Is a second shaft necessary?

The Piper

The Piper

Get Ugly...
Silver Member
So that's my question. I'm in the process of having a cue made, and well I only ordered one shaft. I can add a second one, it's going to be a while, but I'm wondering why I should? Thoughts?

I do not play in tournaments, where I could see a second shaft being necessary if a tip pops off etc.

and I will never sell this cue. So should I have another shaft made?


Also this will be players cue, and there is no extra fancy ringwork on it.
 
I dont think it is necessary to have second shaft and I think it is ridiculous when people have 5-8 shafts made for 1 cue
 
My cue came with 3 shafts, they were all different though, different diameters and lengths, all played different. If you KNOW you will like how the shaft plays, get one. Although if you end up dinging up that one or don't like it, you'd want a second one anyway.

Matching shafts by the maker are great for having the feel and playability that cue maker is going for, and is also very good to have for resale value for a collectible cue. For a cue from a sought after maker, it may be a great idea to get 3-4-5 shafts made for it. If the cuemaker retires or dies, having all those shafts, with several probably untouched is a great thing. Like selling a 60s corvette with two extra new original engines and seats.

A Joss or something people could care less about the shaft unless it's an older one with original shaft. Many people just stick an aftermarket LD shaft on the cue and kill most of the feel of the original anyway.
 
PIPER,

You may not need another shaft but it might prove interesting to have a second one made with a different ferrule material.
You never know, you may find that you like something different.
Either way, enjoy your new cue.

SLIM
 
I never used to have extra shafts, but now I wouldn't go any other way. I have a pair matched from one end to the other for my normal play (ivory ferrules and Wizard hard tips) and another shaft with an Aegis ferrule and Thomas med tip.
 
Personally, I think anyone using a popular shaft like Predator, OB or Tiger can get away with having a single shaft unless they're in the poolroom and gambling/competing near daily. I say this because if you ever need to replace the shaft, they're very available and there's a strong likelihood your money will be better spent buying a new one when needed than having two aging shafts sharing wear.

That said, you're getting a handmade cue. There's a chance the cue-maker could one day quit making cues OR maybe they develop a new method that you're not fond of. Either way, handmade shafts are a limited quantity. If I were you, I would get as many as you think you'll need for the time you'll own it. If you plan on never selling it, you should have at least two.
 
Totally up to you. You can always get a back up shaft to fit at a later date.

I currently use one cue and have 3 shafts for it. I prefer to use a 12mm and have 2 12.75mms for a back up.

No matter what you league or tourney play is, you can find yourself in need of a spare shaft. As in, if you drop one shaft off to be re tipped and you have to wait a day or so to pick it up.
 
Personally, I think the question should be why not, it never hurts to have another in case the one gets a large nick in it that can't be removed over night. The chances of a tip falling off today are much less because the glue is much better than when I started playing. Some will tell you that having an unplayed shaft is a selling point but I think it's a myth, I've always played with all my shafts {please, don't:rolleyes:} and never had a problem selling a cue.
 
You say you will never sell cue.

Everybody says that. My friend Brian Roberts in Louisville tells me at least 2 times a year and about 6 months later sells me the cue that he had earlier told me he would never sell...:rolleyes:

If you ever do sell it, it is tougher to sell a cue with only one shaft.

Best of rolls,

Ken
 
Personally I think two shafts is always a good choice. The general reason most people give is "what if you're in the middle of a big $$ game or tourney and the tip pops off...". But how often does that happen, really?:rolleyes:. My main rationale is if one shaft gets a ding or needs some sort of repair, heck even if it needs a new tip or ferrule, you always have the second to play with while the other is being worked on. Plus, if you play alot, and clean your shafts even semi-often, they will wear down over time - very slowly if you don't sand them, but still.. Better to have two shafts that you can split the wear of many hours of play between.
 
I got a 29 and 30" shaft for one of my customs. Did it for fun and to compare. Two shafts are not necessary. Get a second only if you want to.
 
If your in a match and your tip falls off, would you care if you had to use a different cue? If I can't draw my ball more than a couple three feet, and if I only play once or twice a week, I'd get one shaft.
 
Thanks for the informative view points everyone!

I have nothing against a second shaft I was just curious what everyone's rationale is behind it.

I definitely won't sell. I'm not a cue collector and I get attached to things like this. I don't play nearly as often as I used to, and once I get comfortable with something I tend to settle in. Plus I have another hobby that likes to put holes into my wallet. :frown:
 
If you compete a second shaft is a must have. If you`r unlucky and the tip goes flying or something happens to your shaft, you have a backup.
 
The Piper said:
Thanks for the informative view points everyone!

I have nothing against a second shaft I was just curious what everyone's rationale is behind it.

I definitely won't sell. I'm not a cue collector and I get attached to things like this. I don't play nearly as often as I used to, and once I get comfortable with something I tend to settle in. Plus I have another hobby that likes to put holes into my wallet. :frown:
Click to expand...

I like having two shafts. Now I play a lot, nearly everyday, so I use the shafts alternately so they are always pretty much the same. I maintain my shafts with Mylar fine grit sheets. So over time, several years, they do get thinner, marginally. But they always feel exactly the same.

Two shafts are a must for me to experiment with new tips. And it's nice to always have a shaft to play with when one is getting a new tip. :thumbup:
 
The Piper said:
So that's my question. I'm in the process of having a cue made, and well I only ordered one shaft. I can add a second one, it's going to be a while, but I'm wondering why I should? Thoughts?

I do not play in tournaments, where I could see a second shaft being necessary if a tip pops off etc.

and I will never sell this cue. So should I have another shaft made?


Also this will be players cue, and there is no extra fancy ringwork on it.
Click to expand...
:smile:


Yes...get a second shaft. As long as the ringwork isn't fancy, it shouldn't cost much.



With a second shaft...you will always like one better than the other.

With a second shaft...one might warp and the other might stay straight.

Nice to have a second shaft...at least you know it will fit right.:thumbup:
 
You'll probably never have a tip just randomly fall off. If you've got other places to spend the money, don't worry about it. If you've got too much money and need to get rid of it, buy a spare shaft. I've only ever had 1 spare and that was the original shaft when I had a Z. Now my entire set-up(bag and all contents) is probably less than many here spend on a case. Heck, probably less than a shaft.
 
Pushout said:
Personally, I think the question should be why not, it never hurts to have another in case the one gets a large nick in it that can't be removed over night. The chances of a tip falling off today are much less because the glue is much better than when I started playing. Some will tell you that having an unplayed shaft is a selling point but I think it's a myth, I've always played with all my shafts {please, don't:rolleyes:} and never had a problem selling a cue.
Click to expand...

^^^ This.

Was in a tournament one time, where, as I was turning around with the cue in my hands (held vertically), crashed into someone's hand that had large rings on. A loud woody "clack" could be heard, and yep, sure enough, there were dings on the shaft *right where* it stroked through my bridge hand. (I didn't hear the person trying to pass by my table [carpet on the floor], and just as I got up off the shot and was turning to the other side of the table, was when he and I crashed into each other.)

Luckily, I happened to have a spare shaft with the same dimensions, ferrule, and tip as the one that was just dinged, and I simply changed shafts and completed the match successfully. Had that been a situation where the shaft was very different, or if I would've had to switch to another playing cue, I'm not sure I would've felt comfortable or adapted quick enough.

Anyway, it's a judgement call. I agree with Jude (and others) with respect to the fact if the cuemaker changes processes or goes out of business altogether, you may be left out in the cold if you need a new/spare shaft in the future. Buy what you can for today, and that's less you have to worry about in the future.

-Sean
 
"Better to have an extra shaft and not need it
...than to not have one and need it. "

-Benjamin Franklin Pennsylvania Gazette, 17 November 1737.
 
2nd shaft

If you plan on handing this cue down to you children or grand children.

Resale on any custom cue where one of the shafts is in or like new is worth more.

Nice to always give yourself the confidence that no matter what happens you shouldn't ever have to stress over equipment failure, a back up shaft or cue is nothing less then fantastic when you really need it..

Tips popping off, I have a couple cue lathes never had a tip pop off on my cue.
But I do all the bar cues in town and most everyone around this area.
And I have had some customers tips pop off, not proud of this fact but it is still a fact.

I do not know of one pool player that has not had some kind of problem with a tip or a ferrule.

At the same time I know one road player that only plays with a bar cue , and he is good.
 
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