The need for a second / backup shaft

[fish2]

Decades ago before the advent of super glue, the second or backup shaft was important, but eversince I started using super glue to install tips, I have never had a tip come off.

When was the last time that you actually needed to use your second shaft for the reason that the primary shaft failed?

 

[u12armresl]

Decades ago before the advent of super glue, the second or backup shaft was important, but eversince I started using super glue to install tips, I have never had a tip come off.

When was the last time that you actually needed to use your second shaft for the reason that the primary shaft failed?

Not because it failed.
I view it as you would another bowling ball, set of darts, putter.
Something isn't right at that moment and maybe switching out helps.

 

[fish2]

Not because it failed.
I view it as you would another bowling ball, set of darts, putter.
Something isn't right at that moment and maybe switching out helps.

Most of the time, second / back up shafts are identical, if something is not right, it is not the cue much less the shaft.....

 

[tomatoshooter]

It's nice to have for when your tip wears out. It seems like my tips shoot fine until they don't. It's like they quit on me. If you can replace your own tip and stay ahead of it, I guess it's unnecessary. Sometimes a wood shaft will break at the joint.

 

[Island Drive]

Decades ago before the advent of super glue, the second or backup shaft was important, but eversince I started using super glue to install tips, I have never had a tip come off.

When was the last time that you actually needed to use your second shaft for the reason that the primary shaft failed?

True, but what if you somehow miscue, or take a Chunk outta the tip side during a match, if your not a competitive player then one is fine.
Also, your able to wear down that expensive tip to its bottom before installing a new one, otherwise when your getting close to its end life you replace it, when it may have more play time.

 

[Cornerman]

In 1991, I was at the student union pool hall, and someone miscued on the break, hit my cue, which was leaning on the wall. My cue fell over, and the factory tip popped off. I had a the university tournament the following days. I was the defending champion. I had no way to get a new tip put on, and I had to borrow my friend’s. I didn’t win. I vowed that day that I would always have a spare shaft.

Today I have over a hundred shafts I have never had to pull a second shaft out during any playing (tournament or practice) due to a failure in the shaft or tip. But then again, nobody has ever miscued and hit my cue again either.

 

[lakeman77]

Break a shaft, use a house cue, go home, order another online. Back in biz 3 days. Chances are you have another cue at home anyway

 

[gregcantrall]

My experience is that no 2 shafts played identical. Even shafts made to the same specs. Different wooden shafts that is. Different grain and density/flex being variables.
Back in the days of the punkin cueball, I had 2 shafts. One for the natural cue ball and a slightly fatter/stiffer shaft for the punkin ball.
Cole Dixon taught me that Different flex was preferred for different games. For straight pool he wanted a stiff shaft for short precision shape. For 9 ball he wanted more flex in the shaft to move the ball long distance around the table. Kind of like the pole vaulter flex..

 

[RickLafayette]

Maybe I'm just OCD. I've never needed one but I've always carried a second playing shaft, as identical as possible to the playing shaft.

 

[Ken_4fun]

Lately, I have been playing with my RH sneaky pete. It only has 1 shaft, and I break and play with it.

I was at an old school pool hall, and I was playing with the owner (now passed). We started playing some cheap sets, and I broke out my break cue. He smiled and said, "League player".

He played with a 14mm shaft and it was biggest shaft I ever saw. Joe Blackburn made them for him. 1 shaft, and he broke and played with the same shaft. No backup, no second shaft.

Ken

 

[JPB2]

I have had new tips come off shortly after getting them. By that I mean on a new shaft. One by small custom maker. One production. Saw one come off recently at a tournament. I have never had it happen in a tournament to me. However, even for me a not particularly good player I like having two shafts. Between having one just in case and having an extra if you are getting one re-tipped I think it is good to have.

 

[philly]

Maybe I'm just OCD. I've never needed one but I've always carried a second playing shaft, as identical as possible to the playing shaft.

I have 4 identical shafts that I rotate every session.
Same tip, taper, length of taper, everything.
I go years without changing out a tip.
The only problem is that I have to change them all out at once.
No problem though.
I use hard pressed Triangles and have a guy that will do them while I wait.
Just call him a few days ahead and tell him to get the tips pressed.

 

[Zerksies]

I’ve always had a backup shaft. I’ve never had a tip ever fall off on me. I swap shafts every week. They are CF and are nearly identical, they might be 1/1000th off. I’ll still have a backup shaft just in case

 

[Gahtadreem]

I like having two shafts. I guess it just gives me a sense of security knowing that if something does happen I’ve got a backup. I have 2 with my Phillippi, one with 12.4 and one with 12.6. I play with the 12.4 and the 12.6 does play differently so I wouldn’t want to switch in the middle of a match unless I had to but it’s there if I needed to. I look at it like insurance. It’s better than having to play with a house cue. Having two shafts made for your butt minimizes any transition learning curve.

 

[Poolhall60561]

Ive been carrying an extra shaft for years. I’ve never used it but just in case I have It.
I have a lot of extra shafts. I always bought 2 shafts with each new cue and then when Revo came out, I needed a few of those.

 

[Pushout]

I have carried an extra shaft for years. I'm not afraid of the tip coming off as I am the shaft getting nicked. I currently have 3 shafts in my case and alternate them daily. There are people here who have scoffed at that but I could care less. I've been doing it longer that some people here have been playing.

 

[Fore Rail]

Have two Revo 12.9 shafts. Weight is within 1/10 of an ounce. While playing this year’s state tournament on concrete, my cue hit the floor & the tip went flying.

Played next match with other shaft & won 5-1. We don’t talk about what happened the next match and it wasn’t due to shaft fault.

Shit happens, have spare shafts that you trust.

 

[Gahtadreem]

Lately, I have been playing with my RH sneaky pete. It only has 1 shaft, and I break and play with it.

I was at an old school pool hall, and I was playing with the owner (now passed). We started playing some cheap sets, and I broke out my break cue. He smiled and said, "League player".

He played with a 14mm shaft and it was biggest shaft I ever saw. Joe Blackburn made them for him. 1 shaft, and he broke and played with the same shaft. No backup, no second shaft.

Ken

14mm! Wow! I know millimeters are small increments but I had a Josey sneaky that was 13mm and I thought that was big. Bet it crushed the breaks.

 

[Seaspook]

Sometimes my playing shaft…a Cynergy with a medium hard tip….gets the shanks. really though , my home table has slow felt and where I compete has 760…. and I need to slow down and get control of the ball. So I usually warm up with my maple SugarTree with a kamui soft.

Once I get the caffeine and morning meds under control…I switch to my Carbon.

 

[u12armresl]

Most of the time, second / back up shafts are identical, if something is not right, it is not the cue much less the shaft.....

Most of the time, second / back up shafts are identical, if something is not right, it is not the cue much less the shaft.....

Your opinion for sure.
Lots of people have different sized tapers, tips, weight to change something up in their game.