Predator 314 shaft questions

[TheThaiger]

These are probably dumb questions, but what the heck.

1. Do collars affect hit in any way, shape or form, or are they purely cosmetic?

2. Will the shafts that come as standard on their SP wood to wood unilocs play the same if they are put on an Ikon or Blak, say? To clarify that, if I swapped shafts between an Ikon and a SP, will the cues play the same as they would do with their original shafts, assuming same tip, weight etc?

3. How standardised are 314 shafts? Are they identical if I were to buy one off the shelf?

Essentially, what I'm asking here is, with Predator 314s, is a shaft a shaft a shaft or are they different?

 

[iusedtoberich]

I've played with 314, Z, 314-2, and Z-2 for the past 15 yrs. I've had both 29 and 30 inch long versions of both. Ive had unilock, 5/16-14, and several collar versions. I've probably bought 20 predator shafts over the years, on maybe 5 different butts.

My personal mid-level serious player opinion is they all played the same. The only thing I hate about the ones within the past five yrs is the stock layered tip they come with. I cut it right off before even hitting one ball and put a sniper on. But that is just personal preference.

 

[TheThaiger]

I've played with 314, Z, 314-2, and Z-2 for the past 15 yrs. I've had both 29 and 30 inch long versions of both. Ive had unilock, 5/16-14, and several collar versions. I've probably bought 20 predator shafts over the years, on maybe 5 different butts.

My personal mid-level serious player opinion is they all played the same. The only thing I hate about the ones within the past five yrs is the stock layered tip they come with. I cut it right off before even hitting one ball and put a sniper on. But that is just personal preference.

Thanks. I hear ya on those tips - I HATE them - they make me mad just thinking about them! :grin: I'll have to try a sniper, but kamui black meds are great.

 

[leonkush]

the 314 2nd generations are more solid and hit firmer than the 1st generation. i prefer the 1st generation in my opinion are the better shafts and have more give. i have used the same 30 inch 1st edition 314 since 2003 and have had the joint changed 3 times to fit different cues. For example, black boars, tascarella's, and samsara. i can play more shots with this shaft than any of the shafts that came with those cues. but that is probably because i have become accustomed to where i need to hit the ball. basically it is what you become used to is my point