Why would OB try to sell us all on the SLC if it didn't do anything or make any difference.
Was that just a marketing hype? Or is the current construction a marketing hype?
Or was it all just lies in the first place?
An attempt to stick out and make yourself known, no matter what.
I happen to seriously doubt they would come up with something like that, sell it hard, and it was all just lies.
Read some of this:
http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=269455
I`m gonna give you my two cents on this. My apologies if that offends any one, That includes Shane
When OB cues was launched they had quite a few proprietary solutions, I`m guessing they where all patented.
The ferrule on OB 1 and 2, the shafts construction itself and the core used in their butts.
In the second generation of shafts, the lamination technique was changed, now they have changed the core construction, so what`s left is the OB wood ferrule - In my opinion the worst design element of OB cues, as the ferrule itself is not by any means strong enough without the carbonfibre plate, wich people take of when they change tip, becuase they dont read the small print (and really shouldn`t need to)
Or it falls off on a new product, I have seen that multiple times...
So no doubt that Royce was a great guy and passionate about cues, but he was also a businessman and knew that he could not infringe on existing patents and that he needed his own buzzwords to compete with the other big brands.
My honest opinion is that the proprietary methods he came up with, did not make a better product, just a different one, so OB stood out from the competition.
So if OB now is using a regular maple core like Joss or Mezz, that`s not a problem, as long as the quality of the wood itself is good.
The new lamination process for the shafts, seems like a step up to me.
I`m just waiting for OB to ditch the wood ferrule for something simpler and more durable, how about Tomahawk material?
As an outsider I view OB`s biggest challange to be quality controll. The products I have seen (and repaired) lately, has not gone through a good inspection before being shipped out. I have seen warped shafts, glue lines, facing issues, tool marks on shafts, poor laquer and carbonfibre plates falling off.
But generally OB Cues have a good reputation, and I hope they can build on that, by being anal about the quality of their product. I really like the switch to a flat bottom pin and the designs of the cues themselves are classy.
If I can come with a recomandation it would be to offer a butt extension and maybe even a mid cue extension as a stock product.
