Earl's right again......

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dafatman

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Not too long ago Earl told me that "I used to never have to scuff a tip once it was put on and chalked correctly", and I kinda dismissed it thinking of how often I and other players seem to have to "mess" with a tip.

Well the first of May 2004 I pulled out a different cue, (cause I was in a slump with the one I had been playing with) and I started using it getting ready to go to Vegas. I pulled out of my case an old piece of Masters blue, the same brand of chalk I have been using for years, and I immediately started playing better again. I began to notice the "friction" of the chalk as I chalked my tip with this old piece of chalk and started showing it to other players. Everyone could tell the difference in the feel of the application of the chalk with this piece of chalk.......to make a long story short, I have not scuffed or picked or done anything to this Triangle tip (same I've been using,too) but one time from May to now (Sept). And the reason I had to scuff the tip was because I had just about worn out the piece of chalk and I picked up a new piece. Very shortly thereafter I began losing that feel of the cue ball and noticed the tip "glazing" over. I removed the "new" chalk, re'scuffed the tip,went back to the old worn out piece of Masters, and I haven't touched it again in a month.

Don't get me wrong, I still would miscue occassionally due to a stroke flaw or error, but all I have to do is chalk up over the miscue with this "old" piece of
Masters and it's like nothing ever happened. This piece of chalk is a deep cobalt blue looking color versus the lighter blue shade that the new stuff if today. I've worn this piece down to about an 1/4" thick, and I guess I'll have to give up the game when it's worn out, cause this piece of chalk is the bomb.
I really believe Earl was right and that the new formula's of chalk do not coat and bond to the tips like the old stuff. This old piece feels like a sandy grit is being rubbed on the tip, and it coats like paint, grips like rubber, and I WANT ANOTHER PIECE OF IT cause I've sure enjoyed playing with this one!!!!!!!
 
dafatman said:
Not too long ago Earl told me that "I used to never have to scuff a tip once it was put on and chalked correctly", and I kinda dismissed it thinking of how often I and other players seem to have to "mess" with a tip.

Well the first of May 2004 I pulled out a different cue, (cause I was in a slump with the one I had been playing with) and I started using it getting ready to go to Vegas. I pulled out of my case an old piece of Masters blue, the same brand of chalk I have been using for years, and I immediately started playing better again. I began to notice the "friction" of the chalk as I chalked my tip with this old piece of chalk and started showing it to other players. Everyone could tell the difference in the feel of the application of the chalk with this piece of chalk.......to make a long story short, I have not scuffed or picked or done anything to this Triangle tip (same I've been using,too) but one time from May to now (Sept). And the reason I had to scuff the tip was because I had just about worn out the piece of chalk and I picked up a new piece. Very shortly thereafter I began losing that feel of the cue ball and noticed the tip "glazing" over. I removed the "new" chalk, re'scuffed the tip,went back to the old worn out piece of Masters, and I haven't touched it again in a month.

Don't get me wrong, I still would miscue occassionally due to a stroke flaw or error, but all I have to do is chalk up over the miscue with this "old" piece of
Masters and it's like nothing ever happened. This piece of chalk is a deep cobalt blue looking color versus the lighter blue shade that the new stuff if today. I've worn this piece down to about an 1/4" thick, and I guess I'll have to give up the game when it's worn out, cause this piece of chalk is the bomb.
I really believe Earl was right and that the new formula's of chalk do not coat and bond to the tips like the old stuff. This old piece feels like a sandy grit is being rubbed on the tip, and it coats like paint, grips like rubber, and I WANT ANOTHER PIECE OF IT cause I've sure enjoyed playing with this one!!!!!!!
I second that Paul... I've noticed the same thing, but didn't want to speak up about it for fear of sounding stupid :D .
I though you were using either Triangle or National Tournament chalk the last time i watched you play? Are my eyes getting that bad?

Thanks,

jon
 
I have been doing this for a couple years now. Someone on RSB mentioned it and I find it works just fine. I also play pool sometimes with the Bunjee Jump Breaker which has a super hard tip on it and I just apply a thin layer of chalk and it works fine.

John
 
I have experienced the same thing with some pieces of Master chalk. When I would chalk my tip, the way if felt when I was chalking it felt like it was covering the tip perfectly, and it was. It seemed like it was "grabbing" the cueball better, especially when I put extreme english, it gave me a very comfortable feeling. Now that you brought that up, I'm glad you did, because I didn't know if it was the chalk or if it was moisture on the tip or something. Cool.
 
I use the Master's blue chalk. I scuff my tip only before a big match. I play several hours a day (or longer); haven't scuffed my tip for 2 months.
 
dafatman said:
This piece of chalk is a deep cobalt blue looking color versus the lighter blue shade that the new stuff if today. I've worn this piece down to about an 1/4" thick, and I guess I'll have to give up the game when it's worn out, cause this piece of chalk is the bomb.


Eat your heart out boys...I'm sitting on 8 of 'em that have never been used and I'm just hoarding them like a fine wine. Nanya-nanya-nanya......

I'd sure hate to see you have to give up the game. Do you have a Ferrari that you'd like to swap for them? :D
 
Tweeten changed the formula for Masters several years ago and the chalk has not put as good of a coat on the tips since. I asked a distributor what had happened and he said Corn Starch had gotten so expensive they cut back on how much corn starch was in the chalk instead of having to raise the price. Well in response National Chalk came out with a "Players Choice" chalk endorsed by Efren Reyes, Nick Varner, Lori Jon Jones and Oliver Ortman. It is almost identical to the old Masters. It is all I have used for about 5 years. If National still makes it it is worth the investment to buy a few gross of it to have on hand. Don't waste your time with regular National, but Players Choice is great.
Chris
www.internationalcuemakers.com
www.cuesmith.com
 
cueman said:
Tweeten changed the formula for Masters several years ago and the chalk has not put as good of a coat on the tips since. I asked a distributor what had happened and he said Corn Starch had gotten so expensive they cut back on how much corn starch was in the chalk instead of having to raise the price. Well in response National Chalk came out with a "Players Choice" chalk endorsed by Efren Reyes, Nick Varner, Lori Jon Jones and Oliver Ortman. It is almost identical to the old Masters. It is all I have used for about 5 years. If National still makes it it is worth the investment to buy a few gross of it to have on hand. Don't waste your time with regular National, but Players Choice is great.
Chris
www.internationalcuemakers.com
www.cuesmith.com


Is this what they are now calling 'National Tournament Chalk'?
 
dafatman said:
Not too long ago Earl told me that "I used to never have to scuff a tip once it was put on and chalked correctly", and I kinda dismissed it thinking of how often I and other players seem to have to "mess" with a tip.

Well the first of May 2004 I pulled out a different cue, (cause I was in a slump with the one I had been playing with) and I started using it getting ready to go to Vegas. I pulled out of my case an old piece of Masters blue, the same brand of chalk I have been using for years, and I immediately started playing better again. I began to notice the "friction" of the chalk as I chalked my tip with this old piece of chalk and started showing it to other players. Everyone could tell the difference in the feel of the application of the chalk with this piece of chalk.......to make a long story short, I have not scuffed or picked or done anything to this Triangle tip (same I've been using,too) but one time from May to now (Sept). And the reason I had to scuff the tip was because I had just about worn out the piece of chalk and I picked up a new piece. Very shortly thereafter I began losing that feel of the cue ball and noticed the tip "glazing" over. I removed the "new" chalk, re'scuffed the tip,went back to the old worn out piece of Masters, and I haven't touched it again in a month.

Don't get me wrong, I still would miscue occassionally due to a stroke flaw or error, but all I have to do is chalk up over the miscue with this "old" piece of
Masters and it's like nothing ever happened. This piece of chalk is a deep cobalt blue looking color versus the lighter blue shade that the new stuff if today. I've worn this piece down to about an 1/4" thick, and I guess I'll have to give up the game when it's worn out, cause this piece of chalk is the bomb.
I really believe Earl was right and that the new formula's of chalk do not coat and bond to the tips like the old stuff. This old piece feels like a sandy grit is being rubbed on the tip, and it coats like paint, grips like rubber, and I WANT ANOTHER PIECE OF IT cause I've sure enjoyed playing with this one!!!!!!!
I know the feeling. I get that nice "gritty" feel with the "APA" logo chalk.
 
depends on the tip ...

It depends on the tip you play with ... and guys, if you shoot with a layered tip, you should never scuff it, only use a tip pik on it.

I have found that with a meduim hard layered tip (I use Hercules) that you miscue much less than a non layered tip.

I have noticed some variations in Masters chalk the past few years also.

I, personally, like new chalk or no more than 1/3 of the way down so I do not get my ferrule dirty and a ring around it. And you should brush your chalk on, turn your cue, and brush again. I hate squeakers ... hate them ... hate them...

Have some class, keep your ferrule white and clean...

I, personally, clean my cue with a biodegradable 'Orange' cleaner, shaft and ferrule, wipe dry, and then use Pledge on a clean dry cotton cloth to the shaft only to keep it smooth stroking... It works very well, and much cheaper that buying the bottles for cleaning and polishing shafts by cuemakers.

I recently had to have a new ferrule and Hercules tip put on my break cue since I busted the ferrule on an 8 ball break (chunk came out in the botton half of the ferrule), and I got one of the new TipPik's with the new black plastic casings that goes on your keychain, and it is much better than the old ones made out of brass. The needles are recessed at one end, so there is no need for an end cap, which is good. Same price, $12.
 
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I've heard that you should never use a tip pic on a laminated tip as it can weaken it, cause it to break down and de-laminate.I've been told that a tip tapper is the best choice for a laminated tip.RJ
 
CaptainJR said:
Is this what they are now calling 'National Tournament Chalk'?
No National Tournament Chalk is their regular chalk. Players Choice is the best out there right now as far as I am concerned. I bought a few gross of it for personal use and have not contacted them in years, but was told it did not catch on, so they may discontinue it.
Chris
 
The following is from...
http://www.moori-tips.com/information-and-maintenance.htm


[HOW TO MAINTAIN YOUR MOORI TIP:

A: Continually moisten and “Burnish” the Sides with leather or a dollar bill,

THIS STEP IS CRUCIAL IN THE BREAK-IN PERIOD.

A. $100 dollar bill works better..!!!!

B: Maintain the crown on the tip. Similar to a dime.

C: Refrain from sanding or scuffing the tip. If the tip will not hold chalk....

D.wet the top of the tip, let dry and re-apply chalk......MASTERS CUE CHALK is recommended.]
 
cueman said:
Tweeten changed the formula for Masters several years ago and the chalk has not put as good of a coat on the tips since. I asked a distributor what had happened and he said Corn Starch had gotten so expensive they cut back on how much corn starch was in the chalk instead of having to raise the price. Well in response National Chalk came out with a "Players Choice" chalk endorsed by Efren Reyes, Nick Varner, Lori Jon Jones and Oliver Ortman. It is almost identical to the old Masters. It is all I have used for about 5 years. If National still makes it it is worth the investment to buy a few gross of it to have on hand. Don't waste your time with regular National, but Players Choice is great.
Chris
www.internationalcuemakers.com
www.cuesmith.com

Hi Cueman, I searched the internet for National Chalk and couldn't find anything on "Players Choice" chalk. All I could find was the cheap stuff. If you know where one could purchase some of this chalk ,please PM me or post here. Thanks, RJ
 
I cant find players choice chalk too thruough google search. Im almost out of old masters chalk too :(
 
So what we are all saying here is,

The new Masters chalk is a different formula than the old and doen't hold on the tip.

No other good chalk is available.

We are shit out of luck.

GREAT!!!

Don't they know that people would pay extra for quality chalk.
 
I found an interesting product. It is an Indicating Silica Gel Desiccant Capsule. This absorbs moisture and changes color when it can no longer absorb moisture. You can order just 100 or 50 "to evaluate the product".

I ordered 50 of 2.5 gm (1/2" x 1.375") capsules and will stick one in my bag with my chalk, another in my box of chalk, and I suppose I'll get a small box to put my pool table chalk in and place another in there. The rest I'll put in a plastic bag.

I suppose after a few weeks, I'll get a call from this company asking if I want to order 50,000 more!

Indicating Silica Gel Desiccant Capsules...
http://www.sorbentsystems.com/desiccant.html
 
I've heard two different things on the Master Chalk situation. One is the corn starch thing, and another is a legal situation. I've heard that they used lead in the chalk, and some lawyers were threatening a class action (i remember a thread about harmful chalk dust a while back.) I'd like to know which it is, or what, or how long it will take to get some damn decent chalk...

Thanks,

Jon (Pissed in Mayberry)
 
CaptainJR said:
Is this what they are now calling 'National Tournament Chalk'?

I don't believe so. I think NTC is just the full name of the company. I have some NTC chalk with a red label and It is basically the same as Master's in my opinion. A friend has some NTC with a black label he swears by it and won't use anything else. Maybe the black label stuff is the "Player's Choice".
 
recoveryjones said:
I've heard that you should never use a tip pic on a laminated tip as it can weaken it, cause it to break down and de-laminate.I've been told that a tip tapper is the best choice for a laminated tip.RJ

A tip pick is fine with a layered tip if you don't twist the tip-pik once you've hit the points into the tip. Just tap it something like a tip-tapper. That's what I've heard anyway, personally I very rarely tap it or tip pik it or scuff it.
 
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