I've tried different combinations on my break cue and I switched to brown phenolic a year or so ago. I've been satisfied with the break power and I like it shaped almost flat to help keep it from putting english on the cue ball.
My break is fine, but my jumping ability has suffered. I can jump over balls easy enough, but I lost control using the phenolic ferrule without a tip. I used to jump well and the jump shot is important in 9 ball. I tried to think of a way to gain back the control on my jump shots and not lose breaking power.
I had some old SUMO (solid leather not layered) water buffalo tips and I thought about trying one on my phenolic ferrule to help get back control on my jump shots. I cut the phenolic ferrule/tip flat on my lathe and installed a SUMO tip and I cut the tip way down close to the ferrule and shaped it with a little curve on the edge only. This change did the trick. I didn't lose any break power and now I have some control on my jump shots again.
I thought i'd share this tip with anyone who might be interested because it's really worked well for me. SUMO water buffalo tips (they are pretty hard leather tips).
James
My break is fine, but my jumping ability has suffered. I can jump over balls easy enough, but I lost control using the phenolic ferrule without a tip. I used to jump well and the jump shot is important in 9 ball. I tried to think of a way to gain back the control on my jump shots and not lose breaking power.
I had some old SUMO (solid leather not layered) water buffalo tips and I thought about trying one on my phenolic ferrule to help get back control on my jump shots. I cut the phenolic ferrule/tip flat on my lathe and installed a SUMO tip and I cut the tip way down close to the ferrule and shaped it with a little curve on the edge only. This change did the trick. I didn't lose any break power and now I have some control on my jump shots again.
I thought i'd share this tip with anyone who might be interested because it's really worked well for me. SUMO water buffalo tips (they are pretty hard leather tips).
James