Predator BK2 cue information

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Ilove2playpool

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I just went to their website ( http://www.predatorcues.com/predator_cues_bk2_demo.html ) and found these stats about the new Predator BK2 cue.:

Shaft BK2 - (so I guess now there's a special shaft for the BK2 cue)

Standard shaft length 29" (30"-add $10)

Shaft construction 10 piece and Predator technology

Butt construction 4 piece – rear weighted

Standard tip.: Which is a "Linen Phynolic Tip" followed by a "Carbon Fiber Laminate Tip Plate" on an "Ivorine 3" ferrule.

Joint Uni-Loc®

Standard weight 19oz (18.5-20.5 available)

MSRP.: No Wrap - $375, Linen Wrap - $395
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I also emailed predator with the following questions.:

1. I noticed that the shaft has a Linen Phynolic tip followed by a and Carbon Fiber Laminate tip plate combined with an Ivorine 3 ferrule. So is this on a "314" or a "Z" shaft?

2. Because it's a Linen Phynolic tip, does that mean it never needs to be replaced? I'm assuming that Phynolic and Phenolic Tips are the same?

3. And is there an exact date when the cue will be made available to the general public?

So as soon as I get a reply, I'll post it to the group.

I was also thinking that you could just buy the new BK2 shaft and put it on an old BK cue, but according to their website, even the butt of the BK2 cue has undergone significant changes.

About a month ago, I contact the guys at Platinum Billiards ( http://www.platinumbilliards.com ), which is the site that does that "Which cue breaks the fastest" test, and they said thay would test the BK2 (along with the X-Breaker cue) as soon as they got their hands on one.

I'm a little disappointed because on the predator website you can click on the "Demo" option, but it doesn't actually show someone using/demoing an actual cue. It just provides more statistics and descriptions about the BK2 cue. When it said a demo, I was expecting an actual demonstration (someone breaking with the cue) like they do on the X-Breaker and the SledgeHammer websites :(
 
Thanks for the information. Quick question: how does watching someone using a cue help you? Alex Pagulayan is going to look the same breaking with any cue, are there any pros that you would like to see a video tape of them breaking?
 
Well I guess after seeing players demo-ing breaking with a break cue (like I did on the Sledgehammer and X-Breaker websites) that it was a good selling point. I guess just seeing a lot of balls pocketed on the break is impressive. I just thought that when they said "demo", that I'd see someone breaking/demonstrating one, especially since it's supposed to be new and improved.

Also, I just received this information from a Predator Representative.:

1. The shaft is a break shaft; the dynamics of it are a lot closer to the "314" than they are the "Z".

2. The tip is "Phenolic", looks like "Phynolic" is a typo on the specs page; I will have someone look at it.

3. We are going to start filling orders on them in Late December, so they should be available around the first of the year.

http://www.predatorcues.com/predator_cues_bk2_demo.html

I’m also curious about the BK2's new tip, which is a "Linen Phenolic" tip, attached to a "Carbon Fiber Laminate" tip plate, attached to an "Ivorine 3" ferrule.:

What is a "Linen Phenolic Tip"? Are there different kinds of Phenolic tips? And can this tip be chalked?

What is a "Carbon Fiber Laminate Tip Plate"?

And what is an "Ivorine 3" ferrule?

Can someone here answer these questions for me?
 
1. When people refer to phenolic, it is usually linen phenolic. Of course it can be chalked otherwise why would they use it as a tip?

2. Like a fiber pad, it sounds like something that goes underneath the tip to make it break faster and protect the ferrule.

3. Ivorine 3 is a type of material, here is more info found on Google:
Atlas Ivorine-3® is the best linen based material available to custom cue makers! The material is strong, impact-resistant and bonds with epoxy and wood glue. Ivorine-3® has a very fine weave and a beautiful soft white color. Manufactured in ferrule, joint and butt sizes.

Anything else?
 
The reason I asked could the tip be chalked, is (unless I'm mistaken) I thought that Phenolic tips were so hard and non-porous that they didn’t hold chalk. For example, with the Stinger and Sledgehammer cues, can you use a tip pik, sandpaper or any other tool that roughs up a tip so it can hold chalk?
 
Linen Phenolic holds chalk better that a canvas phenolic but still needs to be chalked before use.
 
Anyone know if the BK 2 will have the HUGE ugly bronze panther Predator logo tattooed on the side of the butt?

I always thought that made the original BK much less appealing.
 
NaClBandit said:
Anyone know if the BK 2 will have the HUGE ugly bronze panther Predator logo tattooed on the side of the butt?

I always thought that made the original BK much less appealing.
Click to expand...

I agree it looks tacky. The photos on Mueller's new listing for it certainly show the panther, along with an equally tacky "BK2" logo on the shaft collar. (The BK1 had "314" in big letters in the same spot, but at least the lettering was resonably classy.)

You can also review the new features in a Flash movie on the Predator site. Some interesting design changes are making the finish matte all the way down the shaft and past the joint to the forearm to avoid "burn" on long follow throughs. I've never had this problem with my BK1, but I have gotten minor blisters on my thumb from the non-flush joint design that's always seemed out of place on a $300 cue. Another thing they've done is make the version with wrap have it go all the way to the end of the butt like a Sledgehammer, which makes a lot of sense to me for a break cue.

The new tip setup can also be seen in the Flash movie in the "Faster" section. They are apparently using not only a Phenolic top but also a "Carbon Fiber Laminate Tip Plate" between the tip and the ferrule. I personally would have thought this redundant if they are already using a tip as hard as Phenolic, but evidently they don't.

BTW I have seen a company (in the Philipines IIRC) advertising refinishing/customizing services especially for the BK to take off the Panther and replace it with a design of your choice.
 
LWW said:
Always has had a special shaft. It's a 314 with a stiffer taper.

LWW
Click to expand...

Yah, try playing with a BK as a regular cue and it feels really weird even if you are used to regular 314 shafts. Still I've heard tell of Pros who liked the taper so much they put BK shafts on their regular butts. (The BK butt is very rear-balanced, which adds to the weird feel of course.)
 
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