My FT2 is a phenolic that will not split like the material that is sold by our suppliers. I have it made for my cues and it also holds chalk better because it fusses up when cut,
As far as the most difficult jumps, the tip is a small part of the jump cue. It is whats behind it that makes the beat jump cues the best. Lets take the object ball you are jumping over being 3 to 4 foot from the cue ball, not may jump cues can do this shot with out jumping off the table because you have to hit them too hard to get the distance and height. Not many jump cues can dom this shot at all with any accuracy.