Predator BK BREAK CUE

[JoeyA]

Just a little update for you break cue users. This information was provided to me by the Predator people this morning.

The BK2 comes standard with a phenolic ferrule with carbon fiber base. If you decide to change the phenolic ferrule to one of the specially made Tiger layered tips exclusive (I think) to Predator, you MUST LEAVE THE CARBON FIBER BASE ON, or your shaft will break and of course, your warranty will be voided.

Predator will replace the linen based phenolic ferrule with a specially designed layered compressed, VERY hard tip at their factory for around $50

Most of the pros are using a phenolic ferrule on the BK2, however I am probably going to go with their special leather tip due to what I observed at the U.S. Open. Many breakers were using the cut break when breaking the nine ball rack. At least the most successful breakers were using the cut break. Since I play a little on both tight pocket Diamond Tables and other types of tables as well, I don't want the cue ball hopping anymore than necessary. When you don't hit the rack square, it increases the chances of the cue ball hopping off the table. I guess you could actually use your playing cue to do the 9 ball cut break that was popular at the u.S. Open.

I had a lot of success with the BK1 years ago when they first came out but was lured to the phenolic break/jump cues that have become so popular. My BK1 had the VERY hard, LEATHER, Tiger laminated tip designed especially for the Predator Break cue and they still use the same leather tip. Now, I am leaning more toward going back to a cue that has a larger "sweet spot" like the BK2 and of course, the original BK1. My stroke especially on the break sometimes gets a little erratic.

The Predator Air was in development for over 5 years and they have built a mini- Iron Willie for testing the jump cues and the new jump cue is supposed to be something special. It would be nice to get one of those as well but I am not Jay Helfert and cannot afford to purchase a cue for every day of the week.

Anyway, I hope the "new" info above helps you if you have questions about the BK2 Predator Break Cue.

How about another AZer giving a review on the Predator Air jump cue?

JoeyA

 

[s'portplayer]

Rep Points

REP POINTS to you JoeyA for another fine and informative post.

Thank you.

Jeffery

 

[Flettir]

Broken Shaft

I had a local billiard company that has been here for years replace my phenolic tip with a hard leather tip and they did exactly what JoeyA said not to do. They removed the secondary phenolic layer as well as the tip. The second layer has to stay on.
My BK2 shaft split on 3 sides and was ruined. When at the APA nationals in Vegas I talked to the Predator people who told me the warrenty had been voided. They were nice enough to give me discount on the replacement shaft with a leather tip instead of phenolic.
I ordered it in mid Aug and it is now mid Oct. I called Predator 2 weeks ago and they said that my order has been on hold waiting for proper ferrules for the BK leather tips. I hope they get it done soon.

Flettir

 

[Da Poet]

$50?

I suppose if you feel more comfortable having Predator make the change then thats okay, but when I ordered my BK2 from Seybert's (no personal affiliation) it was $300 with free shipping and an extra $20-$25 dollars in Seybert's Bucks so I applied that to getting the Hard Tiger leather tip installed, most likely the same one you were mentioning, and the total was about $305 delivered. And yes, they installed the tip correctly. lol

I also have a phenolic BK2 shaft that spends more time in the bag than the leather one, but that's because I'm not very consistent with it yet. It's the best phenolic break cue I've ever used, but I play mostly eight ball (gasp!) and especially for the second ball break, I like the leather tip.

BTW, I ordered a Predator Air jump cue, but I probably won't get it for another few weeks. FWIW, I'll be happy to report on it when I get it.

 

[JoeyA]

$50?

I suppose if you feel more comfortable having Predator make the change then thats okay, but when I ordered my BK2 from Seybert's (no personal affiliation) it was $300 with free shipping and an extra $20-$25 dollars in Seybert's Bucks so I applied that to getting the Hard Tiger leather tip installed, most likely the same one you were mentioning, and the total was about $305 delivered. And yes, they installed the tip correctly. lol

I also have a phenolic BK2 shaft that spends more time in the bag than the leather one, but that's because I'm not very consistent with it yet. It's the best phenolic break cue I've ever used, but I play mostly eight ball (gasp!) and especially for the second ball break, I like the leather tip.

BTW, I ordered a Predator Air jump cue, but I probably won't get it for another few weeks. FWIW, I'll be happy to report on it when I get it.

I think the price UP FRONT is 20-30 dollars for a leather tip. The $50 I believe is for the AFTER MARKET/after original sale price (and perhaps even that is their MSRP). Thanks for the input about the second ball break info.
JoeyA

 

[Flettir]

$50?

I suppose if you feel more comfortable having Predator make the change then thats okay, but when I ordered my BK2 from Seybert's (no personal affiliation) it was $300 with free shipping and an extra $20-$25 dollars in Seybert's Bucks so I applied that to getting the Hard Tiger leather tip installed, most likely the same one you were mentioning, and the total was about $305 delivered. And yes, they installed the tip correctly. lol

I am not paying to have the leather tip installed. I am buying a replacement shaft with a leather tip included. My shaft was hosed.

 

[rocky]

I was really surprised to here about the delay with your shaft Flettir. Would you please call me here at the factory so I can get this straightened out for you.

Darrin Brown
Predator Products
1-888-314-4111
9-5 EST

 

[Da Poet]

I am not paying to have the leather tip installed. I am buying a replacement shaft with a leather tip included. My shaft was hosed.

Sorry, I was responding to Joey. I was assuming he hadn't ordered the cue yet.

Yeah, you've got to be more than a little ticked in your situation. Predator has a pretty good rep for taking care of problems and it looks like you might be on your way to getting things fixed. Good luck.

 

[Flettir]

Thank You

I was really surprised to here about the delay with your shaft Flettir. Would you please call me here at the factory so I can get this straightened out for you.

Darrin Brown
Predator Products
1-888-314-4111
9-5 EST

I talked to Darrin Brown today. He was very nice and told me it was the hard leather tips that are on back order not the ferrules. He also said that he thought he might have a couple of tips at home from shows he has done in the past. I appreciate his concern and fast responce. Thank You.

Flettir
Playing Cue: Predator P2/30"Z2 (gotta love the Z2's)
Break Cue: Predator BK2 with 314 (until my regular shaft gets here)

 

[JoeyA]

The Value Of Az Billiards.

I talked to Darrin Brown today. He was very nice and told me it was the hard leather tips that are on back order not the ferrules. He also said that he thought he might have a couple of tips at home from shows he has done in the past. I appreciate his concern and fast responce. Thank You.

Flettir
Playing Cue: Predator P2/30"Z2 (gotta love the Z2's)
Break Cue: Predator BK2 with 314 (until my regular shaft gets here)

This forum proves its value to aspiring players and suppliers alike EACH AND EVERY DAY.
JoeyA

 

[CTYankee]

Darrin took care of my 314*2 ferrule when it was having issues (prior to the recall). He is a great guy and got my shaft back to me in no time.

 

[McChen]

hmm....not sure i understand here. if you get a leather tip, you also have to get a different ferrule? why would you have to do this?

is the leather tip a different one that the tiger j/b tip?

 

[Flettir]

hmm....not sure i understand here. if you get a leather tip, you also have to get a different ferrule? why would you have to do this?

is the leather tip a different one that the tiger j/b tip?

To clarify, no you do not have to get a different ferrule. The one on there is fine as long as they leave the absorbing pad that is between the ferrule and the tip in place. Problem is, it looks like it could be part of the tip and some people remove it by accident. Once that happens your shaft will split. You just need to get someone who really knows what they are doing when it comes to Predator shafts.

 

[Flettir]

Break Shaft

Just got off the phone with Darren. the shaft is finished and should be here by Wednesday. My thanks to Darren and to this forum. I did not post on this tread to get this done. It was to let people know what happens when the tip is replaced incorrectly. But it does show the power of the forum and I am glad that it expedited the process for me.

 

[McChen]

ah, thanks flettir, i get it now. i remember my bk2 cue came with a little card saying to leave the tip plate on if the tip ever needed to be changed, and now we know why, hehe. let us know how the leather tip compares to the phenolic when you get it. i had tried one of the tiger j/b tips earlier (not on the bk2) and i was quite impressed with it. i assume this is the tip predator is using....

 

[JoeyA]

REP POINTS to you JoeyA for another fine and informative post.

Thank you.

Jeffery

Thanks for the kind words and the REP POINTS, Jeffrey. It would be nice if Mike got that counter working properly.

I received my Predator BK2 with HARD leather tip instead of the phenolic ferrule and had a practice match against one of New Orleans better players (who always play out of Buffalo Billiards on Airline Drive).

Banger's Paradise continues to send the better players our way even though we have to retrain them in pool etiquette. Those players who are willing to learn and excel are always welcome just as Keith F has found out. There is a wealth of knowledge and experience being shared at Buffalo Billiards for players of all abilities.

But getting back to the BK2: I was playing a tough match against one of the better players and he didn't know I was using the BK2 for the first time and when we played 9 ball, he mused that if I could continue to "break like that" I could go on the pro tour. I thought it was pretty funny but the more I broke the more balls went in the hole and the less I had to pocket after the break. The cue ball was FAR MORE CONTROLLABLE, with the BK2 with the leather tip. I don't exaggerate about my skill or equipment and you can take it to the bank, my breaking accuracy has gone up SIGNIFICANTLY.

I know that there are other cue makers out there who build similar high quality cues like Mike Bender and some of them probably build them even cheaper than he does. I like the fact that Mike was a machinist before he became a skilled cue maker and also the fact that his wife Tracey Dunham are both involved in the cue making enterprise. Their attention to detail suits me quite well. The idea of visiting their establishment at the end of the Alaskan Pipeline in Delta Junction Alaska has always been an interest of mine. Maybe one day....

Anyway, I am more than pleased to be back breaking with the Predator break cue and while I still don't know what the phenolic tip breaks like, I do not want to know. The leather tip gives me all of the power and control I need and want. The sweet spot is larger and allows a wild and reckless guy like me to hit the cue ball straighter,faster and with less bounce than is normally possible with other break cues.

I have a Predator Air jump cue on the brown truck right now and should be delivered Monday or Tuesday just in time for a little practice before the US Amateur Championship. I'll give my $.02 when it arrives. Predator has a good "story" about all of their products and while I haven't become a convert for the regular playing shafts, I am completely sold on the BK2 with super hard, leather tip. Oh yeah, I purachased it from Seyberts but no more Seybert bucks.... (free shipping)

JoeyA

 

[Da Poet]

Thanks for the kind words and the REP POINTS, Jeffrey. It would be nice if Mike got that counter working properly.

I received my Predator BK2 with HARD leather tip instead of the phenolic ferrule and had a practice match against one of New Orleans better players (who always play out of Buffalo Billiards on Airline Drive).

Banger's Paradise continues to send the better players our way even though we have to retrain them in pool etiquette. Those players who are willing to learn and excel are always welcome just as Keith F has found out. There is a wealth of knowledge and experience being shared at Buffalo Billiards for players of all abilities.

But getting back to the BK2: I was playing a tough match against one of the better players and he didn't know I was using the BK2 for the first time and when we played 9 ball, he mused that if I could continue to "break like that" I could go on the pro tour. I thought it was pretty funny but the more I broke the more balls went in the hole and the less I had to pocket after the break. The cue ball was FAR MORE CONTROLLABLE, with the BK2 with the leather tip. I don't exaggerate about my skill or equipment and you can take it to the bank, my breaking accuracy has gone up SIGNIFICANTLY.

I know that there are other cue makers out there who build similar high quality cues like Mike Bender and some of them probably build them even cheaper than he does. I like the fact that Mike was a machinist before he became a skilled cue maker and also the fact that his wife Tracey Dunham are both involved in the cue making enterprise. Their attention to detail suits me quite well. The idea of visiting their establishment at the end of the Alaskan Pipeline in Delta Junction Alaska has always been an interest of mine. Maybe one day....

Anyway, I am more than pleased to be back breaking with the Predator break cue and while I still don't know what the phenolic tip breaks like, I do not want to know. The leather tip gives me all of the power and control I need and want. The sweet spot is larger and allows a wild and reckless guy like me to hit the cue ball straighter,faster and with less bounce than is normally possible with other break cues.

I have a Predator Air jump cue on the brown truck right now and should be delivered Monday or Tuesday just in time for a little practice before the US Amateur Championship. I'll give my $.02 when it arrives. Predator has a good "story" about all of their products and while I haven't become a convert for the regular playing shafts, I am completely sold on the BK2 with super hard, leather tip. Oh yeah, I purachased it from Seyberts but no more Seybert bucks.... (free shipping)

JoeyA

My thoughts exactly.

The only thing I did a little different is I took the tip down about a third to get it a little harder. Your absolutely right about the big sweet spot compared to the phenolic tip.

During a weekly eight ball round robin tournament though, for whatever reason, the second ball break wasn't getting it done so I switched shafts to the phenolic tip and got better results breaking straight on. I think it's a sensible option having both. I was really happy with the leather tip, but the mystery of how the phenolic would do was too much for me! lol Had to get one and I'm very glad I did.

 

[JoeyA]

My thoughts exactly.

The only thing I did a little different is I took the tip down about a third to get it a little harder. Your absolutely right about the big sweet spot compared to the phenolic tip.

During a weekly eight ball round robin tournament though, for whatever reason, the second ball break wasn't getting it done so I switched shafts to the phenolic tip and got better results breaking straight on. I think it's a sensible option having both. I was really happy with the leather tip, but the mystery of how the phenolic would do was too much for me! lol Had to get one and I'm very glad I did.

Since I haven't tried the phenolic tip with the BK2, I don't have a comparison but with carrying a playing cue & two shafts, a jump shaft and two jump butts and a break cue I don't have much room left in my 2/4 Jack Justis case. You bring up an interesting perspective using the phenolic tip to break head on. You could probably amp up the break a bit with the phenolic tip. I wonder if Predator has those test results. I would loveto know if they have comparisons of speed using phenolic tip versus hard layered Tiger tip. I hope to make a personal breaking comparison some day.
Thanks,
JoeyA

 

[maxeypad2007]

I just picked up a predator bk2 break cue with the hard leather tip and this has improved my break by at least 25 percent.

I've owned every break cue imaginable at this point. Mace, sledgehammer (not the newest version), j&j (don't laugh), xbreaker2, assorted phenolic tip/ferrule combos, cuetec and hammerhead.

To be honest the hammerhead was the best I had tried up until the bk2. I find that breaking I have a much stronger control of the cueball and the balls really spread well.

I'd like to try out the phenolic, but I doubt it would make a difference.

Bk2 all the way. The taper is too aggressive on most of the other break cues I have tried. Did I mention that I despise the concept of the "break jump"

 

[JoeyA]

I just picked up a predator bk2 break cue with the hard leather tip and this has improved my break by at least 25 percent.

I've owned every break cue imaginable at this point. Mace, sledgehammer (not the newest version), j&j (don't laugh), xbreaker2, assorted phenolic tip/ferrule combos, cuetec and hammerhead.

To be honest the hammerhead was the best I had tried up until the bk2. I find that breaking I have a much stronger control of the cueball and the balls really spread well.

I'd like to try out the phenolic, but I doubt it would make a difference.

Bk2 all the way. The taper is too aggressive on most of the other break cues I have tried. Did I mention that I despise the concept of the "break jump"

Oh why oh why did you have to go and post another post on this thread. I was hoping it would die a natural death. I hope no one ever uses a BK2 against me as I believe I may be able to out break ANYONE who does not have one, providing the balls are racked the same each time. It does provide ME with an advantage that I don't get with any other break cue.

OK, Darrin, now you can send me my new 19 oz 5k3 cue with 314-2 shaft as it looks remarkably similar to my new Bender cue. You can add a Z-2 shaft for me to test also but I will probably return it after testing it for a while.

I tested the Predator Air and the BK2 w/leather tip and it passed JoeyA's test with flying colors but I won't be spending additional monies on the 5K3 even though it looks stylishly better than both of the above so now you can PM me for my shipping address for my freebies.

JoeyA