Steel joint or phenolic?

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T0M

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I have had my eyes on the viking VM31, I was wondering If I should go ahead and get the steel joint as well.

I heard mixed replies but was curious what the real difference would be in feel. people say steel hits harder but I dont know what that means. I tried a Vm30(steel joint) and a vm37(phenolic) and couldnt notice a difference in feel.(then again I had the store owner over my shoulder so I couldnt get real comfortable)



Any info would be appreciated.
 
T0M said:
I have had my eyes on the viking VM31, I was wondering If I should go ahead and get the steel joint as well.

I heard mixed replies but was curious what the real difference would be in feel. people say steel hits harder but I dont know what that means. I tried a Vm30(steel joint) and a vm37(phenolic) and couldnt notice a difference in feel.(then again I had the store owner over my shoulder so I couldnt get real comfortable)



Any info would be appreciated.
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I think it is just a matter of what feels comfortable to you. You've tried both and say the hit makes no difference to you, in that case get the one you think looks best. I've steel jointed and phenolic jointed cues and though I can distinctly feel a different hit I don't feel it materially effects my game. Then again my game isn't that good that the small difference between the two hits will make a big difference.
 
from what I understand, the ss joint will put the balance a little forward of the phenolic, if used on the same cue.
 
T0M said:
I have had my eyes on the viking VM31, I was wondering If I should go ahead and get the steel joint as well.

I heard mixed replies but was curious what the real difference would be in feel. people say steel hits harder but I dont know what that means. I tried a Vm30(steel joint) and a vm37(phenolic) and couldnt notice a difference in feel.(then again I had the store owner over my shoulder so I couldnt get real comfortable)



Any info would be appreciated.
Click to expand...

The cue with a SS joint will play a lot different. One is not better than the other, but they will be different. Only YOU can decide the answer to this question. Play with both types and see what YOU like best. Then you will have your answer. Do this BEFORE you buy.
 
it means just that......phenolic is softer and will give, whereas the steel piloted joint or a steel collared joint is hard and will not give. the hit is harder. just like an ivory ferrule is a harder hit than a plastic, like cerulite.

you also have less "feel" for the hit with an SS joint. you won't feel the contact as much
 
Hi Tom. This has been debated for as long as there have been different joint types. I think the consensus is that you should get what you think feels nice, and looks good. Neither joint collar type will affect your game as much as being happy with your cue will.

I just bought a cue that is 5 times as expensive as my old cue. My game hasn't changed a bit. I still chump easy shots, and make some tough ones. But I feel really good just playing with that new cue. Ha ha ha.

cheers,
jer9ball
 
Nope, instead get a wood/wood joint with ivory ferrule for a really different hit and more confusion to boot!
 
Debate about joints, what a subject. I personally love the way a phenolic
joint hits. My wife bought me a Mcdermott EK4 with a SS joint. For the life of me I can't play with this cue, I have practices countless hours with and still cant get used to the hit (solid,firm, unforgiving feel). I still have my old faithfull cue that is ivory jointed and I love the hit (soft feel).
The way I notice the difference is,IMO, set up a shot which requires allot of english, either extreme draw or 3 rail power shot, after u shoot the shot several times with each cue, u will feel the difference. For me, I just don't have the confidence with the SS joint to execute the shot properly everytime.
Really hard to explan but to each his own.

PS, Mr Bludworth is replacing my SS joint with a Ivory joint in a couple of weeks. Hope my wife doesn't notice.
 
I prefer the stainless, I have used both and have always gone back to stainless. My son won't use anything but phenolic as he says the stainless joint catches his eye when he strokes.
 
SS all the way

I have played with many different cues with many different joints and the cue I have now is the best hitting cue I have every had. It is a Predator with a SS joint and 5/16 x 14 pin. It is what I prefer but as has been stated, go with what YOU like best. It took me many years to find exactly what I liked.
 
Adanac67 said:
I have played with many different cues with many different joints and the cue I have now is the best hitting cue I have every had. It is a Predator with a SS joint and 5/16 x 14 pin. It is what I prefer but as has been stated, go with what YOU like best. It took me many years to find exactly what I liked.
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This is the only fact that can't be argued. How many CRACKED SS joints have you seen? Now, how many OTHER type CRACKED joints have you seen?
 
BazookaJoe said:
Get a wood/wood joint

Now I've REALLY confused things
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i've always thought of phenolic and wood-to-wood as genericly the same thing. ie, in a phenolic joint, you have exposed wood from shaft and butt touching.
 
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