> When you call Evan to order one,even he will tell you if you can't feel the difference,why pay the difference?
If you CAN feel it,there IS a difference. The feel of the shaft is crisper,and will make a slightly different sound when coming thru the ball. This is even more apparent without the pad under the tip. I use the Sumo one piece tips,which are pretty similar to the WB Schon uses by default,and no pad.
As best I can tell,there is no difference in the quality of the wood he chooses to put ivory ferrules on,at least no more variation that you get from shaft blank to blank.
I don't have a problem at all with their standard material,but ivory is better for ME,so that's all I use,but my shafts are old enough they don't have the engraving above the collars.
You can't go wrong with ivory,unless you're caught up in the low-deflection debate. All you have to remember is simple cue care.
Wipe a little carnauba wax on it maybe once a week.
Keep the edges of worn-out chalk off it.
Chalk dust will NOT stick to it in an amount that can't be blown off with your lips.
Do NOT let it get cold or hot and then rapidly change environments.
Weather has cracked or shattered more ivory ferrules and joints than actual play or even breaking EVER has.
This isn't as critical if you leave the pad on,but don't let the tip get down to less than 1/16 sidewall thickness and start breaking with it.
Hope this helps,Tommy D.