OB or not OB that is the question

[RBLilly]

I spent a lot of time on my stroke with a standard shaft before I upgraded to the OB-1. I didn't want it to mask flaws that could keep me from advancing.

I honestly feel that there is no shaft in the world that will mask your flaws.........................besides if you have a poor stroke you have a poor stroke. No shaft will compensate for that.

Let me ask everyone this question...........how in the hell would a low deflection shaft mask problems with your stroke?

The only thing that a low deflection shaft changes is your aim point as compared to a traditional maple shaft. In other words you don't have to compensate as much for squirt.

That being said the high performance shaft won't change your stroke! You might change your aim point slightly, but your aim point has nothing to do with the mechanics of your stroke. Therefore a high performance shaft won't mask your poor stroke mechanics!

Let's use this example: You buy a McDermott with a stock shaft, wood to wood joint and 3/8" x 10 pin.

You get your stroke down, and feel that your game is really improving. Your instructor tells you that you have got the perfect stroke. (just and example here!)

Then about 3 months later you pick up an OB-1 for your cue.

Since you are an entry level player, and your instructor feels that you have the perfect stroke it should automatically improve your game right?

For most people it will throw their game off dramatically, until they learn the squirt factor of that new shaft.

Their stroke will be the same, but the shaft won't do the same exact thing as the old shaft. So on a lot of shots they will miss, scratch their head, and miss again!

So if you were a beginner and learned to stroke with the OB-1 right out of the box, then you wouldn't have to learn another style of play. Or in a sense relearn your aiming points because of a new shaft.

The only thing that low deflection shafts do to your game is change your aiming point! So again there is no way it will mask your poor stroke mechanics.

There are two advantages to a low deflection shaft..........radial consistency and less squirt. That is it! So how the hell can it mask your stroke mechanics? The answer is that it can't!

With the radial consistency and with a consistent stroke it will help you out dramatically, but it won't hide a poor stroke!

 

[Caromsoft]

Let me ask everyone this question...........how in the hell would a low deflection shaft mask problems with your stroke?

My understanding of low deflection shafts is that when using english one does not have to compensate as much for squirt, when hitting off center the ball will go straighter than with a non low deflection shaft. If you are hitting the cue ball exactly center then there should theoretically be no difference between shafts. But what if your stroke is crooked and wobbly, or you aren't hitting exactly center ball (but thinking you are)? You are unintentionally applying some english. If this is the case with a low deflection shaft the ball will still go straight. You might think you have a straight stroke but don't.

 

[xianmacx]

My understanding of low deflection shafts is that when using english one does not have to compensate as much for squirt, when hitting off center the ball will go straighter than with a non low deflection shaft. If you are hitting the cue ball exactly center then there should theoretically be no difference between shafts. But what if your stroke is crooked and wobbly, or you aren't hitting exactly center ball (but thinking you are)? You are unintentionally applying some english. If this is the case with a low deflection shaft the ball will still go straight. You might think you have a straight stroke but don't.

EXAAAAAAAACTLY.

with a maple shaft, if I intend to hit centerball, but have a crooked stroke and accidentally apply 1/2 tip of english....I will completely miss the ball.

With a low deflection shaft, if I do the exact same thing, I will still make the object ball because the cue squirted so very little that it didn't effect the path of the cueball. Hence MASKING my flaws.

Ian

 

[WesleyW]

EXAAAAAAAACTLY.

with a maple shaft, if I intend to hit centerball, but have a crooked stroke and accidentally apply 1/2 tip of english....I will completely miss the ball.

With a low deflection shaft, if I do the exact same thing, I will still make the object ball because the cue squirted so very little that it didn't effect the path of the cueball. Hence MASKING my flaws.

Ian

Yup. Same experience. My stroke isn't very good. I've tried a very low deflection shaft (comparable with the Z-shaft, may be a little lesser deflection than the Z-shaft). I did some long range pots with a hard stroke. I potted every shot. With my Buffalo, I missed every shot (high deflection ). With my Pro 2+ shaft, it's like 50/50 (Pro 2+ shaft is a medium/low deflection shaft).

 

[poolchic]

Stop pumping up this shaft or i will never be able to afford it!=)

 

[WilleeCue]

No, it will not make you a better player.

Perhaps you should just speak for yourself and say it will not make YOU a better player.

I play better using one than not.
I cant speak for you or anyone else but it does help me to play better pool.

I also think the construction makes it a solid piece of equipment that will outlast and outperform a solid maple shaft for many years to come.

I wonder how many of those LAZY basketball players would be willing to give up those high dollar high tech shoes?
In fact why wear shoes at all?
They make your feet lazy.

 

[PKM]

If the OB does such a good job of masking a bad stroke, then when I miss shots I must really suck!

For people who are worried about that, are you preparing for the day when all low-deflection shafts disappear from the market and you have to adjust to another shaft? The critics are actually making a better case for the OB-1 than its users who are more realistic about what it can do.

 

[xianmacx]

If the OB does such a good job of masking a bad stroke, then when I miss shots I must really suck!

For people who are worried about that, are you preparing for the day when all low-deflection shafts disappear from the market and you have to adjust to another shaft? The critics are actually making a better case for the OB-1 than its users who are more realistic about what it can do.

Don't get me wrong I think they perform exactly as advertised. I simply think you should wait till you have a quality stroke before you bring these high performance shafts into your game.

You would not give a 16 year old with his temps a nascar to learn how to drive.

Ian

 

[PROG8R]

You would not give a 16 year old with his temps a nascar to learn how to drive.
Ian

You can actually race on the trac in a race not just a closed track without a valid drivers license. My nephew is 13 and just moved into the open stock modified class at the track I know I would not ride with him for all the marbles at FAO schwartz.

I tend to agree with your philosophy somewhat though. I believe that you need to learn how to pure a stroke before you try to get into game improvement technologies. But then again; in golf people who suck use the biggest game improvement techs they can to gain an edge and as they progress they lose cavity backs and offsets and move to the more conventional type of setup. Who knows.. Play with what brought you that far i guess..

 

[Purdman]

My .02

If you can't do it with a regular shaft, you can't do it with anything else. The old timers never had all these new gimmicks and they did just fine. It might be good for the marketers who refuse to pump much money back into the sport but it ain't gonna do nothing for your game. When somebody comes up with a cue/shaft that blows all the old records out of the water, I might give them some credit. It will do no more for you than a $8,000 cue will or a nicely balanced 2 piece Duffern! Of course this is JMHO.
Purdman

 

[WesleyW]

Perhaps you should just speak for yourself and say it will not make YOU a better player.

I play better using one than not...

It makes you play better, but it will not make you a better player! Those are two different things. The OB-1 will make you pot easier, but as a person, it will not make you better, you will not gain of learning experience, that makes you a better player. It's just the equipment that do the better things for you.

For example, if there is a magic shaft that always 100% pot a ball for you. It doesn't care what you do, the objectball will always be potted. Will you play better? Yes, because it's 100% sure, you will pot a ball. But will it make you a better player? No!

 

[JoeyA]

Waiting.

Don't get me wrong I think they perform exactly as advertised. I simply think you should wait till you have a quality stroke before you bring these high performance shafts into your game.

You would not give a 16 year old with his temps a nascar to learn how to drive.

Ian

Ian, waiting until you develop a quality stroke with a regular maple shaft is not the smartest thing to do. Besides, waiting until you develop a quality stroke is not like waiting for the signal light to change. It takes LOTS OF TIME.

MANY professional pool players complain that they cannot play with a low deflection shaft. They already have good strokes but have difficulty adjusting because they are used to a high deflection shaft.

It is better to get used to the nuances and utilize the low deflection technology shafts that are already here and continue working on improving your stroke..... If your game improves (possibly) immediately and you can still work on improving your stroke. It's not like you're going to beat that many more people with the low deflection shaft.

If the low deflection shafts fit you, use them. If they don't suit you, don't use them. Telling others to wait until they have a quality stroke is not the best advice. They might develop a quality stroke and not be able to play with a low deflection shaft.

It is better to find out right now if the low deflection shaft is going to help your game or not. Just because it helps one person it may not help another and the hype could all be smoke and mirrors.

You might re-consider your thinking on this one.
JoeyA

 

[RBLilly]

Ian, waiting until you develop a quality stroke with a regular maple shaft is not the smartest thing to do. Besides, waiting until you develop a quality stroke is not like waiting for the signal light to change. It takes LOTS OF TIME.

MANY professional pool players complain that they cannot play with a low deflection shaft. They already have good strokes but have difficulty adjusting because they are used to a high deflection shaft.

It is better to get used to the nuances and utilize the low deflection technology shafts that are already here and continue working on improving your stroke..... If your game improves (possibly) immediately and you can still work on improving your stroke. It's not like you're going to beat that many more people with the low deflection shaft.

If the low deflection shafts fit you, use them. If they don't suit you, don't use them. Telling others to wait until they have a quality stroke is not the best advice. They might develop a quality stroke and not be able to play with a low deflection shaft.

It is better to find out right now if the low deflection shaft is going to help your game or not. Just because it helps one person it may not help another and the hype could all be smoke and mirrors.

You might re-consider your thinking on this one.
JoeyA

Agreed Joey.......................well put!

 

[RBLilly]

My understanding of low deflection shafts is that when using english one does not have to compensate as much for squirt, when hitting off center the ball will go straighter than with a non low deflection shaft. If you are hitting the cue ball exactly center then there should theoretically be no difference between shafts. But what if your stroke is crooked and wobbly, or you aren't hitting exactly center ball (but thinking you are)? You are unintentionally applying some english. If this is the case with a low deflection shaft the ball will still go straight. You might think you have a straight stroke but don't.

That is why there are simple drills to make sure your stroke is in line, and that you are actually stroking it straight and true. These work for any type of shaft!!!!!

So you think with a stock maple shaft you can't hit it off center and still pocket the ball?

Trust me until I learned a few drills to straighten up my stroke I was pocketing balls just fine.................doesn't mean I was hitting vertical center though! And trust me I thought I was a good player until I found some drills that tested my stroke, and my game.

 

[6 Pocket Mike]

LOL you guys are cracking me up! I have shot with a lot of different cues with many different pins, joints, weights, tips and shafts to find "WHAT SUITS ME BEST." That is what it is all about right there. So what if a shaft gives you less deflection? I think it is a trade off rather than a crutch. Ok, look at it this way; there are two players playing a match. One plays with a high deflection shaft and another with a low deflection shaft. If both are equally skilled it will come down to who knows their equipment better.
My advice to you is to try it and see if you like it. Anyone in here that pushes you away from a low deflection shaft may feel that way due to not having one available when they started. Keep in mind that this is an older crowd in this forum. Most guys in here have been playing longer that I've been on the planet. I think every player has their own style, likes and dislikes. Do what is right for you.
It will not improve your mechanics and it is not an answer for a poor player. If you?re a poor player before an OB-1 you will still be a poor player after you get one. That does not mean you can not learn with it. I bought one about 2 weeks ago and I like it a lot. It is a very consistent hitting shaft and I like the extra juice I can put on a ball. I could get the same shape with a standard shaft but why work harder when I can do it without possibly losing control of the cue ball? If there is a shaft that is out there that can do that then why not use it?? It's like a work ethic; "work smarter not harder" If we always did things the same way then Ford would have never come up with the assembly line Sometimes people get so caught up in an old way or idea that it is damn near impossible to get them to adapt to anything new. Take cell phones for instance; do you know how many times I talk to older people that are pissed that phones have so many different options to them? They would be completely content if it just made and received calls. The one constant is change. In this situation they are able to keep using their old shaft and do not have to change to something new which brings me back to what I said in the beginning, "find what suits YOU"
If equipment never changed then your golf clubs would look a lot different and the PGA would not be thinking about lowering PAR on a lot of courses. If the baseball had not been changed in construction you would see a fewer amount of home runs. Things change and some do not like that
I would buy one if you like predator shafts

 

[Caromsoft]

That is why there are simple drills to make sure your stroke is in line, and that you are actually stroking it straight and true. These work for any type of shaft!!!!!

And that is why I started doing these type of exercises before I upgraded to the OB-1, to make sure my stroke was straight.

So you think with a stock maple shaft you can't hit it off center and still pocket the ball?

Of course you can hit off center and still pocket the ball with any shaft, in my opinion the OB-1 is more forgiving of such mistakes.

Trust me until I learned a few drills to straighten up my stroke I was pocketing balls just fine.................doesn't mean I was hitting vertical center though! And trust me I thought I was a good player until I found some drills that tested my stroke, and my game.

I was pocketing balls before I worked on my stroke. I started pocketing more balls more often after I worked on my stroke, with a standard shaft. I pocket even MORE balls with the OB-1. Is it a lot more? No. But even 1 ball more is an improvement for nothing more than the changing of a shaft, and once I become completely comfortable with the OB-1 I know that should anything happen to it I can get another one and its hit and deflection properties will be virtually identical. No more adjustments need ever be made again as far as my shaft is concerned.

 

[Flex]

Don't get me wrong I think they perform exactly as advertised. I simply think you should wait till you have a quality stroke before you bring these high performance shafts into your game.

You would not give a 16 year old with his temps a nascar to learn how to drive.

Ian

Some folks may give up pool before they get a decent stroke. I say give them the best tools, and the bug might just bite them.

Flex

 

[jed1894]

Whats up with these shafts.Do they make you play better,think better, and match up better.No seriously,I haven't had the pleasure of hitting the balls with one, but I would like the LIKES and DISLIKES.

I have an OB-1 and Predator 314. I have played with both extensively. I now use the OB-1 as my primary shaft. I plan to buy another one or two in the future because of the consistent feel.

However, in my opinion, after playing everynight with an OB-1 for the last 2 months (I own my own table), I have not noticed any improvement in my ability to pocket more balls. To be honest, I don't see any spin difference (english) from my custom cue shafts. I can get just as much spin on my other cues than with my OB-1. The squirt/defection is also not much different from my custom. The only reason I like the shaft is the feel and the fact that I know I can replace it with an exact duplicate if necessary. The shaft is very nice and to me, feels real good.

I have a suggestion for you: if you can afford it, buy the OB-1 and a good quality cue (for me it's a Shurtz). Have the OB-1, if possible, sent along with your ordered cue unless you already have a good cue. Put both shafts in the same case and rotate your game around with the two shafts when you play. Then form you own opinion. Oh yeah, make sure your ordered cue has a Talisman tip and the shaft is 12.75mm so you'll get the same tip and shaft affect. This procedure is my next obsession.

Also....remember this: it ain't the arrow! The one thing that has screwed my game up the most is my obsession with cues, shafts, tips, etc. I have probably sent $3000 on the last year on pool stuff and all of it is now sitting in a closet. I shot a lot better when I didn't know as much about cues. One day, I'll just go out to the pool room and pick up my Dufferin one piece and start over.

Good luck. JED

 

[Flex]

Edit: Posted to wrong thread, sorry