OB-1 Shaft questions

frankncali

frankncali

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
For you guys that use or tried OB-1s

1- Were you using a Predator beforehand?

2- How can you compare the effects of english... the same, more, less.

3- Biggest complaint

4- biggest compliment

5- thoughts about the hit ... softer than a predator??

6- any other thoughts on the shafts

thanks
I am trying one right now and am just wanting to compare thoughts
 
I love mine, but I never shot with a Predator. It hits softer than anything I have ever tried, but now that I am used to it, I LOVE it! My biggest complaint is lame, I didn't get mine to match the butt of my cue. Other than that I am really enjoying it.
 
1- Were you using a Predator beforehand?

Yes. For a long time.

2- How can you compare the effects of english... the same, more, less.

Not much difference if any.

3- Biggest complaint

People keep asking me about my ferrule.

4- biggest compliment

Beside making a great shaft they also have great customer service.

5- thoughts about the hit ... softer than a predator??

Hard to describe but I like it better than the predator.

6- any other thoughts on the shafts

I don't really like the standard tip (talisman) but its any easy enough thing to change.
 
frankncali said:
For you guys that use or tried OB-1s

1- Were you using a Predator beforehand?
Wasn't using Predator at the time. Had a Predator in the past.

2- How can you compare the effects of english... the same, more, less.
Similar in terms of English and Deflection.

3- Biggest complaint
OB-1 = Shaft gets dry and had a couple of splinters.
Predator = "Clunky" hit; lots of vibration.

4- biggest compliment
Real nice feel. Easy to adjust to.

5- thoughts about the hit ... softer than a predator??
Softer feeling hit than Predator, but similar action.

6- any other thoughts on the shafts

thanks
I am trying one right now and am just wanting to compare thoughts
Click to expand...
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frankncali said:
For you guys that use or tried OB-1s

1- Were you using a Predator beforehand?
NO, I couldn't stand the hit that the Predator had, so I didn't go that way.


2- How can you compare the effects of english... the same, more, less.
Who cares how they compare? The affect of english on the OB-1 is great, and I like the hit better than the predator. I wouldn't buy the predator since I didn't like the hit.


3- Biggest complaint
I really have none, I just ordered mine with a sniper tip so that kept me from having any complaints.

4- biggest compliment
This thing shoots great, and fits my game perfectly. I even like the ferrule.

5- thoughts about the hit ... softer than a predator?? It is hard to explain the hit. Hit is so opinionated so you would just have to try one out for yourself. You are either going to like it or hate it.


6- any other thoughts on the shafts
According to the test the predator is better at the deflection aspect, but I don't think that the predator can touch the OB-1 in radial consistency. I think this is the most well thought out shaft on the market, and i think it is the most radial consistent. I wouldn't trade my OB-1 for anything!

thanks
I am trying one right now and am just wanting to compare thoughts
Click to expand...


One more thought! Search the forums this discussion comes up ever couple of months. Someone wants to know what is better predator or OB-1. You are going to find that it is mixed emotions. 1/3 of the people love regular maple, 1/3 of the people like OB-1, and 1/3 of the people like Predator. The best thing to do is go find two of them and shoot with them to decide which one you like the feel of.
 
i have a predator z-2 and an ob1. The ob1 spins the ball more for me, is a softer hit then the z-2, i like it better. Complaints would be the ferrule, i like a white ferrule better because i can see it better, also the lack of feedback with the shaft.
 
scottycoyote said:
i have a predator z-2 and an ob1. The ob1 spins the ball more for me, is a softer hit then the z-2, i like it better. Complaints would be the ferrule, i like a white ferrule better because i can see it better, also the lack of feedback with the shaft.
Click to expand...

The foam core keeps it from vibrating...........(probably your lack of feedback).

The white ferrule provides more end mass weight providing more deflection!
 
The ferrule is one hang up I have about the OB-1. I see many favorable reviews of the product (and consider buying one each time), but I think I would be lost if I could not see the white ferrule in my peripheral vision. I use that peripheral feedback to ensure I am stroking thru the CB correctly. Now that Schmidt is singing OB-1 praises...I might have to pony up and buy one.

It's easy to say, just buy one and try it out. I would do just that if I were still single. Further, no one in my area has one so I can't do a direct comparison. I got lucky to hit a Tiger X once.
 
The ferrule looks weird, but you might be surprised how little you notice the difference after a while.
 
frankncali said:
For you guys that use or tried OB-1s

1- Were you using a Predator beforehand?

yes the 314, 314-2, & Z2

2- How can you compare the effects of english... the same, more, less.

they are basically the same as the 314-2 I have aq 12.2mm OB-1 coming and will have to compare it to the Z-2.

3- Biggest complaint

when I originally got the 1st of 4 it was the appearance but after a short period it stopped bothering me.

4- biggest compliment

the playability, having to use less english on a lot of shots, the ease of aiming

5- thoughts about the hit ... softer than a predator??

to me it does hit ever so slightly softer, but still does not steal the feed-back that i want

6- any other thoughts on the shafts

they are addictive, it is very hard for me to play in a tournament or big match without anything else on my cue.

cheers------------just my thoughts but I do believe it is a better mouse trap
Click to expand...
 
frankncali said:
For you guys that use or tried OB-1s

thanks
I am trying one right now and am just wanting to compare thoughts
Click to expand...

Frank,
I've only been playing about 5-6 years; had only used Predator 314 up until January; when I switched to OB-1.

I definitely prefer the OB-1. I feel that it has a firmer hit (though this may depend on the tip) with a bit more "feedback" than the Predator. I find the deflection characteristics identical.

I had warpage problems with the Predator shafts (went through 4 of them; all of them eventually had problems with straightness; though some of them may have been caused by shipping). In any case Predator was unwilling to correct the problem (I sent them a totally straight shaft for a new ferrule; they sent me back a "C" shaped shaft; blamed it on their shipping and that was that).

The OB-1 initially had a few "micro-splinters" that would raise up after cleaning. Royce B. at OB-1 talked me through the fix; but offered to take the shaft back and fix it himself or replace it; very nice. Though the company is new; I believe they have had little if ANY warpage problems; their technology is probably superior in this department.

The ferrule of the OB-1 is definitely non-traditional (ie. crazy looking), but I couldn't care less; I just want the best playing cue possible.

The Talisman medium tip that comes with the OB-1 was superior in every way to the LePro's that came on the Predator shafts (I always replaced them immediately with Moori's; but I definitely like the Talisman better than Moori).

I would never change back to Predator; OB-1 is a superior product. I hope this helps.
 
chuckpilegis said:
What was done for the splinter problem
Maybe i would try my ob again instead of the z2
Pm ok
Click to expand...

CP,
I am NOT a cue repairman and I do NOT want to be responsible in any way for your cue; feel free to contact Royce Bunnell on this forum for specific advice.

I basically cleaned the shaft with a damp cloth (which raises the grain and the little micro-splinters), then applied lemon oil, buffed the shaft first with a soft cloth, then on a lathe with leather or super fine sand paper. Almost no micro-splinters were left. I did the whole treatment a second time and have had no problems since (though I always burnish the shaft with leather after cleaning it). Please discuss this with Royce first though, I may be leaving something out - it was many months ago. Good luck.
 
Buy American

Buying American is a great side feature to a great shaft. My cuemaker is making me a back-up now (custom joint). I am so nervous with only one in my case. If I lost a tip or something in a tournament, I might just drop out without a back-up.

It took me about 4-5 weeks to get used to the shaft. I had been playing with a Schon shaft.

Your dealer can order your shaft with your tip preference. I order mine with Snipers.

Ray
 
frankncali said:
For you guys that use or tried OB-1s

1- Were you using a Predator beforehand?

Yes.

2- How can you compare the effects of english... the same, more, less.

I believe I get slightly more English with the OB-1, and I'm positive I can draw the ball more easily with the OB-1.

3- Biggest complaint

The taper.

4- biggest compliment

The shaft does feel more "lively" than a Predator shaft, IMO (keep in mind that descriptions like this are always subjective).

5- thoughts about the hit ... softer than a predator??

Not sure about 'softer', but I do think I get more feedback with the OB-1 (this comes under the heading of more "lively").

6- any other thoughts on the shafts

I prefer the OB-1, but interestingly I have switched playing cues recently from my Paul Mottey (which weighs ~19.4oz.) to a Sneaky Pete, which weighs a mere 17.6oz., and has an old unmarked Predator shaft. The Sneaky Pete feels better to me than any cue I've ever played with.

thanks
I am trying one right now and am just wanting to compare thoughts
Click to expand...

This sentence typed to make message long enough.
 
Williebetmore said:
CP,
I am NOT a cue repairman and I do NOT want to be responsible in any way for your cue; feel free to contact Royce Bunnell on this forum for specific advice.

I basically cleaned the shaft with a damp cloth (which raises the grain and the little micro-splinters), then applied lemon oil, buffed the shaft first with a soft cloth, then on a lathe with leather or super fine sand paper. Almost no micro-splinters were left. I did the whole treatment a second time and have had no problems since (though I always burnish the shaft with leather after cleaning it). Please discuss this with Royce first though, I may be leaving something out - it was many months ago. Good luck.
Click to expand...

I have never had any problems with micro-splinters, and the way I clean and prep my shaft it is smooth as glass, and super slick!
 
Given the many positives about the OB-1 shaft, I feel compelled to point out a negative.

The entire shaft has a .312" hole down the center filled with a flexible damping foam (which is why it is so quiet) The drawback is that this hole makes the shaft very "whippy" or flexibly weak. This causes inaccuracy in the following way:
A stroke is rarely a perfectly straight thrust - there is generally some up and down motion which creates lateral forces which cause the tip end to "whip" and potentially strike the cb slightly off from the intended point of contact.
All cues do it but this is why a stiffer shaft (all else being equal) is more accurate, especially at higher speed, more radical stroke shots.

My testing showed the OB-1's to be over 30% weaker in this regard than a solid shaft of similar taper.
 
Maybe I'm misunderstanding something but if you are stroking fast enough to make the tip "whip" around then I'm very impressed. I bet you break like King Kong if you go that kind of cue speed.


inthezone said:
Given the many positives about the OB-1 shaft, I feel compelled to point out a negative.

The entire shaft has a .312" hole down the center filled with a flexible damping foam (which is why it is so quiet) The drawback is that this hole makes the shaft very "whippy" or flexibly weak. This causes inaccuracy in the following way:
A stroke is rarely a perfectly straight thrust - there is generally some up and down motion which creates lateral forces which cause the tip end to "whip" and potentially strike the cb slightly off from the intended point of contact.
All cues do it but this is why a stiffer shaft (all else being equal) is more accurate, especially at higher speed, more radical stroke shots.

My testing showed the OB-1's to be over 30% weaker in this regard than a solid shaft of similar taper.
Click to expand...
 
inthezone said:
Given the many positives about the OB-1 shaft, I feel compelled to point out a negative.

The entire shaft has a .312" hole down the center filled with a flexible damping foam (which is why it is so quiet) The drawback is that this hole makes the shaft very "whippy" or flexibly weak. This causes inaccuracy in the following way:
A stroke is rarely a perfectly straight thrust - there is generally some up and down motion which creates lateral forces which cause the tip end to "whip" and potentially strike the cb slightly off from the intended point of contact.
All cues do it but this is why a stiffer shaft (all else being equal) is more accurate, especially at higher speed, more radical stroke shots.

My testing showed the OB-1's to be over 30% weaker in this regard than a solid shaft of similar taper.
Click to expand...

Well this shaft isn't used for breaking, so I don't know why you would be so concerned about the strength.

As far as this shaft being whippy, I think there are others out there that are more whippy.

Since when does a shaft whip before striking the cue ball? Are you slamming down on the rail or table before it hits the cue ball?

You have two pros on this forum that tell you they can do things with this shaft that they couldn't do with a standard shaft, so I guess these pros don't know anything right? I guess they are unaware of the 30% weaker, and inaccurate whippiness of the OB-1. Lets ask Eric Yow and John Schmitt what they think about the 30% weaker shaft and the inaccuracy from the shaft being too whippy. What do you guys think?

By the way where are your testing results so that all of us in here can check it out.

Do you feel the same way about predator shafts too? What about the Black dots or T3 shafts?

Since you like a nice stiff shaft I bet you would be pleased with a purple heart shaft on your daily player! LOL

I understand you don't like OB-1, but they are not inaccurate shafts by any means. You may not like the hit, and you may not agree with the engineering, but it is an excellent shaft.
 
Bull Crap

inthezone said:
Given the many positives about the OB-1 shaft, I feel compelled to point out a negative.

The entire shaft has a .312" hole down the center filled with a flexible damping foam (which is why it is so quiet) The drawback is that this hole makes the shaft very "whippy" or flexibly weak. This causes inaccuracy in the following way:
A stroke is rarely a perfectly straight thrust - there is generally some up and down motion which creates lateral forces which cause the tip end to "whip" and potentially strike the cb slightly off from the intended point of contact.
All cues do it but this is why a stiffer shaft (all else being equal) is more accurate, especially at higher speed, more radical stroke shots.

My testing showed the OB-1's to be over 30% weaker in this regard than a solid shaft of similar taper.
Click to expand...

Just plain bull crap and a very big pile of it, Earl is playing with one thats a flat non taper and showed me some stroke shots with it that you'll never make with either shaft and it didn't bend or break. I own three OB 1's and several Predators and many custom maple shafts, the OB's play much better or I would have given them away like I did a new Tigre X shaft with sniper tip. Look at what John Scmidt said about OB !--Leonard
 
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