hand talc

Talc gets your hands dirty, your cue shaft dirty, and often the table bed dirty. All three should be avoided.

Clean hands and a clean, well burnished shaft are the best way to achieve a smooth stroke on your cue.

Good Rolls,
Rasta
 
I have seen many pros use talc. They use it VERY sparingly but they use it. Just look at the tables where they sit during a match, by the end of the day that stuff is everywhere.
 
I've been asked not to use talc at some places.

I used to be the guy in the corner behind the white cloud of talc dust during games.

Rarely I use it now anyway, but if you must;

a little bit is all you need, apply it to the crotch of your finger and thumb.

People seem to need talc more often when people are using graphite or fiberglass shaft that is non porous.
 
In my opinion, I don't think you need it if you keep the shaft of your stick clean. I seem to get by without it.

The problem has been stated by others, some people use way, way too much talc. If you must, use it very sparingly.
 
use a glove, you can't get any smoother than that, and no hassle. your hands can sweat all they like and it won't make any difference.
 
Use it sparingly, and keep washing your hands in cold water.

Some people with sweaty hands (like myself) cannot use a glove. I lose feel with my cue, but mainly my open bridge is such that a glove causes the shaft to slide off my bridge hand.

-Roger
 
People seem to need talc more often when people are using graphite or fiberglass shaft that is non porous.[/

That is exactly when talc does not work. If there are no pores for the talc to adhere it just falls off fiberglass or graphite.
 
I use a very small amount of talc. I was told by a very reputable cuemaker, Ernie G, that the only way to treat the shaft is to use talc and if it really needs cleaning wipe it with a rag dampened in lacquer thinner.

If you watch the pros you will see that there is some talc powder sprinkled on the table next to their chair and they will roll or dip their shaft in it.
 
While in Las Vegas, I was talking to Robin Dodson about her jump cue and she ask how the team was doing, I told her I was nervous and was having trouble with sweaty hands. She told me to take a clean white towel, get it wet, then wring it out as much as I could, so it was just damp, then in between innings wipe your hands on the towel.
It is just wet enough to keep your hands clean, but, dry enough not to take a long time to dry. This has been good to keep my cue shafts cleaner too.

Mike
 
NittiFan said:
. . .take a clean white towel, get it wet, then wring it out as much as I could, so it was just damp, then in between innings wipe your hands on the towel.
It is just wet enough to keep your hands clean, but, dry enough not to take a long time to dry.

Good tip. Thanks for passing it along.

Good Rolls,
Rasta
 
SILVER__WOMBAT said:
iv benn told not to use hand talc when playing pool does anyone have an opinion:confused:

I own a pool room in Lakewood, Washington. I will not allow hand chalk to be used, I do however, supply gloves for my customers who have extremely moist hands.

The reason, that I do not allow hand chalk is because of the mess made from it's use. People will have the stuff all over the Table (cloth and Rails) the floor, seating and every where else they touch:eek: :D .

What I teach my customers is how to maintain they shafts properly. In most cases this will solve the need for hand chalk in the first place. Like I said above, I will supply a glove for those people with sweaty palms:p

By the way, depending on how wet the glove is when it is returned:eek: I some times just let them kept it:D. It is worth the expense to have a happy customer.
 
SILVER__WOMBAT said:
iv benn told not to use hand talc when playing pool does anyone have an opinion:confused:

Use it all the time. It's become part of my entire routine. Even like the way it smells.:D

Even after cleaning and smoothing my shaft before going out to shoot, find that it still helps. Especially if you play in a humid room, or have a tendency for sweaty hands.

Of course, it helps to tip the houseperson!:)

Jim
 
I think talc in "moderation" may be okay if they immediately rub their shaft in it and where the shaft slides through their bridge. I hate the people who use talc like olympians getting ready to do the pommel horse or rings. All over their palms and when they go to shoot you see a full hand print on the table. and streaks where they dragged their fingers. :mad:

Just wash your hands and clean your shaft and it will be fine. While playing a long session you may have to wipe it down every hour or so.
 
Using it sparingly can elevate the glass-like feeling if you use quality talc. I used to be 100% purist as far as anything between my hand and my cue, but after a little bit of talc in a turquoise bag (not sure what the brand is) that's pretty much impossible to use too much of, I'm sold on that after two or three racks instead of washing and wiping. I still clean my cue at the end of the night, so it has no negative effect.
 
jimmyg said:
Use it all the time. It's become part of my entire routine. Even like the way it smells.:D

Even after cleaning and smoothing my shaft before going out to shoot, find that it still helps. Especially if you play in a humid room, or have a tendency for sweaty hands.

Of course, it helps to tip the houseperson!:)

Jim
Me too. I love the smell. It reminds me of playing pool with my Dad when I was a kid. It seems like everyone used it back then. BUT, I use it sparingly.
 
TheBook said:
I use a very small amount of talc. I was told by a very reputable cuemaker, Ernie G, that the only way to treat the shaft is to use talc and if it really needs cleaning wipe it with a rag dampened in lacquer thinner.

If you watch the pros you will see that there is some talc powder sprinkled on the table next to their chair and they will roll or dip their shaft in it.

What's the purpose of that? Cleaning?
 
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