Proper use of tip pick.....

jed1894

jed1894

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
....for a Schon tip.

For those of you who have Schon tips or another tip of similar texture, what would be the proper use of a tip pick? I read somewhere (can't find it now) that a tip pick was the best thing to use on a Schon tip. Do you just stick it lightly or twist just a little?

I just been hitting it with a little sand paper just to scuff up (may be the best way...I don't know).

thanks, jed
 
Scott Lee said:
Best thing to use on a tip...good chalk...period! Tip piks, scuffers, etc. are not needed, and just wear out the tip faster.

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
Click to expand...


Scott, what tip are you using that you never have to do any maintenance to it? All of the tips that I use eventually stop holding chalk if nothing is done to them. Just wondering if there is a tip out there that I don't know about because it would be nice to increase the life of my tips (especially if they cost less than moori, kamui, etc.).

As for the OP, when my tip stops holding chalk, I usually take the time to reshape the tip and clean it up a little. I never have liked the tip pick, but I'm sure that there are many that swear by it. As far as I know you just roll the tip pick into the tip to "rough" it up so that it will hold chalk.
 
jed1894 said:
....for a Schon tip.

For those of you who have Schon tips or another tip of similar texture, what would be the proper use of a tip pick? I read somewhere (can't find it now) that a tip pick was the best thing to use on a Schon tip. Do you just stick it lightly or twist just a little?

I just been hitting it with a little sand paper just to scuff up (may be the best way...I don't know).

thanks, jed
Click to expand...

Just tap the points firmly all over the tip, poking them straight in and pulling them straight out - don't twist at all. The edges of each little hole raise up slightly as you pull the points straight out, creating the slight texture you need for better chalk application.

Picking doesn't remove any leather like "scuffers" and doesn't compress the tip like tappers. I've used a Tip Pik this way every day for years on my expensive layered tips without harm or faster wear.

pj
chgo
 
The tip-pick I have came with the specific directions of tapping the tip and giving a slight twist as you pull it out (no snickering over the language used...). Granted this is in exact contrast to what PJ says, I do it and it hasn't really done much to increase the wear on my tip, just make sure you're only doing a VERY slight twist, no need to twist the tip-pick half way, naturally pulling it out almost gives it enough twist as it is. The main purpose of a tip pick is to create holes in your tip that will retain the chalk again, so if you aren't having problems retaining chalk, don't use it. I'd say I use mine ever 12 hours of play...not often at all. And make sure to chalk your cue correctly, don't grind your tip into the chalk, apply it almost in brush strokes (watch how Allison Fisher chalks, that's perfect). Doing this correctly will greatly reduce the need for the tip-pick.


Hope some of that made sense. Good luck out there!
 
There's a lot of fancy gadgets out there now for doctoring your tip. I do believe at some points the tip needs to be worked.

I remember many years ago when we didn't have all these items I would carry a safety pin with me to poke little holes in my tip. It was handy because it could be closed up and put into my pocket. Maybe I should have took out a pattern for my safety pin.
 
I use a pick for installing tips by hand. Twisting is great if you have a layered tip and want to reduce the life of your tip by twisting off a couple of layers.
I carry and use a 4" curved shaper (120 grit). A very light scuff on occasion is all that is required to make your tip hold chalk.
 
I believe the plain old tip tappers work pretty well. I just roll mine across my tip with a little pressure. This dimples the tip, breaks the glaze, and does not tear up the tip.
 
Thanks for all the replies.

As all you Schon tip users know, the tip is very hard and doesn't hold chalk as good as say a Kamui (that tip is amazing how it holds chalk), but I have grown to like the hit of the factory Schon tip. However, after playing with the tip a while without touching with a little sand paper, I can see through the chalk and see the tip as if a light coat of chalk is on the tip. Just a little touch will bring it back nicely. I even tried the Blue Diamond chalk (that was a waste of money) and it does the very same.

So, I'll try the tip pick as you guys described to see how it goes.

thanks again, jed
 
Proper use of a pick....

Fro_Sheer_Photo.jpg


Oh, wait you said TIP PICK... sorry.
 
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DukeOfAim...I use the same tips others use...Talisman, Moori, Kamui. I just NEVER have to "dress" the tip, once it's installed and shaped originally...and I break with my playing cues too! My current tips have been on for more than 5 years, and are no where near needing to be replaced yet. Part of that is because I don't have to pick, scuff, sand, or otherwise do anything to the tips...other than chalk them. Several older players (I'm 55) told me many years ago, that the tip shapes itself, and all you really need to do is chalk it. I believed that then, and I've been doing it that way now for over 35 years. Most people mess with their tip after a miscue. Miscues happen 10-1 more often because of a poor stroke, than a poor tip. I can't speak for others, but this is my opinion based on a lot of experience.

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com

DukeOfAim said:
Scott, what tip are you using that you never have to do any maintenance to it? All of the tips that I use eventually stop holding chalk if nothing is done to them. Just wondering if there is a tip out there that I don't know about because it would be nice to increase the life of my tips (especially if they cost less than moori, kamui, etc.).

As for the OP, when my tip stops holding chalk, I usually take the time to reshape the tip and clean it up a little. I never have liked the tip pick, but I'm sure that there are many that swear by it. As far as I know you just roll the tip pick into the tip to "rough" it up so that it will hold chalk.
Click to expand...
 
tips and session

Scott Lee said:
DukeOfAim...I use the same tips others use...Talisman, Moori, Kamui. I just NEVER have to "dress" the tip, once it's installed and shaped originally...and I break with my playing cues too! My current tips have been on for more than 5 years, and are no where near needing to be replaced yet. Part of that is because I don't have to pick, scuff, sand, or otherwise do anything to the tips...other than chalk them. Several older players (I'm 55) told me many years ago, that the tip shapes itself, and all you really need to do is chalk it. I believed that then, and I've been doing it that way now for over 35 years. Most people mess with their tip after a miscue. Miscues happen 10-1 more often because of a poor stroke, than a poor tip. I can't speak for others, but this is my opinion based on a lot of experience.

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
Click to expand...

Scott,

hello, 1st let me remind u who i am, we met in westfield, NY when u were giving a lesson to P.R....we have spoke about tryn to hook up on a few times and am still interested, in fact not sure what your doing for valley forge but i will be there, perhaps before or after we could get together? i know short notice and your schedules tight but i just kinda thought of it.

anyway, i have played with the old original WB hard playing tip (12+ yrs) ever since they changed the moori's. i use to pay an arm and a leg for them 7 or 8 yrs ago from Ted Harris, going price at the time, arm n a leg. but, i have been playing with a top player in Buffalo like once a week and he had me sold on kamui Black hards...than he got a new shaft in that had a kamui med/soft that he told me to try despite he knows i hate soft tips. well, it hit pretty sweet, plenty of action yet no mushrooming or grooming, and it hits fairly hard for a med/soft once beat down which i am not sure how or why but its the only softer tip i like. but, point is no spongeness like most soft tips and lots of feel to it. it doesnt hit like the hard tips which i like cause as long as my stroke is sound and i committ to it, i am not appying any uninttended english and i also like the feel, not as much feedback but i like...so, i ask what you think of the kamui med/soft and kamui black hard.

ty for your time Scott and hope all is well,
james canada

btw, if u want to pm me about a session in near future let me know thanks again
 
Last edited:
Scott Lee said:
Best thing to use on a tip...good chalk...period! Tip piks, scuffers, etc. are not needed, and just wear out the tip faster.

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
Click to expand...


I agree with Scott on this, but would add that an occasional touch-up with a Willard tool will keep that dime, or nickle, shape just the way you like it with minimal tip loss.
Also, I believe you should never use a tip-pic on a laminated (layered) tip for obvious reasons.
 
Scott Lee said:
Best thing to use on a tip...good chalk...period! Tip piks, scuffers, etc. are not needed, and just wear out the tip faster.

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
Click to expand...

I'm with Scott. Unless your tip is seriously mis-shapen, flattened, or mushroomed.

I do tip replacements for my teammates and friends at the pool hall; There's nothing I like to see more than some guy who spends five minutes shaping and grooming his tip before each session. It's like money in the bank!
 
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