Specialized Chalks - Pricing/Performance/Pre-shot routine/etc.

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Wanted to create a thread for this as the Pagulayan Shaft thread started going that way.

Wanted to gather opinions on specialized chalk, (TAOM, Titlist, Pag) and why you like it? I've been strict with Blue Master forever, always using my own piece, never what is provided at whatever venue. Usually buy them a gross at a time and work through that gross over a year or 2.

Some of my questions:

1. Which brand do you prefer?

2. Why do you like it over other brands? What do you dislike about those other brands?

3. What is the price point of the brand you use per cube.

4. How long does a piece last you?

5. Did switching to a new piece affect your preshot routine?

I'm not looking to make the switch, I'm curious of the reasons to use it over Master especially with the larger price point per cube. I'm not a cheapass by any means, but there seems to be a lot of contradictory talk in that thread with people taking shots at the price tag on the Pagulayan shaft, but are ok with 20 dollars per cube of chalk, so I'm curious of the reasons/justification.

Edit to add: I too think the Pag shaft is priced too high.
 
I use Taom simply because it works fine and is super clean. I pay $13 a cube, and between using 5 different cues, it lasts a year easily. It probably does change my pre-shot a bit, because if it's a straightforward out, I won't rechalk between shots. That HAS had some detrimental side effects. Brian.
 
I use Kamiu .98. I usually chalk once per rack or 2 racks and before extreme English shots. It is not for folks who chalk every shot because it leaves residue. $32 per cube. One piece last a year. PSR changes if I ever use a different brand and then I chalk every shot. It is a great chalk if you do not use too much. Since I do not use too much it keeps my table clean.
 
1. Taom Soft

2. It's far cleaner than green Triangle, which I was using for years prior, and I wasn't getting on with 2.0 or V10. It's very nice on laminated tips as I find it's a little pastier than the other Taom options. I don't have any experiences using any of the popular American brands (Kamui, blue Master, Predator, etc.). It's nice being able to pocket your chalk without having to worry about it messing up your trousers

3. It was £12.50 on Green Baize, which is about €14 for me

4. I've been using my first block since last January, and I reckon I'll get another six months out of it, at least

5. No, I've always chalked the same, regardless of me using Taom or Triangle
 
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1. Taom, like V10 and Pyro pretty equally. I hear Pagulayan is the same stuff and want to try it because round is a dumb shape for chalk since it rolls away when you drop it

2. Taom is just so much cleaner, I notice my hands, my glove, and my shaft all staying cleaner during use.

3. $20

4. I can get about a year out of a piece I think and I'm not the best chalker....I try to brush the whole thing across the tip but despite my best efforts I still get a fairly deep divot in the center and I just don't care enough to force myself to change further.

5. Yes, only because before I mostly used the Masters on the table so it took a solid 4-6 weeks before I was able to fully engrain the habit of picking up my chalk every time I leave my chair, every time I move around the table, and then when I go back to my chair. But I much prefer it now, I always have my chalk right at my side to grab quickly, chalk as part of my pre-shot routine, put it down, shoot my shot, and pick it back up to move onto the next shot.
 
There's a YouTube channel called Average Joes Pool. He does some very in-dept reviews of different chalks, cues, balls, etc. Worth taking a look at, fair, interesting and very well done. He's Canadian.
 
I like Kamui Roku. I like it because it's a bit softer and easier to apply than V10. I think I pay about $30 for one. I get it to about 2/3s in about a year, then I give it away and use a new one. I've converted a few folks that said that fancy chalk was too expensive.
 
masters for me. until all my opponents use taom i don't see the point. or the banger that played on the table earlier in the day. if i had a table at home it would be a different story
 
1. V10, but I am trying the Pagulayan chalk now (been using two weeks). I think I am leaning towards Taom as I feel like it is less pasty, but that is probably something in my head.

2. I use it purely because it is so much cleaner at home and I don't want to switch back and forth when going to the hall.

3. $20

4. ~6 months

5. Not really. I am a serial chalker. I chalk while sitting in my chair, then on my way to the table, and between shots. The only thing that really changed is that I keep it in my pocket now.
 
I've always used Masters
I tried Kamui chalk 10 yrs ago, it was terrible. like lipstick all over everything. In the trash
I tried Taum V10 for the 1st time last week & love it. Perfect chalk.
 
I have switched from Master to Triangle since finding a new cube at the poolhall. It's a different shade than the 5-6 new cubes that have been in a baggie for some years. It goes on smooth with less swiping compared to the Master or Triangles that I've been using
 
Not understanding the "specialized" part - it's all just chalk.

Since getting some Taom, my experience is it works and is pretty clean compared to the Master brand of which I have a lot, lol.

Won't be using anything else because I'm happy with the Taom and can't imagine anything would work better.
 
slach said:
There's a YouTube channel called Average Joes Pool. He does some very in-dept reviews of different chalks, cues, balls, etc. Worth taking a look at, fair, interesting and very well done. He's Canadian.
Click to expand...
I was onboard with checking that out until the Canadian part.

I kid. Will check him out. Thanks!
 
Taom V10 Pros
I can't seem to wear out my first piece.
Hands stay way cleaner.
Shafts also stay much cleaner as does my cue case.
Table cloth needs much less cleaning, maybe that will make it last longer?
Balls need much less polishing, maybe that will make them last longer?
Stays on the tip very well and I don't need to chalk every shot, tips last longer?
I can't say for sure but I feel better when using extreme spin, more confident.

Taom V10 Cons
Price seems expensive (at first).
Round shape is annoying to many, does not bother me much.
It can build up a little on the edges of the tip. If it falls off it should be vacuumed up as it seems to work into the cloth, if rubbed in.
Green only, the Pyro blue does not seem the same.
If you do miscue it can leave a very stubborn mark on the cue ball.

All in all I love this chalk and will probably never switch back to Masters, Blue Diamond or any other chalk.
 
V10

Clean - very, very clean. Masters required much more table maintenance and hand washing.

$20-25

I had one I thought I lost so I bought another. I found the original a week later. The original is at 25 months and it’s less than half used up (Home). The replacement piece (pool hall league) is over a year old and is less than 1/4 used up. I play about 30-60 minutes per day, plus two league nights and an occasional tournament weekly. I chalk every third-fourth shot. I paint the chalk on; I don’t center grind.

Yes. I don’t chalk every shot. But I don’t miss the step to chalk since I look at the chalk every shot instead and apply if necessary.
 
Cuebuddy said:
Taom V10 Pros
I can't seem to wear out my first piece.
Hands stay way cleaner.
Shafts also stay much cleaner as does my cue case.
Table cloth needs much less cleaning, maybe that will make it last longer?
Balls need much less polishing, maybe that will make them last longer?
Stays on the tip very well and I don't need to chalk every shot, tips last longer?
I can't say for sure but I feel better when using extreme spin, more confident.

Taom V10 Cons
Price seems expensive (at first).
Round shape is annoying to many, does not bother me much.
It can build up a little on the edges of the tip. If it falls off it should be vacuumed up as it seems to work into the cloth, if rubbed in.
Green only, the Pyro blue does not seem the same.
If you do miscue it can leave a very stubborn mark on the cue ball.

All in all I love this chalk and will probably never switch back to Masters, Blue Diamond or any other chalk.
Click to expand...
^THIS
Plus- It makes for much easier clean up on my table after each use.
 
I use masters, chalk sometimes, probably once every break and every fifth shot or so. I use a lot of English and rarely miscue.

I hate the new chalks, they always leave impossible to clean marks on my table.
 
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