Precat 314 alternative

T

tyrod_emmons

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Roughly 15 years ago predator exploded on the pool scene with the 314 shaft. I stuck one on my schon, and for 15 years I havnt even thought of changing until now, with a plethora of performance shafts, I need some feedback on similar (as close in performance as I can get) as to wich shaft I should go with, I have heard and seen so many oproblems with the cat predator shafts, complaints from foam filled to hollow core below the ferrule making ferrule pop off. I'm eyeing the OB shafts but good lord wich one. Any advice is appreciated. Thanks
 
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tyrod_emmons said:
Roughly 15 years ago predator exploded on the pool scene with the 314 shaft. I stuck one on my schon, and for 15 years I havnt even thought of changing until not, with a plethora of performance shafts, I need some feedback on similar (as close in performance as I can get) as to wich shaft I should go with, I have heard and seen so many oproblems with the cat predator shafts, complaints from foam filled to hollow core below the ferrule making ferrule pop off. I'm eyeing the OB shafts but good lord wich one. Any advice is appreciated. Thanks
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I would suggest an OB Classic+ based on what you have said. Unless you think you would like a shaft that hits much much softer than you are used to, in that case, go with an OB-1+. Hope this helps.
 
well let me ask this, when the OB1 first came out I played with one and it just felt super flimsy way to flimsy for me taste. Where is this shaft in comparison as far as hit and deflextion
 
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tyrod_emmons said:
well let me ask this, when the OB1 first came out I played with one and it just felt super flimsy way to flimsy for me taste. Where is this shaft in comparison as far as hit and deflextion
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If the original OB-1 felt too flimsy for you then I would suggest the OB Classic+ for sure. I think you will be pleasantly surprised by how similar the Classic+ is to your original 314.
 
OB's probably the best alternative, but why are you changing at all? Did your old 314 break or warp? If that's the case, there are quite a few pre-cat 314s floating around out there you can come across and you can just buy another one for much less than any new LD shaft would cost. I just sold one and they pop up on ebay all the time.
 
I've been a Predator guy ever since I purchased my very first one about 20 years ago. I have sought out other LD shafts that have a similar feel and I have found a couple, but keep in mind that the opinion is totally subjective, what I like and consider to be similar you may find to be 100% different. There are a few LD Shafts that I haven't tried and I am hoping to get my hands on a Vantage shaft soon after they become available. I like the OB's but the feel was not even close, not bad, just different and I had a really hard time getting past that wood ferrule so I purchased and tried the OB with the white ferrule, that was bad different. Upon closer examination some of the wood, one or two of the little "slats" appeared to be rough and unfinished. I did like the Jacoby Hybrid, a lot, but again, very different feel. The Katana worked out real well, similar feel, no complaints, and the Dominiak D3 was what I felt was the closest. the feel and feed back left me not being able to really tell the difference unless I was able to play similar shots side by side or back to back then evaluate. Anyway, I think that after clear and close examination all of the LD shafts are supposed to reasonably the same thing, I think the bigger difference is in the tip, but if you're looking for a replacement have a look at the Dominiak. I believe he also stands behind his work with a lifetime guarantee and is showing no signs of closing up and going away without a word, and is making a totally American product.
 
Researched, tested, and decided on the jacoby edge hybrid, hit was different but close enough that it took about a week before I was stringing racks together and now I'm over the top pleased with it.... Thanks for all the feed back guys!!!!
 
Had just about every shaft out there by far best hitting low deflection imo is Classic +
 
tyrod_emmons said:
Researched, tested, and decided on the jacoby edge hybrid, hit was different but close enough that it took about a week before I was stringing racks together and now I'm over the top pleased with it.... Thanks for all the feed back guys!!!!
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Good choice! I have a Jacoby Edge Hybrid on my Schon and I love it, great hitting shaft.
 
Players HXT shafts. 12.75 and 11.75 mm.

Phenolic collar with a silver ring. Available in any pin. Kamui tips.

You can purchase 2 for the price of any other LD shaft.

Oh, and have enuff left over for supper and a movie.

I use them on 2 Predator cues. Ya know, I can't tell a difference. I have let many players try them out. They all seem to like them just fine.
 
shanesinnott said:
If the original OB-1 felt too flimsy for you then I would suggest the OB Classic+ for sure. I think you will be pleasantly surprised by how similar the Classic+ is to your original 314.
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I was going to buy a 314-2 today, but held off (for the moment) because I am thinking an OB shaft might be a better choice for me. My understanding is that the deflection is about the same on the 314-2, the OB-1 and the OB Classic+, but the hit is different. Also, in terms of "hit" or "feel", OB's website describes the OB-1 as having a softer, quieter hit, compared to the Classic+ which has a white ferrule and a firmer hit. Not sure how the hit differs between the Classic+ and the 314-2, and not sure how the hit differs between the original Pre-Cat 314 and the current 314-2. Also curious what the OP means by "flimsy" when describing the original OB-1.
 
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