Haven't heard to many concerns with ivory joints. Except for fear of cracking. Just wondering if there are joints and ferrules one should avoid. I have heard ivory ferrules are bad for deflection issues. Are there other ferrules to avoid? I know some times cues are built with certain materials to look nice. Just don't know when it's at the expense of playability. There are so many material used in building cues today. I am looking to buy a cue. Maybe a custom. Yes I want it to look nice as well as being a player. Some cues I have liked have ivory ferrules. Just don't know if I should completely avoid them or not. I prefer to play with the shafts that came with the cue.
Joints and ferrules
- Thread starter jburkm002
- Start date
I have always used ivory ferrules and never had a problem. Just don't let the tip get so worn that it's down to the ferrule. Also, some people have the thin black or red pad installed under the tip, which helps protect the ferrule. And I don't think you should break with it. As for the feel or performance, I'm really not sure if there's a difference. I never tried anything else.
I've never had a problem with the ivory ferrules on my cues and love playing with them so much that the two cues coming next month have ivory ferrules......wouldn't have anything else except for perhaps the GE Micarta original ferrules on my '85 Runde Schon.
Been playing with ivory ferrules and joints for over 20 years. Never have played with anything else. No problems or issues either. About the squirt characteristics ivory being a heavy material can cause the cueball to squirt more than other ferrule combos. It is nothing that anyone can't adjust for.
''are bad for deflection''
I don't understand what ''bad'' means, could you explain?
The ferrule is what attaches the tip to the shaft of the cue. The best ferrules are made of a high quality ivory in case of antique pool cues.
I love ivory ferrules and joints.
Had a custom Joss way back in the day with Ivory joint, ferrules, and butt plate.
I now shoot with an ivory jointed Gilbert with ivory ferrules.
The hit of ivory is fantastic. Once you feel it, if it is to your liking, you won't want to shoot with anything else.
I have a pad on all of my ivory ferrules for extra protection. I have never had an ivory ferrule crack or anything.
Had a custom Joss way back in the day with Ivory joint, ferrules, and butt plate.
I now shoot with an ivory jointed Gilbert with ivory ferrules.
The hit of ivory is fantastic. Once you feel it, if it is to your liking, you won't want to shoot with anything else.
I have a pad on all of my ivory ferrules for extra protection. I have never had an ivory ferrule crack or anything.
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Ivory generally produces a harder hit. What kind of tip are you shooting with?
There are also substitutes out there such as IvorX etc, that are stronger and very similar playing characteristics. People want ivory because it's rare, nobody needs it in order to make a cue play well.
To answer the OP's question,
I would avoid loosely woven ferrule material. Try to use materials on ferrules that don't take chalk easily. I personally don't care for ss joints, but they are sturdy. Phenolic joints are good, juma is good, there are many styles. There are a countless number of joint variations and ferrule types. Most have their own pro's and con's and are used to achieve a certain "hit". Even the size of the tenon, whether it's capped or uncapped, etc affect structural integrity and feel. In the Ask the Cuemaker section, there are many threads on ferrule types and joint materials. I suggest looking there for very detailed info.