Hazards of knocking cue

Hooper840

Hooper840

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Hello all,

I was playing league tonight and my opponent accidentally knocked over my cue sending it flying into a hard landing on the linoleum floor. There seemed to be no immediate damage, but what are the hazards of that happening (what could happen to the stick, realistically, by taking a hard fall?)

Thanks
 
It depends on many things that could determine whether your cue could sustain some internal damage. In reality, not much chance of that. It would have to take a pretty hard hit.
Cues get knocked over all the time. Pretty much the only damage is on the finish or shaft.

I go out of my way to hide and protect my cue when I'm not playing.
For some strange reason, there is always somebody that can figure out a way to knock it over.
 
You could lose your tip, break or crack a ferrule especially if it's ivory. Had a guy knock over my cues awhile back. Thankfully nothing happened, but he did manage to break one of my joint protectors so I guess you could include phenolic joints. The worst part about it is that he didn't think I saw it so he just put it all up real quick and didn't say anything. I didn't realize he broke the jp till he was gone.
 
Pretty much the most damage that is likely from what I've seen through personal experience, is that the cue could become slightly warped. This happens if it hits the floor, or falls over and smashing into something else, like the edge of a table.

Sometimes the cue will bow and rattle which can potentially create a hairline fracture in the ferrule. My advice, keep it in hand or buy one of those clip on holders that you can stick to a table. They're pretty cheap through Pool Dawg and Muellers.
 
shaken, not stirred...

Anything a cue hits on its way down to the floor is what typically causes dings, scratches or dents.

As was pointed out by blue hog ridr, internal damage from a cue falling to the ground in these situations would be unlikely.

This is the reason why so many of us have what we consider to be our bar cues.

There's no getting around the fact that when there are people being served alcohol, pool sticks are at an increased risk of being knocked over. :(

Best,
Brian kc
 
This has happened to me on several occassions...usually no damage at all, but the most likely damage would be a cracked ferule or loss/damage of tip (the glue cracks and tip starts to come off. The only part of the cue that really hits with force on a hard floor is the tip, which kind of cracks like a whip into the floor. Surprisingly, the rest of the cue doesn't take much of a hit, the force is shot out through the end of the tip. Now, if it hits the edge of a table/chair, that's a whole different matter, usually a ding, but usually no huge damage. Since then, I've made it a point to minimize the time my cue isn't actually in my hand or case, and keep aware of the idiots stumbling around the area...
 
Thanks for all the replies. You all have eased my mind!

When it fell, it was like slow motion. It was all I could think about the rest of the night. Guess I'm a natural worry wart :/
 
In the Case

In my league I always unscrew my cue and put it in the case between matches. I have seen too many cues be beat up leaning against walls or tables.

-dj
 
Z3RO...I don't know where you heard this, but there is no truth to your statement. A cue might warp if you stand it in a corner, screwed together, for a long time. It would never warp from falling on the floor, even if it struck something on the way down...other damage, maybe...but warp?...never!

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com

Z3R0 said:
Pretty much the most damage that is likely from what I've seen through personal experience, is that the cue could become slightly warped. This happens if it hits the floor, or falls over and smashing into something else, like the edge of a table.
Click to expand...
 
Also there usually will be grit embedded in a line up the side of the shaft if it falls on a dirty floor. Not cool.
 
Scott Lee said:
Z3RO...I don't know where you heard this, but there is no truth to your statement. A cue might warp if you stand it in a corner, screwed together, for a long time. It would never warp from falling on the floor, even if it struck something on the way down...other damage, maybe...but warp?...never!

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
Click to expand...

From what I've been told and read, banging the butt of a cue against a hard surface can cause it to warp slightly, especially when dropped. Add that to it falling and the tip striking a surface on the way down, such as the edge of a table, to cause the cue to bow and flex.

I certainly don't consider myself to be an expert on the matter, by that's my thoughts.
 
I'm with Scott on this. Short term flexing or bending of a cue will not warp it. I bend break cues all the time when I break, and there is no warpage. If anything happens to a cue when it falls, it's gonna be a cracked ferrule or a tip popping off. If it hits something on the way down, probably gonna get a ding.
 
9bizzle said:
I'm with Scott on this. Short term flexing or bending of a cue will not warp it. I bend break cues all the time when I break, and there is no warpage. If anything happens to a cue when it falls, it's gonna be a cracked ferrule or a tip popping off. If it hits something on the way down, probably gonna get a ding.
Click to expand...

Break cues are designed specifically to accommodate the force needed to use it. Regular cues are more subject to warp easily.

Note, I mentioned it could become potentialy warped, certainly from repeat abuse and miscare. I'm not saying if you drop you're stick you're going to ruin it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top