i actually prefer melamine,but i will also use ivory if it is cut down a little.i think on a stiff shaft 1' is too llong for ivory;it seems to deflect more than the 3/4" length.you are right it is my opinion and i thought i was free to expess it,but i seemed to have offended you.if i did i am sorry and had no intention of doing that.i was just trying to steer the guy.i have talked to SEVERAL people who feel the same as i do,but you are right it all boils down to personal opinion.i have only tried it once and the cue i had deflected more than any other cue i own.the material looks and feels a little like the Titan,but IMO doesn't play as well.do you put this material on all of you playing cues?what do you like about it?sorry if i upset you Jeremy,it wasn't my intention.i was only trying tell the guy where a nice Kikel was for cheap and to check on the ferrules,b/c i didn't like the new Kikel Proprietary ferrules.i wasn't knocking Dave Kikel either.probably the best playing cue i ever ownwed was a Kikel,but it had ivory ferrules.it was years ago and me and my partner Billy Young played partners 9 ball with Russ Edwards and his stakehorse.i didn't miss a ball for 3 hours at $500 a game.we won $18500.should have kept that cue.Cueaddicts has it now.Hawaiin Curly Koa and one whole dead Elephant.