in a still position, but also the tip. a soft tip will compress and absorb a lot of the impact on the cue ball thus reducing the speed the cue ball travels at. think of hitting a baseball with a pillow instead of a bat. or a wooden bat as opposed to an ultra lightweight titanium or aluminum bat.
 
9ballprodigy said:
i disagree. a weak break can come from a heavy cue and a soft tip. i would give a 12 year old a 17 oz stick with a phenolic tip and expect some damage to the rack.

the speed comes not only from the arm and its ability to generate speed and fight the inertia of a cue in a still position, but also the tip. a soft tip will compress and absorb a lot of the impact on the cue ball thus reducing the speed the cue ball travels at. think of hitting a baseball with a pillow instead of a bat. or a wooden bat as opposed to an ultra lightweight titanium or aluminum bat.
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Yup , pretty much. I play with a ~20 but break with a 17.5. You can just generate alot more speed with less effort and = control.

2 things I forgot to add to my first post -

My break cue is more front weighted which I feel like I can control better when "Going after it" ,

And , I keep much less of a radius on the Phenolic tip than I could play with. I'm almost tempted to try it flat altogether. :D
 
I've been breaking better since I went back to using a Stinger jump/break with a phenolic or specialty tip. It's killing me though, since I am playing a lot of straight pool, and it's costing me at least 15-points every time I scatter the balls with it.
 
Lol

cuesblues said:
I've been breaking better since I went back to using a Stinger jump/break with a phenolic or specialty tip. It's killing me though, since I am playing a lot of straight pool, and it's costing me at least 15-points every time I scatter the balls with it.
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I loved the Stinger I had!!!
I can't believe you just bust em open in straight pool, but I guess if you make a few balls everytime, then you would be allright
 
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