Is $169 a bad price for a CF shaft?

[PracticeChampion]

I found a Chinese company that advertises high quality carbon blanks, at a low price.

I emailed the company and discussed coating the shaft wood colored. The company said no problem ( under $75).

So yes a low cost Carbon shaft is doable.

I did not purchase yet, so buyer be ware! Attached is the site...

I can't speak for them and I'm sure all cheap shafts aren't the same but a few cheap ones I've touched have a very noticeable ridge running down them.

 

[Icon of Sin]

We used to put a little spit on toilet paper and apply to the ding. It kind of pops the wood back if it is a small ding.

Yeah small dings. Hot water works a bit better... but the moisture will also raise the wood slightly and possibly cause a rough spot... requiring a bit of sandpaper just to smooth it back out.

 

[DDiabolico]

Wha
What benefits does cf give you over maple shafts in breaking?

Cf break shafts are a lot stiffer which means you get better energy transfer. You don't have to break that hard to get the same power you would with a wood shaft, therefore you can focus more on controlling the cueball.

 

[Welder84]

I’m waiting on a CF shaft that the cuemaker says will have a full wooden tenon. I don’t know how far it will go. He also will use a ferrule instead of a “vault plate.” I just don’t see this going well.

I am surprised manufacturers would not coat the Carbon shafts a wood color. I have looked at buying a couple blanks and having them made that way (just to tinker). I would call my shafts "The Crossover"...

 

[PracticeChampion]

I am surprised manufacturers would not coat the Carbon shafts a wood color. I have looked at buying a couple blanks and having them made that way (just to tinker). I would call my shafts "The Crossover"...

There already out there

 

[garczar]

I can't speak for them and I'm sure all cheap shafts aren't the same but a few cheap ones I've touched have a very noticeable ridge running down them.

If it has a ridge/seam it was made using roll/flag wrapping and not done correctly. Roll wrapping can leave a seam after curing. It needs to be turned/sanded off before markings/logos go on.

 

[garczar]

I am surprised manufacturers would not coat the Carbon shafts a wood color. I have looked at buying a couple blanks and having them made that way (just to tinker). I would call my shafts "The Crossover"...

Problem with coating is you run the danger of losing one of the key benefits of a cf shaft: its oh-so-slick finish. I'd much rather have a super-slick natural black finish over a sticky one that looked like wood. I couldn't care less if it looks like wood or not. I don't look at it while playing.

 

[Icon of Sin]

I am surprised manufacturers would not coat the Carbon shafts a wood color. I have looked at buying a couple blanks and having them made that way (just to tinker). I would call my shafts "The Crossover"...

Leaving it black is better for marketing... easier to identify from a distance over all the other wood shafts out there.

 

[Grimper]

Konollen and JFlowers are selling entire cues WITH a CF shaft for 300bux and based on what i've heard/read they are selling the hell out of them. Low price isn't hurting their action. People that know the game and have some knowledge of equipment will buy a shaft at this price-point. The $$$$$=quality is often used by posers just wanting to flaunt their bankroll. I think most pool players are smarter than that. If its well made and plays good the word WILL get around. I'd try one now if they were available.

$300 vs $160 is a huge difference.

 

[garczar]

$300 vs $160 is a huge difference.

$300 is for a WHOLE cue. Not just the shaft.

 

[Welder84]

Problem with coating is you run the danger of losing one of the key benefits of a cf shaft: its oh-so-slick finish. I'd much rather have a super-slick natural black finish over a sticky one that looked like wood. I couldn't care less if it looks like wood or not. I don't look at it while playing.

Aren't they coated now?

 

[garczar]

Aren't they coated now?

They are basically just sanded/polished to a super slick outer finish. That's why some turn cleaning rags black-ish the first few time you clean one.

 

[Poolplaya9]

$300 is for a WHOLE cue. Not just the shaft.

Most people already own a butt though so that would in many of their opinions be $140 wasted for nothing when they already could or even prefer to use the butt they have. The choice of a $160 shaft, or $300 to get the shaft along with a butt you don't need, is an easy one for many/most.

If these $169 shafts make it to market though, the guy selling the $300 whole carbon fiber cue will probably be the first one to go ahead and offer just his shafts for the same price though. He already values them for more or less around that amount, he just won't currently let you buy them separately but I would have to think that would change as soon as their is a shaft competitor in the same price category.

 

[jbcueman]

Where can I buy this CF shaft?? I just bought a new shaft that I have not even chalked yet but may try the CF too.

 

[garczar]

Where can I buy this CF shaft?? I just bought a new shaft that I have not even chalked yet but may try the CF too.

Not out. He's still testing the market. I hope he makes them myself.