Fixing dings is definitely on the list of things I don't like to do, and it's pretty sad that people don't treat others equipment with respect!
A little greater mass = a little less acceleration. OK, that's a small possible advantage (if your stroke is sensitive to it).
For the weight, as Gustav said. Large diameter tips are just what comes with that.
Deflection is important for aiming - not for swerve/masse.
You're entitled to your beliefs, but I don't think the two have anything to do with each other. Deflection only affects the immediate initial direction of the CB, which is more accurately controlled by simply aiming.
I completely disagree!
The cues are held vertically and the cues are usually shorter, so balance isn't much of an issue.
Then you are saying a carbon fiber shaft and a maple shaft deflect equally? Low deflection shafts don't end their characteristics with just deflection. I may not have it right, but I would think that a low deflection shaft does not have the torque upon impact that a maple shaft does. That torque would probably allow you to get more action on the cue ball for masse shots. Again, a rigid no deflection carbon fiber shaft doesn't stop just at deflection, those characteristics are applied to every type of shot.
I'm guessing by "torque" you mean the force of the cue's impact? Sure, different cues deliver slightly different amounts of force for the same stroke, due to weight (not deflection). The difference is compensated with slightly different stroke force.
Again, I am no expert, but in order for the cue ball to deflect or squirt, the tip end of the shaft has to flex a bit. It can never be picked up by the human eye, but somewhere minutely the tip rotates slightly to one side. That's why carbon fiber shafts don't deflect as much is because the tip end does not rotate as much as a maple shaft. This is also why people like the feel of a maple shaft because that slight tip rotation sends signals back to the shooter's hands and of course to his brain. In order to feel a difference between the two shafts, they have to react different when contacting the cue ball. I define torque as, and I may be wrong, as the tip end of the shaft flexing and flexing back to neutral. That Flex throws the cue ball, at least in my opinion, ever so slightly, and I call that "back and forth', torque.
I think I've seen that stiffness actually increases the calculation for endmass so deflects a little more than a wippy shaft. I'm no expert either.
interesting to hear your thoughts, This is a road i have not gone down, only ever used solid, even with a smaller ferrule. These shafts play roughly the same, even with kielwood, its just slightly stiffer feel. The biggest difference is the taper. it is just a matter of adjustment, its more because, i know what im doing with them, i never felt the need for anything else. Nothing on here, has convinced me other wise.
So you are a maple shaft individual?
If you mean, you can only use one, then yes. Im sure im not the only one, still using the old standerd maple shafts. I mean standard by design. Kielwood is the same, just stiffer. The amount of shafts around now, i can see why carbon, Is the obvious choice.