Shaft with inlays?

Baxter

Baxter

Out To Win
Silver Member
There's a couple local players here who's cue has a shaft with inlays. One of them said that it "strengthens the shaft and has zero deflection". I'm wondering if there's any validity to these claims. I'm doubting it. So, what would the purpose of having an inlaid shaft be, besides looking absolutely atrocious?
 
When i was at the ICCS show there were 2 cues that had the theme of the cue going into the shafts. Interesting but i would think distracting and no difference in the hit except perhaps worse.
 
That's pretty much what these guys have. 6 or 8 pointer that goes through the joint into the shaft. I think it looks horrible. Looks like a K-Mart special to me. I don't even know who made them. Interesting enough, both of these guys are good players.
 
Baxter said:
There's a couple local players here who's cue has a shaft with inlays. One of them said that it "strengthens the shaft and has zero deflection". I'm wondering if there's any validity to these claims. I'm doubting it. So, what would the purpose of having an inlaid shaft be, besides looking absolutely atrocious?
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Pechauer makes some cues with inlaid shafts and I've seen a few others. It is a matter of taste preference I guess and don't believe it has anything to do with deflection or shaft "strength."
 
Baxter said:
There's a couple local players here who's cue has a shaft with inlays. One of them said that it "strengthens the shaft and has zero deflection". I'm wondering if there's any validity to these claims. I'm doubting it. So, what would the purpose of having an inlaid shaft be, besides looking absolutely atrocious?
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That's like saying your new sneakers make you jump so high there's no gravity.

I'm not sure what they were, based on the fact that you're saying they look atrocious I'm guessing they weren't Pechauers, 'cuz they look SICK:

http://www.cheapcues.com/Pechauer_Pool_Cues.asp

The purpose: purely looks.
 
No they weren't Pechauer's. Same idea, but not nearly as good looking. The points on these cues go about 1/3rd into the shaft.
 
Baxter said:
No they weren't Pechauer's. Same idea, but not nearly as good looking. The points on these cues go about 1/3rd into the shaft.
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I can't imagine having points going a 1/3rd of the way into the shaft could possibly make the shaft stronger. I would also imagine that if the points were from a material that is heavier than hard rock maple that the shaft would actually be of a higher deflection than a normal shaft.

Regardless it's not for me as I think they look terrible, but a decent idea on doing something different with something that really hasn't changed much in looks since they were created.
 
Dieckman sometime put inlay in his shafts. You can also find a US Patent for inlay in shaft.

These inlay was to help in sighting or figuring point of contact on rail.

http://www.cuemaker.com/images/withsmithcuealt.JPG

woodjointkota112000.jpg
 
The Russian cue maker Dmytri (sp) has made some with points in the shafts.
I thought that they would be a distraction. I shot with a few of his a couple of years ago and didn't bother me a bit.
 
I think it is for the same reason that the major sport leagues constantly change the uniform designs.... TO SELL MORE. If everyone has a cue that basically will never wear out you need to come up with something to make them think that they need a new one.

People are also gullible and lazy. They are easy to convince that the latest gimmick in cue design will make them a better player. It is easier to buy a new cue than study the game and work on it.
 
Palmer did it in the 70s to great effect on their Ultra-Supreme (3rd catalog 20). Here's a couple of Ginas with inlaid shafts. One made in 1965 the other more than 40 years later. Soon that guy will have that cue making stuff down pretty good:

pikey3.jpg


pikey2.jpg



and here's a link to Tate's page showing the Ultra Supreme shafts about 1/2 down:

http://www.palmercollector.com/Model20KerryPage.html

Thanks

Kevin
 
Baxter said:
There's a couple local players here who's cue has a shaft with inlays. One of them said that it "strengthens the shaft and has zero deflection". I'm wondering if there's any validity to these claims. I'm doubting it. So, what would the purpose of having an inlaid shaft be, besides looking absolutely atrocious?
Click to expand...

I'd say those "couple local players" are either complete idiots, or just messing with you.

It's just cosmetic. Putting inlays in your cue butt doesn't make a difference either.

Now if you can put inlays into the ferrule and tip, we may be onto something :grin-square:
 
Baxter said:
There's a couple local players here who's cue has a shaft with inlays. One of them said that it "strengthens the shaft and has zero deflection". I'm wondering if there's any validity to these claims. I'm doubting it. So, what would the purpose of having an inlaid shaft be, besides looking absolutely atrocious?
Click to expand...

Inlays neither strengthen the shaft or produce a zero deflection cue, improperly done inlays can weaken the shaft

Inlayed shafts are not some new design. It is in fact, a recent resurgence of and old style which has been around for over 150 years.

If you have access to Stein & Rubino's "The Billiard Encyclopedia" look on page 278 and you will see a cue made by George Britner, Britner was an ivory turner and was around when Mingaud's leather tip was beginning to revolutionize the cue sports. Britner taught Herman Rambow his cuemaking skills while they both worked for Brunswick in Chicago. Britner and Harvey Martin have also been linked.

In the end it's just a matter of style.
 
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