smokey said:
Thanks for the congrats!
And I'm really not at all surprised to learn that Keith does his own splicing, and you must be right when you said "...which may explain why they play so stinking well".
Someone last week also told me I made a mistake with the 314, but I can't imagine this cue getting any better. Which of Keith's would be better; Old Growth, Standard or do you consider that both are better than the 314?
Question: Skins = Keith, huh?
Thanks,
Miles
As already stated, skins is not Keith and Sherri.....skins is skins...lol.

I am sure if I am wrong, he will correct me, but skins is responsible for some of the inlay designs found in past cues from Joey Gold (Cog) as well as some of (or maybe even most all) of the inlay designs found in Keith's cues, it is my understanding that he now designs exclusively for Keith and Sherri. At any rate, he is extended Josey family.
As to the original Josey shafts.....my experience is limited to the 'standard' Josey shaft...which is pretty darn stiff, and they're drop-dead gorgeous, btw...top quality shaftwood there...awesome playing. I plan, when I order my next Josey, to acquire one of his Timeless Timber shafts...I hear they play extremely well, and are even stiffer still...if that is possible.

Since I have no experience with the 314 shafts, I am not really sure what type of transition it would be for you...but I think in the long run, you will be happier transitioning over to a good ol' fashioned maple shaft. I might suggest starting with a 'standard' Josey shaft.....this way, you still have your 314 to fall back on, if needed while transitioning. And if, for some reason, you are just not liking it when compared to the 314, you are not out a ton of money...pretty darn reasonable money, when compared to other cuemakers. If you then find yourself really liking the 'standard' shaft, I would suggest you contacting Keith and discussing the Timeless Timber shafts with him...as he would be far better able to tell you about the differences in play between the 3. Because of their increased stiffness, they are not for everyone.
I am by no means a Josey 'expert'...lol. I just know an extremely well playing cue when I get my hands on one...and my opinion is that Keith's cues are amongst the best with regards to playability...and they're not half bad looking, either.
Enjoy that cue!
Lisa