Has anyone tried the McDermott I-3? I see a lot of talk of all the other LD shafts but haven't seen much about the I-3. I've always been a McDermott fan and I'm looking at getting the I-3 but I don't know if it would be a better option to get an OB because I've seen a lot more reviews on them and their customer service on here is amazing. Any help is greatly appreciated.
Mcdermott I-3 shaft?
- Thread starter Dockter
- Start date
:thumbup:
The i3 shaft is a great shaft. I don't recommend the i1 or i2, but the i3 is a great shaft.
I think I have a new one here I can ship for $180.:smile:
Oh...by the way-----don't believe all the reviews. Most of the reviews are done by people that
don't know the difference between a Sport Craft cue and a Joss cue.
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I shoot with a Schon CX-06 and the McDermott I-3. It's a great combination for me with the right balance, feel and hit. The 11.75mm tip allows you to hit the cue ball precisely where you want with geometric accuracy. I've tried the OB shafts and don't like the maple ferrule - it's distracting to me when I'm aiming. Going thru some of the threads on the Predator I get the impression that there are some finishing problems and also some with service. Other than that I really didn't see much playing difference in the shafts. It's so subjective. Service is terrific at McDermott and Jamie (who runs the shop) will always help you with any special request. I send in my I-2 and I-3 shafts for service which includes cleaning and a new Moori tip for just around $21 for shipping and handling. If you lived in southern California I'd let you try mine. Good luck with whatever shaft you decide on buying.
Dockter...If you want to stick with McDermott, go with the G-Core shaft. Much better performance, imo, than the I-series, and costs less. I have both the G-Core and the Tiger X (both in 11.75mm), which I think play very similarly.
Scott Lee
http://poolknowledge.com
Scott Lee
http://poolknowledge.com
One more consideration may be the weight of the I core shaft. The early versions were light ( I have both an I-3 and I-2) under three ounces in some cases. This may change the balance point of your cue slightly which may not matter to some and may to others. I added weight to mine and brought them up to four ounces each which voided any warrantee from McDermott but I could care less about the warrantee. The weight was more important to me. Good Luck.
What is the matter with the i2?
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I use a McDermott butt on my playing cue and I am a huge McDermott fan but I cannot use any of the performance shafts they make. I have tried out several and found the deflection to be equivalent to that of a standard maple shaft. I don't really think hit matters all that much but if you do I would not go with them either.
What I recommend is an OB Pro+. It has very low deflection and an excellent hit. As for the poster saying the wooden ferrule on OB shafts distracts him... not all models have that and the OB Pro has a regular white ferrule (although it is rather short).
What I recommend is an OB Pro+. It has very low deflection and an excellent hit. As for the poster saying the wooden ferrule on OB shafts distracts him... not all models have that and the OB Pro has a regular white ferrule (although it is rather short).
I have a couple of McDermott G-Core shafts and a Predator, I cant say I really see a difference between the 2. When I switch to my Schon cue with a maple shaft, I must change my aim points considerably when using spin.
I use a McDermott butt with a 30" Meucci Pro Shaft (the solid maple version, not the laminated one).
The Meucci has equal or better LD qualities than my 314-2 and hits a lot more "solid" and has more "feel" due to it not being hollowed out in the end.
I've never tried an I-3, but I think I would still prefer the more "pure" hit with shafts that are not hollowed out or cored with other material.
The Meucci has equal or better LD qualities than my 314-2 and hits a lot more "solid" and has more "feel" due to it not being hollowed out in the end.
I've never tried an I-3, but I think I would still prefer the more "pure" hit with shafts that are not hollowed out or cored with other material.
Thanks Everyone!!
A couple posts and pm's may have changed my mind. I'm pretty sure I'm going to give a G-Core a try first. If nothing else I'll give the I-3 a shot in a couple months if I don't like the G-Core. I'm going to have to switch out to the 11.75 though, I just can't get used to the 13mm I had on the standard shaft. I'm honestly just looking for a little help when it comes to left/right english. I've always been decent at top bottom but now switching it up to side I'm struggling to switch my aim points when using it. Any other suggestions from shafts to ways to adjust better are greatly appreciated here or through pm. Thanks everyone!!
A couple posts and pm's may have changed my mind. I'm pretty sure I'm going to give a G-Core a try first. If nothing else I'll give the I-3 a shot in a couple months if I don't like the G-Core. I'm going to have to switch out to the 11.75 though, I just can't get used to the 13mm I had on the standard shaft. I'm honestly just looking for a little help when it comes to left/right english. I've always been decent at top bottom but now switching it up to side I'm struggling to switch my aim points when using it. Any other suggestions from shafts to ways to adjust better are greatly appreciated here or through pm. Thanks everyone!!
I played with an I3 for about 1 year when they first came out about 10 years ago. Prior to that I played with 314 and Z shafts. I thought the I3 was comparable to the predator offerings.
I tried the G core when it came out (I think it was maybe 5 yrs after the I series). I did not like it. It squirt more imo. And I recall it had an ugly huge tip or tip pad. (It's been years I forget).
After trying the I3 for a year I went back to predator shafts. There was nothing wrong with the I3 I just wanted to stick to 1 brand.
To each his own, those are my personal experiences with the I-3 shaft. Good playing
I tried the G core when it came out (I think it was maybe 5 yrs after the I series). I did not like it. It squirt more imo. And I recall it had an ugly huge tip or tip pad. (It's been years I forget).
After trying the I3 for a year I went back to predator shafts. There was nothing wrong with the I3 I just wanted to stick to 1 brand.
To each his own, those are my personal experiences with the I-3 shaft. Good playing
It makes no difference what shaft you use. Controlling english is a practice thing...
Tip diameter is a personal thing, but remember: the smaller tip diameter, means you have to be more accurate.
I've always used a 11.75. I was given a cue when I turned 16 ( 12 years ago ) and I've always used that cue until recently. I couldn't even tell you what the cue is but I'm sure it wasn't expensive. I recently purchased a McDermott and it came with the standard 13mm tip. I didn't think it would bother me and it seems most people use a 13mm but I just couldn't get the reaction I wanted not to mention it was Pro tapered and I was used to a more European taper. I recently had it brought down to 12.5 and a more conical taper which feels much more comfortable to me. I've always had pretty good control with top or draw, this season is the first time I've been experimenting with and bhe at all. I still do alright when I'm using say low left or right but when it comes to just straight outside or inside english I tend to miss any long shot. I know an LD shaft won't just magically make me pocket balls, I know it's going to take hours and hours and then a few more hours at the table to even become proficient at it, I just hear that LD shafts will take more variables out of the equation and help with consistency.
I am in TOTAL agreement with Kim Bye. The section is resized is absolutely true. The smaller tip diameter will punish you if your not accurate in placing the tip exactly where you want it on the cue ball. All good advice from Kim Bye in my humble opinion! If I remember correctly the only difference in all the I shafts is the diameter of the shaft mostly in the 12 or so inches closest to the ferrule. Internally they are exactly the same.
