I have probably a very redundant question-questions about different shafts and the importance of the butt. Over the last 10 months I have had some health issues with lower back and heart. I have basically retired and about the only activity left for me that holds any interest is pool. I was a 4-6 day a week golfer 2-handicapper but will not be able to play golf for at least for another 8-12 months. So over the last 10 months I have put in a pool room in the house and play a lot of local tourneys in 9-ball and 8-ball.
One of my mini-projects was exploring cues and shafts (it has been a great time), as I had basically quit playing pool 23 years ago after my 4 sons had grown and left the nest (except when they need money). Right now I am playing with a Schon, Lucasi, Mezz, Predator, CC, McDermott, Pechauer, Joss, Joss West, Scorpion, Jacoby, Steve Klein, Adams 1975ish era, Viking, Capone, Dominiak, Espiritu, Omen, Samsara, Jerico, Meucci 2005 till present, Richard Black, and Skip Weston.
The shafts I have been playing with these cues are the shafts that came with the cues, Smart Shaft, 314-2, Z2, OB-1, and just recently Dominator. In a thread that I read recently it was stated that the balance and the butt had very little influence on the playability of the cue.
I personally do not find this to be true. I have been playing 8 (race to 5), 9 (race to 11), and 10 ball (race to 11) matches with myself against different cues. First of all I would like to say that I have enjoyed and found that each of the cues have a lot of nice things to be said for them. That being said a few of the cues have constantly stood out and the shafts have been the OB-1 and 314-2 with the exception of the Z2 when I was really in-stroke, all tips are morri med, everest, or sniper.
So far the cue combos that really stood out were Steve Klein with ivory joint and Radial pin----OB-1, Espiritu with 5/16-14 pin----314-2, Schon 5/16-14 pin----314-2, Samsara Radial pin----OB-1, Richard Black 5/16-14-------OB-1 AND Mezz 5/16-14----OB-1 (in that order).
To me there was a definite difference in hit and control depending not only the shaft and tip but also the quality of the Butt.
Cheers---------------------Shortman
One of my mini-projects was exploring cues and shafts (it has been a great time), as I had basically quit playing pool 23 years ago after my 4 sons had grown and left the nest (except when they need money). Right now I am playing with a Schon, Lucasi, Mezz, Predator, CC, McDermott, Pechauer, Joss, Joss West, Scorpion, Jacoby, Steve Klein, Adams 1975ish era, Viking, Capone, Dominiak, Espiritu, Omen, Samsara, Jerico, Meucci 2005 till present, Richard Black, and Skip Weston.
The shafts I have been playing with these cues are the shafts that came with the cues, Smart Shaft, 314-2, Z2, OB-1, and just recently Dominator. In a thread that I read recently it was stated that the balance and the butt had very little influence on the playability of the cue.
I personally do not find this to be true. I have been playing 8 (race to 5), 9 (race to 11), and 10 ball (race to 11) matches with myself against different cues. First of all I would like to say that I have enjoyed and found that each of the cues have a lot of nice things to be said for them. That being said a few of the cues have constantly stood out and the shafts have been the OB-1 and 314-2 with the exception of the Z2 when I was really in-stroke, all tips are morri med, everest, or sniper.
So far the cue combos that really stood out were Steve Klein with ivory joint and Radial pin----OB-1, Espiritu with 5/16-14 pin----314-2, Schon 5/16-14 pin----314-2, Samsara Radial pin----OB-1, Richard Black 5/16-14-------OB-1 AND Mezz 5/16-14----OB-1 (in that order).
To me there was a definite difference in hit and control depending not only the shaft and tip but also the quality of the Butt.
Cheers---------------------Shortman
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