Super cool, super unique shafts

BmoreMoney

BmoreMoney

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I've been thinking about this for awhile now and Chop Doc posted a pic the other day and got me thinking about it again. It was a beautiful Birds Eye Maple shaft. Abut two years ago I decided that I am gonna have my first full on customer built with my own design. A big part of that is I want to have my shafts built to fit into the overall design of the cue. I want something other than the same Ole same Ole straight grain maple.

We've all seen the countless threads discussing construction of LD shafts ( I definitely do not want an LD shaft ) but I do not recall ever seeing a discussion about other options for shafts. I've heard Ash is sometimes used, and I think it is said to be extremely " hard hitting " .Other than maple, ash, or purple heart are there woods that can realistically be used ?

I remember seeing some pics of older cues with shafts that had points. Are these shafts spliced together to get the points? How is the playability effected? While my design is far from being set in stone, what I am trying to achieve is possibly getting an " ebony " type shaft. Not necessarily made from ebony but a shaft that is gloss black as you would see on an ebony butt. My main concern, other than the fact I have no idea how it would be made - is if the shaft would be smooth like a normal shaft would be. Before someone makes the comment about using a glove with it, that is in no way an option lol 😉. I would also like to be able to hit it with a green scrubby to slick it up, the same as I do with any of my cues without totally messing it up.

Without getting into too many details just to give Yale an idea of what look I'm going for it is the Murda- out look for those that know what that is. Just as in the custom car scene. I haven't decided on a builder yet but my top three in no particular order are Leon Sly, Bob Frey, and Tony at Black Boar. I haven't discussed this with any of them yet as I kinda want to have my ducks in a row as far as design a little better than I have now. So anyone with any ideas I'd love to hear them. Also any cool pics anyone has of unique shafts I'd love to see them.
 
I have a shaft that was made from a Titlist, with points at the joint collar. Plays great, very different and extravagant use of a blank in my opinion.
 
Schmelke makes some stained maple shafts. I have one on a break cue. It's very smooth, people do not think it's maple. Pechauer Pro Crown Jewel series have some interesting looking shafts as well.
 
Last edited:
TX Poolnut said:
Get a look at Evgeny Stalev's shafts. Pretty cool.

Here's a thread with several pics of some cool shafts: http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=141242
Click to expand...

Thanks Nut, they a some very beautiful cues and shafts! I wonder about the shafts on posts 5,8 how the black effect was achieved? Paint? Stain? Some other way? I did notice that all of the " butterfly " designs on the shafts did not go anywhere near where the cue will be stroked. I have to wonder if that is purely for asthetics or because the finish is not suitable for stroking? I think a tiger maple shaft would look cool too. Maybe Chop Doc can give us some info on his shafts he posted?
 
ShakesSea said:
I'm not remembering the brand--something decent and not particularly fancy--but there's a production cue that's decorated with one long brown spiral that extends from the butt up to maybe 1/3 of the shaft. A player near me has it and I've never been able to decide if I like the look but it's interesting.

I'm also seen a few highly figured curly maple cues where the figuring runs all the way from butt to end of shaft.
Click to expand...

Pechauer has the Crown Jewel shafts, is that what you mean?
 
Cues

You should buy your own lathe, one you can make a shaft on.

If for nothing else but to know the true answer to your question.
 
mortuarymike-nv said:
You should buy your own lathe, one you can make a shaft on.

If for nothing else but to know the true answer to your question.
Click to expand...

Are you trying to be funny or something? Obviously my post says nothing about wanting to make a shaft. It is also clear I really don't know what all goes into making a shaft. I asked an honest question, ( which btw I believe is an interesting topic which probably quite a few people are interested in ) so if you are still butt-hurt over a disagreement we had over a thread that was prob like a year ago ( and I honestly could not even tell you what it was about because it is no big deal to me - just as it was not a big deal then) then I ask you to keep your smart ss comments to urself as I can do without them as I'm certain everyone else can too. Thanks for your cooperation in this Mike. Now, with that being said if you have anything positive to contribute I welcome that because I do think you know a little thanks again.
 
Nine Miler said:
Whatever you get made please don't use the green scrubby on it.
Click to expand...

Yeah yeah I know lol. I've heard its bad for shafts etc, but honestly I've been doing this for 20 years. It's an easy way to get the desired effect, and honestly I've never really noticed any actual damage. I am worried though if its black or whatever about scratching it or whatever. Also, aside from the scrubby I like using those little sandpaper kits that go up 2000 or whatever. Problem with those I use them up and forget to reorder. Serious question though, what are the disadvantages or actual damage caused by using the green scrubbies? I know they take of a good bit of wood, but I like thin shafts anyhow and have actually never wore one down enough for it to be an issue.
 
BmoreMoney said:
Yeah yeah I know lol. I've heard its bad for shafts etc, but honestly I've been doing this for 20 years. It's an easy way to get the desired effect, and honestly I've never really noticed any actual damage. I am worried though if its black or whatever about scratching it or whatever. Also, aside from the scrubby I like using those little sandpaper kits that go up 2000 or whatever. Problem with those I use them up and forget to reorder. Serious question though, what are the disadvantages or actual damage caused by using the green scrubbies? I know they take of a good bit of wood, but I like thin shafts anyhow and have actually never wore one down enough for it to be an issue.
Click to expand...

My understanding is that they remove wood little by little. Since that's not a problem for you, rock on with ya bad self. Sandpaper does the same thing so if you don't notice a difference, then I don't think you have anything else to worry about. :) Just make sure you do it evenly or you might notice and do it on all sides to avoid taking it out of round over time.
 
Last edited:
Unique shafts.

Good morning, BmoreMoney.

I know it's nothing like what you are seeking, sir (they are snooker cues) but thought you might be interested to see quite a rare oak shaft, sported by the cue far left.

It is without doubt the stiffest shaft I've ever encountered on a cue.

mcghzk.jpg
 
I wish people would stop ruining their shafts. Do not use anything that takes wood off the shaft, no matter how minimal it is. Cue builders know what they are doing and every bit of wood you remove, screws up what there original taper was and effects how they wanted the cue to perform. If your shaft needs to be taken down more that .25 I personally believe the original shaft maker should do it at least and they will probably tell you to just get a additional shaft. We pay for the ability of a cue maker and than some just destroy what they paid for, I don't get it.
 
TX Poolnut said:
My understanding is that they remove wood little by little. Since that's not a problem for you, rock on with ya bad self. Sandpaper does the same thing so if you don't notice a difference, then I don't think you have anything else to worry about. :) Just make sure you do it evenly or you might notice and do it on all sides to avoid taking it out of round over time.
Click to expand...

Thanks, and yeah I try to be mindful and " spin " it why I do it. To this point I haven't made any shafts out of round - as per rolling on table and looking lol.
 
Rubik's Cube said:
Good morning, BmoreMoney.

I know it's nothing like what you are seeking, sir (they are snooker cues) but thought you might be interested to see quite a rare oak shaft, sported by the cue far left.

It is without doubt the stiffest shaft I've ever encountered on a cue.

mcghzk.jpg
Click to expand...

Hey Cube, those are some gorgeous cues ( even though they're snooker 😊). I've always thought the " flat butt " was pretty cool. I think I've only ever saw one pool cue like that and maybe it too started out as a snooker cue.
 
BmoreMoney said:
Hey Cube, those are some gorgeous cues ( even though they're snooker ��). I've always thought the " flat butt " was pretty cool. I think I've only ever saw one pool cue like that and maybe it too started out as a snooker cue.
Click to expand...

Quite possibly, BMB. :)

The chamfer on the butt is a throwback to the days when folks used to push the thick end of their cues (called maces then) along the baize to strike the cueball. It was only years later some bright spark discovered far more accuracy could be achieved if one turned the mace around and hit with the thinner side!
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top