I understand your sentiments and until I found out and learned there was a set of cue specs that was my sweet spot.
In the early 2000’s, I switched from playing a heavier piloted steel joint pool cue to a lighter weight, different joint cue.
I played so much better and enjoyed playing pool more than I retired my Runde Schon and gradually added other cues.
However, I made sure every custom cue I ordered made used the same specs so that all the cues were closely alike.
IMO, this simplifies and ensures that I can remove any cue in my 6x12 case and switch cues with very little discernible
difference in the hit, tactile feel & balance of the cues. I was very careful about whom I hired to build my custom cues.
I’ve previously posted why I have so many cues when 3-4 seems like a pretty ideal number when actually all you need
is a cue. Just a single cue is all you really need and you can use a house cue for breaking. Here is what I have learned.
3/4 of the pool players I know or meet know very little about their pool cues other the cue tip or the cue maker. I think
that is just absurd how many readers really understand pool cue anatomy or what comprises a cue’s weight & feel.
I am not here to educate, lecture nor criticize anyone that is unfamiliar with their pool cue’s specs. As long as you like
what you’re using, congrats. Herein lies the rub. You likely do not know, or discovered yet, what would suit you better.
I can yank any cue from my case during a match or playing in a tournament eyes closed if a shaft didn’t feel right.
All of my cues shafts are smooth as satin and I’ve posted about why. Lots of readers took my advice and enjoyed it.
The best thing that has happened to maple shafts is Kielwood and I added KW shafts to my cue collection. Most will
ignore what I writing but with KW, don’t get a KW shaft that’s much lighter than any shaft you’re currently playing with.
Since my orig. maple shafts are approx. 4 ozs. & flat faced wood, it won’t be easy to do that unless the KW shaft was
cored, 30” vs. 29” or had weight added using inserts. My shafts don’t and the weight consists of wood, tip and ferrule.
Be that as it may, the question of how many cues basically comes down to how many do you desire or can afford.
The financial challenge becomes do you have a cue built or shop until you see what you like and cues are expensive.
Yet, all of us probably know, or seen, pool players that can walk in a room, randomly pick a house cue & drill your ass.
A pool cue, regardless of whom made it or how much it costs, cannot compensate for anyone w/ lousy fundamentals.
