Pro's using either Z or 314?
- Thread starter racer rx
- Start date
alex p used a z shaft for a while. i think the smaller tip is what throws people not the deflection factor.
A lot of players simply can't get used to a Z. The 314 is more like a traditional shaft, whereas a Z has a conical taper and a smaller tip. I can tell you from personal experience that a Z is a drastic change from a traditional shaft. I was able to make the adjustment, but I know several players who just couldn't get used to the Z (one in particular is our own Fred Agnir - do a search). There's a lot that has to be unlearned in order to play with a Z, and for good players who have gotten used to their equipment over a long period of time, that can be a very tough thing.racer rx said:
To answer the question posed in your thread title, I know Mike Davis was using a Z the last time I saw him, which was a few months ago.
-djb
Mike Davis uses a Z-Shaft.. I don't know if I could do it though, that taper is... ew.
DoomCue said:
Nah, I might stop by there though... I haven't played in almost 2 months because I had a terrible case of sciatica and I could barely stand up much less walk around the table and bend over playing pool. But it's 99% gone now so I'm gonna start hitting balls again here soon. It's hard for me to play in the summer when it's so nice outside too... plus I have summer school every stinking day. Who all is coming out to Babineau's?
Gerda gave the Z a try for quite a while. She told me she had to give it up & go back to the 314. Seems for her the Z was very unforgiving with a slightly incorrect tip placement on stroke. She said she simply missed way too many balls with the Z....went back to the 314 & no more problems. I just saw her yesterday & she was sporting a very nice KwikFire cue...one of the Kelly Fisher cues made by Carolina. 
Varney Cues said:Gerda gave the Z a try for quite a while. She told me she had to give it up & go back to the 314. Seems for her the Z was very unforgiving with a slightly incorrect tip placement on stroke. She said she simply missed way too many balls with the Z....went back to the 314 & no more problems. I just saw her yesterday & she was sporting a very nice KwikFire cue...one of the Kelly Fisher cues made by Carolina.
I've never had a problem with the Z at all. At first it took a little getting used to and I just had to adjust. Every time I have missed a ball with it, it was because I dogged it. No excuses.
I've never been the type of person to buy different cues or shafts because there is something wrong with my game. If I am missing balls, it's usually because of something I did, not the shaft. I know a lot of people don't agree with that, but it is the truth. I usually go back to the fundamentals, others go back to the store and get another cue.
I see players all of the time that are constantly switching equipment. Most of the time they never give themselves enough time to adapt - they want instantaneous results. There is one player that I know that has a new cue every 3 months. I've known him for over 20 years and I have seen him shoot with 100 or more different cues - and he's still looking for another cue as I type this. If your game sucks shooting with a $150 Cuetec, it will suck just as bad with a $4000 McDaniel. The wood isn't magic, neither are shafts.
JMO.
Blackjack said:
agreed to a certain extent, but the Z shaft is significantly different to other shafts, I can understand someone not liking it or being able to play well with it. The tip is really small and the taper is completely different to what most players are used to. Not to mention it's really high deflection too.
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radge69 said:
i was torn on what to write lol. low deflection is the more commonly used term, but high deflection is technically correct. after all, the shaft deflects/bends out of the way so as not to push the cue ball off line.
if they made a z shaft that was 12.5-12.75 i'd give one a try but less than 12mm is just too small.
They do. It's 314-2.poolplayer2093 said:
JoeyInCali said:
i mean with the z shafts taper
poolplayer2093 said:
If you like that taper just cut the shaft off a house cue.
Z shaft taper with 12.25 mm tip = .900+ at the joint.Varney Cues said:If you like that taper just cut the shaft off a house cue.
That'd be a great breaker!
racer rx said:
I was going to buy a Z-shaft, but some Pro told me not to. I ended with a 314. The reason he told me not to buy the Z-shaft, is because it's hard to control. The deflection between those 2 shaft, isn't significant. But when you want to put a little english, you will overdo it with the Z.