The X-Breaker break cue
- Thread starter matthew staton
- Start date
Which one ...
FM ... Which one did you get? I am anxious to see the
new ones coming out with different and no wraps they
are making. I don't care for the mostly white wraps on
the natural and flaming ones, and think a different color
would make them look classier. Personally, right now,
I like the flaming only with a Walnut with white spec wrap
or the right color of brown lizard wrap.
FastMikie said:
FM ... Which one did you get? I am anxious to see the
new ones coming out with different and no wraps they
are making. I don't care for the mostly white wraps on
the natural and flaming ones, and think a different color
would make them look classier. Personally, right now,
I like the flaming only with a Walnut with white spec wrap
or the right color of brown lizard wrap.
I was reading in the ask a cue-maker section that a break cue should be low deflection and a jump cue should have high deflection. Therefore a break jump cue cannot possible give you the best of both worlds. What do you guys think about that statement? Do you really need high deflection to jump or just a hard tip?
nipponbilliards said:I am working on it and your cue is right on schedule.Thank you very much.
Please let me know how you like it.
Thank you.
Richard
Thanks Richard, reading all these enthusiastic comments makes me very happy. I really can't wait for my Classic maple X-breaker, just e-mail me when it's ready (it should almost be, right
?).Tom
I've been trying out the X-breaker for about a week. (I also have a purple heart stnger.) Both 18oz. Its much easier jumping w/ the X-breaker but the break is a very soft hit. And the cue bends very easily.. which could be a good thing for some players. If I could have the jumping ability of an X breaker and the breaking power of the stnger, then it would be the perfect jump/break cue for me. Even though the X breaker have a soft hit, it has alot of speed!! (But not as much power..grrr..) The flaming red is very pretty.. definitely stands out. I've gotten many compliments. just my .02.
For those who are getting the X breaker, enjoy!
For those who are getting the X breaker, enjoy!
nipponbilliards said:
That's cool. Perhaps you might want to simply edit the title of the video to call it something like "Larry Nevel's 1mm Jump shot (Shaft Only)" so there's no danger of mis-interpretation. I'd also like to see vidoes of a Pro shooting a set of standard jump shots to demonstrate the closest practical jump shot a player can hope to achieve if they practice with it. (1 cube of chalk sounds about right)
FastMikie said:
How does the shaft taper of the X compare with the BK? I have a BK with a 12.5mm shaft that I've used for 3 years and have don't like the feel of "fatter" tapered shafts like that on the Sledgehammer, even though the tip diameter is only 12.75mm.
Shelley ...
SL ... You say the XBreaker has a lot of speed, but not as much power
would indicate to me you are not being accurate in your breaks with
the XBreaker. If it is speedy, it should have more power. And how can
a tip harder than phenolic have a soft hit?
Shelly Li said:
SL ... You say the XBreaker has a lot of speed, but not as much power
would indicate to me you are not being accurate in your breaks with
the XBreaker. If it is speedy, it should have more power. And how can
a tip harder than phenolic have a soft hit?
Snapshot9 said:
Hi, I can't explain!! I'm breaking as hard as I can and the rack explodes differently than the stnger. The tip is really hard.. but no matter how hard I break w/ the xbreaker, it's just really soft. (When I break softer, the feel of the hit still remains the same..) Sorta like the cue is absorbing the impact. But even though its not a loud explosion, the balls are going all over the place. Does this make any sense? Maybe because I've only been using the cue for a week and still trying to get use to it. But one thing that's weird is the cue ball lands almost dead center of the table 80% of the time after I break. Which the stnger, I would have to be a little more controlled. And amazingly, the cue ball haven't flew off the table once w/ the xbreaker. Maybe you're right, I'm not breaking accurately....
First let me say, that based on what I'm hearing about the X-Breaker cue, that I may pick one up instead of waiting for the new Predator BK2 cue.
But my question is, since I only play league pool (and for fun), and since most of the pool establishments (and friend's pool tables) I play on don't allow you to jump balls (cause they're trying to save their table's cloth) ,and considering I don't jump balls, I was wondering if a two piece break cue would break better than a three-piece J/B cue.
My thinking is that a cue that connects/assembles at one joint "only", would give you a better break than a cue that connects at two places, because you'd have a more solid cue.
I'm not sure if the makers of the X-Breaker would make a break only cue, but if they did, would it be of any benefit to order the X-Breaker as just a 2 piece break cue instead of having a 3 piece J/B cue? Or would the break be the same?
Also, I tend to use a little english when I break, which is why I liked the Predator BK cue. So since the X-Breaker claims to hold chalk, does that mean you can get away with using a little english with this cue?
But my question is, since I only play league pool (and for fun), and since most of the pool establishments (and friend's pool tables) I play on don't allow you to jump balls (cause they're trying to save their table's cloth) ,and considering I don't jump balls, I was wondering if a two piece break cue would break better than a three-piece J/B cue.
My thinking is that a cue that connects/assembles at one joint "only", would give you a better break than a cue that connects at two places, because you'd have a more solid cue.
I'm not sure if the makers of the X-Breaker would make a break only cue, but if they did, would it be of any benefit to order the X-Breaker as just a 2 piece break cue instead of having a 3 piece J/B cue? Or would the break be the same?
Also, I tend to use a little english when I break, which is why I liked the Predator BK cue. So since the X-Breaker claims to hold chalk, does that mean you can get away with using a little english with this cue?
Snapshot9 said:
Thanks ss9 .i see what u are saying ..
thanks ..
One More reason, Deadstroke32...
Here's one more reason you may want to consider the xbreaker....CONTROL!
I was fortunate to have been at the US Open this year and I spent quite a bit of time at the xbreaker booth. Before I begin, you should know I play with a SledgeHammer, which I'm very happy with. With that said, if I was in the market to buy a jump/break cue in the $350 range, after the time I spent jumping, breaking, and using the xbreaker as a playing cue as a test, I can honestly say I would buy the xbreaker over all the rest. Why? Not only does it break & jump well, that sucker feels like you have total control of the cueball. Almost like playing with your own playing tip. It seems to grip the ball and has less deflection, yet provides all the power you would ever need in a jump/break situation. It's a great break cue that allows you to "feel" and control the cue ball.
Just thought you'ld like to hear an unbiased opinion from someone who's happy with their current j/b cue. And yes, I saw Larry Nevel make that jump shot many times with just the shaft.
Dave
Snapshot9 said:
Here's one more reason you may want to consider the xbreaker....CONTROL!
I was fortunate to have been at the US Open this year and I spent quite a bit of time at the xbreaker booth. Before I begin, you should know I play with a SledgeHammer, which I'm very happy with. With that said, if I was in the market to buy a jump/break cue in the $350 range, after the time I spent jumping, breaking, and using the xbreaker as a playing cue as a test, I can honestly say I would buy the xbreaker over all the rest. Why? Not only does it break & jump well, that sucker feels like you have total control of the cueball. Almost like playing with your own playing tip. It seems to grip the ball and has less deflection, yet provides all the power you would ever need in a jump/break situation. It's a great break cue that allows you to "feel" and control the cue ball.
Just thought you'ld like to hear an unbiased opinion from someone who's happy with their current j/b cue. And yes, I saw Larry Nevel make that jump shot many times with just the shaft.
Dave
Ilove2playpool said:
There is a clip on www.xtremebilliard.com where Larry Nevel draws the cue balls table length and more.
I got the reddish color, with the light wrap.Snapshot9 said:
Not the best looking cue,
I would have preferred the black, (they were out)
but it gets the job done!
I got it from beadandbilliards.com for a decent discount off list.
They were easy to deal with.
Here's what Richard Chan, from Xtreme Billiard Concepts (the makers of the X-Breaker) emailed me today (November 10, 2005), in reply to my questions.:
Dear Ed,
Thank you for your questions. First I need to let you know that I am in the WPBA National now until Sunday, so I may not be able to reply prompty.
We do not build a two piece breaking cue, for $350, we believe a jump break offers more value to the customers. For a BK at $300+ a customer will still need to get a jump cue, and the X Breaker is better in both the jumping and breaking departments.
You are right, a lot of cues with a jump joint will not hit as solid. We have really tried to address this issue. Very often, the jump joint will make the cue hit "funny" because of the balance.
Having said that, some cues such as the Andy Gilbert J/B is a very good j/b and a playing cue, we believe, from our research, that it is because of the balance.
Our X Breakers are balanced at 19" from the butt one at a time, and we do not use a flat face joint. We find that a piloted joint offers better transmittion of energy.
Larry Nevel can draw the ball table length and back to the center with the X breaker, there is no problem with applying English. Our cue hits a lot more quiet than any phenolic tip, and it offers better feedback.
I hope this answer your questions.
I will be looking forward to hearing from you.
Thank you very much.
Regards,
Richard Chan
www.xtremebilliard.com
Dear Ed,
Thank you for your questions. First I need to let you know that I am in the WPBA National now until Sunday, so I may not be able to reply prompty.
We do not build a two piece breaking cue, for $350, we believe a jump break offers more value to the customers. For a BK at $300+ a customer will still need to get a jump cue, and the X Breaker is better in both the jumping and breaking departments.
You are right, a lot of cues with a jump joint will not hit as solid. We have really tried to address this issue. Very often, the jump joint will make the cue hit "funny" because of the balance.
Having said that, some cues such as the Andy Gilbert J/B is a very good j/b and a playing cue, we believe, from our research, that it is because of the balance.
Our X Breakers are balanced at 19" from the butt one at a time, and we do not use a flat face joint. We find that a piloted joint offers better transmittion of energy.
Larry Nevel can draw the ball table length and back to the center with the X breaker, there is no problem with applying English. Our cue hits a lot more quiet than any phenolic tip, and it offers better feedback.
I hope this answer your questions.
I will be looking forward to hearing from you.
Thank you very much.
Regards,
Richard Chan
www.xtremebilliard.com
Dave ...
I appreciate your comments and feedback about the Xbreaker. I have been
researching it for some time, and asked Richard many questions about it,
including the parabolic taper on it. I would appreciate some feedback about
how the taper feels on it when breaking? Does it feel 'fat'? I played in a
tournament recently where 2 or 3 good players were breaking with a
BK (one was better than I am), and I watched their breaks, and they did
not get that good of breaks (I have also tried it for myself before, and was
not really impressed with it). Another player, about my speed was using
a J&J Break/Jump (I thought orignally was a custom Shurtz B/J until he told
me different), and he was getting good breaks. Well, recently I was on Ebay
out of curiousity, and I happened to win an auction for a J&J Break/Jump 4
pointer, Palmwood forearm, phenolic tip, for $27.00 (now who could pass that
up!). I have yet to break with it though (Just got it 2-3 days ago, and
was pleasantly surprised with looks and quality of it). The reason it peaked
my interest is because this other guy with one, I play all the time in tournaments and for money, and his jump shots have been in the outstanding
plateau for some months now. I had already decided that I was going to
get an Xbreaker, but I am on disability, and will take some time to save for
it, especially with Xmas around the corner. I like the Flaming one, but I want
a different wrap like I said before.
Please also address 'Shelly Li' comments about the Xbreaker hit being softer
than her Stinger is. She said it was speedy, but not as powerful as the Stinger on the break, but said she was really looking forward to jumping with
it. Her comments said contradictory to me.
12squared said:
I appreciate your comments and feedback about the Xbreaker. I have been
researching it for some time, and asked Richard many questions about it,
including the parabolic taper on it. I would appreciate some feedback about
how the taper feels on it when breaking? Does it feel 'fat'? I played in a
tournament recently where 2 or 3 good players were breaking with a
BK (one was better than I am), and I watched their breaks, and they did
not get that good of breaks (I have also tried it for myself before, and was
not really impressed with it). Another player, about my speed was using
a J&J Break/Jump (I thought orignally was a custom Shurtz B/J until he told
me different), and he was getting good breaks. Well, recently I was on Ebay
out of curiousity, and I happened to win an auction for a J&J Break/Jump 4
pointer, Palmwood forearm, phenolic tip, for $27.00 (now who could pass that
up!). I have yet to break with it though (Just got it 2-3 days ago, and
was pleasantly surprised with looks and quality of it). The reason it peaked
my interest is because this other guy with one, I play all the time in tournaments and for money, and his jump shots have been in the outstanding
plateau for some months now. I had already decided that I was going to
get an Xbreaker, but I am on disability, and will take some time to save for
it, especially with Xmas around the corner. I like the Flaming one, but I want
a different wrap like I said before.
Please also address 'Shelly Li' comments about the Xbreaker hit being softer
than her Stinger is. She said it was speedy, but not as powerful as the Stinger on the break, but said she was really looking forward to jumping with
it. Her comments said contradictory to me.
Scott! As one who had an early X-Breaker, I can say that all the hype is well deserved. I believe that Richard, along with his R&D folks, have really hit upon a superior formula with the X-Breaker. As I wrote earlier, an many have agreed, power and control are inproved over ALL other options. You stated, "Please also address 'Shelly Li' comments about the Xbreaker hit being softer than her Stinger is. She said it was speedy, but not as powerful as the Stinger on the break, but said she was really looking forward to jumping with
it. Her comments said contradictory to me.".
I have a B/J with a phenolic tip and the g-10 ferrule. It'll smack the pee-pee out of the ball, and I say 'smack' with every intention of the word: it truly feels and sounds like a board hitting water. The X-Breaker feels and sounds like a normal cue, especially after a bit of use. The kicker tho- you get WAY more speed than with a normal tip, and equal or more than a phenolic (I say equal or more, but I believe that the XBreaker gives a slight% more).
And jumping? Crazy easy with the X-Breaker, just plain old easy with phenolic. I can jump a ball away with a phenolic, and about a chalk away w/ the X-Breaker.
Would I buy one? Hellz yes! I wouldm't bat an eye at the $300+ cost. Unless you lose it, snap it in half or it gets stolen, it is a 1x purchase. Why don't I have one then? I am lucky enough to have an equipment sponsor already who is more than generous toward me and I won't betray that.
Well, I think that is my longest post ever, but it is something that I feel strongly about.
it. Her comments said contradictory to me.".
I have a B/J with a phenolic tip and the g-10 ferrule. It'll smack the pee-pee out of the ball, and I say 'smack' with every intention of the word: it truly feels and sounds like a board hitting water. The X-Breaker feels and sounds like a normal cue, especially after a bit of use. The kicker tho- you get WAY more speed than with a normal tip, and equal or more than a phenolic (I say equal or more, but I believe that the XBreaker gives a slight% more).
And jumping? Crazy easy with the X-Breaker, just plain old easy with phenolic. I can jump a ball away with a phenolic, and about a chalk away w/ the X-Breaker.
Would I buy one? Hellz yes! I wouldm't bat an eye at the $300+ cost. Unless you lose it, snap it in half or it gets stolen, it is a 1x purchase. Why don't I have one then? I am lucky enough to have an equipment sponsor already who is more than generous toward me and I won't betray that.
Well, I think that is my longest post ever, but it is something that I feel strongly about.
I ordered my X-Breaker maple wrapless a week or two ago and will receive it on Saturday. I will probably post a detailed review on Sunday once I have tried it out. I can't wait.
If it gives me an edge then it gives me an edge. I like to use quality equipment when I play. Maybe you don't know quality equipment when it is available.
Maybe you don't know quality equipment when it is available.
Tanner ...
I was just teasing ya, every Pool player likes to have an 'edge' if they can.
NO, I believe I am a good judge of equipment, and I plan on getting an
XBreaker myself, but at this point in my life (not working full time), I can
not always afford the equipment at the time I want it ...
If I was still working, I have no doubts that I would be a cue collector
by now ...
TannerPruess said:If it gives me an edge then it gives me an edge. I like to use quality equipment when I play.
I was just teasing ya, every Pool player likes to have an 'edge' if they can.
NO, I believe I am a good judge of equipment, and I plan on getting an
XBreaker myself, but at this point in my life (not working full time), I can
not always afford the equipment at the time I want it ...
If I was still working, I have no doubts that I would be a cue collector
by now ...