Has anyone been able to demo the OB break cue or shaft yet?
If so, how about a posting a review.
If so, how about a posting a review.
Ob break cue or shaft review
- Thread starter s'portplayer
- Start date
i second that curiosity bump!
3rd ... :grinning-moose:
I had reason to talk to Royce & order a couple OB1 partials a couple weeks ago, and I asked him if he had the break shaft available - 5/16-14 piloted - .840 joint black collar.
He had them, and I ordered one.
I've used it on one of my X Breakers (Samsara made).
The shaft has a good bit heavier taper than an OB1, and is 13mm diameter. The taper is more the conical/European type - sort of a really beefed up OB2. The hit is good & stiff. You can really lay into it, but retain good accuracy & minimal deflection characteristics. I can feel the shaft "giving up" more (only moderately more), flexurally, than my X Breaker shafts when I use heavy break power, but then the XB shafts really are monsters. I tend to stay to the middle of the cue ball for power breaking, and my consistency is pretty good, so I haven't got a firm handle on how much accuracy increase there is. But I'm a believer in OB1 shafts, so I think it could be worth chasing - especially for anyone with a less refined power break stroke. (Not that I'm all that...) Have to say, I haven't replaced my XB shaft w/ G10 tip on a full time basis as yet - largely because I haven't invested enough time into comparing jump capabilities of the OB break shaft. Royce makes no bones that, being a shaft intended to maximize accuracy/minimize deflection, the OB Break shaft is not going to "excel" at jumping balls - comes with the territory. But that doesn't mean that an educated jump stroke & mechanics might not provide adequate performance from a jump/break cue perspective. We all know that JB's do an adequate job of jumping, of themselves, but maximum effectiveness requires a dedicated jump cue.
The Samsara JB tip is really VERY impressive. Hardest leather I've ever seen - harder than the hardest water buffalo imo. Takes chalk well. You can use english effectively, keeping in mind it is a very hard tip. As soon as I can get to my cue tech, I'm going to replace all the white diamond tips I have on shafts w/ the Samsara jb tip. I think they are far superior.
OB has a jump shaft in the works, and Royce seems pretty happy with the results they are achieving. I happen to believe that OB is soon going to provide separate break & jump shafts that each do superior jobs of their appointed tasks. Will I be willing to give up my JB cue for 2 separates? I don't know. I have numerous dedicated jump cues now, and I tend to stick w/ the X Breaker even when I have a jumper with me.
Some guys wanna jump their way out of everything. I'm a believer that you can usually employ better control with a judicious use of kicking - but I'm not afraid to jump when necessary - if the rules allow.
Good luck to everyone!
He had them, and I ordered one.
I've used it on one of my X Breakers (Samsara made).
The shaft has a good bit heavier taper than an OB1, and is 13mm diameter. The taper is more the conical/European type - sort of a really beefed up OB2. The hit is good & stiff. You can really lay into it, but retain good accuracy & minimal deflection characteristics. I can feel the shaft "giving up" more (only moderately more), flexurally, than my X Breaker shafts when I use heavy break power, but then the XB shafts really are monsters. I tend to stay to the middle of the cue ball for power breaking, and my consistency is pretty good, so I haven't got a firm handle on how much accuracy increase there is. But I'm a believer in OB1 shafts, so I think it could be worth chasing - especially for anyone with a less refined power break stroke. (Not that I'm all that...) Have to say, I haven't replaced my XB shaft w/ G10 tip on a full time basis as yet - largely because I haven't invested enough time into comparing jump capabilities of the OB break shaft. Royce makes no bones that, being a shaft intended to maximize accuracy/minimize deflection, the OB Break shaft is not going to "excel" at jumping balls - comes with the territory. But that doesn't mean that an educated jump stroke & mechanics might not provide adequate performance from a jump/break cue perspective. We all know that JB's do an adequate job of jumping, of themselves, but maximum effectiveness requires a dedicated jump cue.
The Samsara JB tip is really VERY impressive. Hardest leather I've ever seen - harder than the hardest water buffalo imo. Takes chalk well. You can use english effectively, keeping in mind it is a very hard tip. As soon as I can get to my cue tech, I'm going to replace all the white diamond tips I have on shafts w/ the Samsara jb tip. I think they are far superior.
OB has a jump shaft in the works, and Royce seems pretty happy with the results they are achieving. I happen to believe that OB is soon going to provide separate break & jump shafts that each do superior jobs of their appointed tasks. Will I be willing to give up my JB cue for 2 separates? I don't know. I have numerous dedicated jump cues now, and I tend to stick w/ the X Breaker even when I have a jumper with me.
Some guys wanna jump their way out of everything. I'm a believer that you can usually employ better control with a judicious use of kicking - but I'm not afraid to jump when necessary - if the rules allow.
Good luck to everyone!
Excellent. Thanks for sharing Chris
I got my OB break shaft about a year ago and it helps me with cue ball control on breaks. My break is not the best, but I can make ball on the break and squat the cue in the middle of the table with it. I also like playing with it on bar tables with the mud ball. It allows me to control the heavy ball better. I changed from the phenolic when I got the OB shaft, so I was not affected by the BCA ban of phenolic. I use the shaft on a Gilbert J/B and can jump better also.
Just my opinion, but if you can try one I think you will be surprised with the performance. The plus is that Royce and his staff are great people and stand behind their warranties.
Just my opinion, but if you can try one I think you will be surprised with the performance. The plus is that Royce and his staff are great people and stand behind their warranties.
OB Break Cue
I've had mine for about a year now and it rules! the shaft fits on my buddies Schonn and OB cues and the hit was really nice using those cue handles. I love the break i've been getting but the handle is pretty thick, like a club... If you have a nice handle, just get the shaft. Just noticed there was two lengths available (29" & 30") and now wish I had the 30" because it probably makes for a better taper. Oh, the hard leather tip on the OB Break shaft grips well and hasn't needed any maintenance, yet.
Nothing else more to say other than it feels like I don't have to try as hard to get a good break, this cue does all the work.
I've had mine for about a year now and it rules! the shaft fits on my buddies Schonn and OB cues and the hit was really nice using those cue handles. I love the break i've been getting but the handle is pretty thick, like a club... If you have a nice handle, just get the shaft. Just noticed there was two lengths available (29" & 30") and now wish I had the 30" because it probably makes for a better taper. Oh, the hard leather tip on the OB Break shaft grips well and hasn't needed any maintenance, yet.
Nothing else more to say other than it feels like I don't have to try as hard to get a good break, this cue does all the work.
As an update...
I had Ryan Theeen fit an OB break shaft for my X Breaker butt and I love it as a break cue - only. I've gone to a Lomax jump cue (nothing better), so I don't use the XB for jumping at all.
I also bought one of the 1st wrapped OB break butts to go with the stock OB brk shaft that I had. I've heard a lot of folks really like the way they perform, but the butt is way to thick for my liking.
I had Ryan Theeen fit an OB break shaft for my X Breaker butt and I love it as a break cue - only. I've gone to a Lomax jump cue (nothing better), so I don't use the XB for jumping at all.
I also bought one of the 1st wrapped OB break butts to go with the stock OB brk shaft that I had. I've heard a lot of folks really like the way they perform, but the butt is way to thick for my liking.