What cuemaker makes the best shafts?
- Thread starter FSutton
- Start date
deeper thoughts
This thread should ask a question like:
-The best shafts come from wood that is :
*cut at what time of year
* from what forests around the world
*processed how?- kiln or air dried
-
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We all know that every high end cue maker is looking for clean, tight straight grained wood to start with.
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-The other question everyone should ask is - why are these variables important and what aspect of the shaft they each effect.
This thread should ask a question like:
-The best shafts come from wood that is :
*cut at what time of year
* from what forests around the world
*processed how?- kiln or air dried
-
-
We all know that every high end cue maker is looking for clean, tight straight grained wood to start with.
-
-The other question everyone should ask is - why are these variables important and what aspect of the shaft they each effect.
old growth wood-
How about GINA- he has his shafts in barrels, Bill Stroud- knows how to make shafts. I think Yylr,gets shaftwood with Searing. The 1 and only pile of shaftwood I saw was 1800 pieces- It is much tougher to cut than people think. mich- cutting cookies-for birdseye. mark
How about GINA- he has his shafts in barrels, Bill Stroud- knows how to make shafts. I think Yylr,gets shaftwood with Searing. The 1 and only pile of shaftwood I saw was 1800 pieces- It is much tougher to cut than people think. mich- cutting cookies-for birdseye. mark
ugotactionTX said:
I'll nominate richard harris as having some of the nicest shaft wood that I've seen in a long while too. The BEM RH that I recently sold must have two of the best shaft wood that I've seen. Here's the pic:
Sht 1: has perfect tight straight grain from collar to tip. Both side of the shaft grain are perfectly equal..(first I'm seem like that). The shaft was cut perfectly to take advantag of the perfect straight grain. It's like a laminated shaft but naturally deflect all around.
Sht 2: has straight gain with curly that gleam under the light.
In addition, I will add that Skip Weston:
Pair of amazing shafts: Excellent taper, under the light..these shaft shine and glimmer like diamonds. It's the same on all of the shafts that I've seen that plays amazing.
Sht 1: Has perfect tight straight grain
Sht 2: Has tight curly straight grain
Here's 2 nice curly shafts that I've put together for my newly acquired Skip Jump Break:
Southwest: Known for their shaft wood and processing of shaft wood (especially shaft from Franklin era)
Sugar Tree: Has some of the best curly/ Fiddle back shaft that I've seem.
Joel Weinstock: One of the best shaft that I've played with...even better than RH, SW, Skip....it my holy grail of shaft...but probably has to do with the entire cue...everything is perfect on this one...grain is perfect from collar to ferrule and in addition it has the shine and glimmer under the light (I think some cue builder can it vertical grain...need a loup to check it out).
Don broos: Custom shafts on Miranda..just play sweet especially the one with ivory ferrule. I'm building a super tight grain curly shaft for this cue. The miranda cue just play deadly and it my 2nd cue in the my bag that I will use depending on game and condition.
I think many other cue builders who understand the quality of shafts and so they will all has some nice shaft wood (Great builders always have excellent shaft wood)...other all just miss and hit I think.
If you want your cue to play good...don't skimp on shaft quality. Believe it or not, I think there some amazing shaft wood on production cues...it's hit and miss but if you know what you're looking for..you might find a gem. I've picked a great shaft from ebay that belong to a falcon. Check it out:
Can't wait to get this shaft and tried it out on my weinstock. I need a curly shaft to complete the set. Will clean it up and if it straight and hit good...it will be in my bag.
Good Luck to all in finding your holy grail of shafts (I think you need one that straight grain and one with curly to complete the set).
Happy holidays,
Duc.
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It term of quality of wood, I think it based on what worked for the builders. As far as quality is concerned...I know that if it's has straight grain or straight grain with curly...it will hit good (Density is also a factor that helps...personally I like the shaft without insert to be close to 3.6 to 3.8 oz plus and shaft with insert to be around 4.0++ oz. Rarily have I came across a shaft that meet these criteria that play bad.
Also, Don Bross must have one of the sickness curly shaft available from an old dufferin sneeky. I saw a similar curly shaft from a DPK cue that look very similar. I ask to see if you can post the pic.
Subjective as it may be...the best way to test shaft is to play with them once they are finish to know if they are good shafts. When I get any shaft, I just installed a Molavia Hard on them and test them out. I'm been playing with the same tip for years so I like to keep my tips on them consistent to judge how the shafts will play for me. Taper of the shaft is probably subjective but I've found some tapers are better for me than other....as I long the taper doesn't hinder my stroke than I usually just keep them as is.
Let see some more pics of actual shafts...everybody talks about them but no one ever post pics of these great shafts from great makers. I know that I've run into some expensive cues that I question why they used a particular piece of shaft. Every builder is different and some don't have criteria that are assume to be great shaft. It may be that great shaft is a result of consisting process for all I know.
Comn' guys...more pics. Should us your best cue shafts..... please no pics of the one on you thought
.
Regards,
Duc.
Also, Don Bross must have one of the sickness curly shaft available from an old dufferin sneeky. I saw a similar curly shaft from a DPK cue that look very similar. I ask to see if you can post the pic.
Subjective as it may be...the best way to test shaft is to play with them once they are finish to know if they are good shafts. When I get any shaft, I just installed a Molavia Hard on them and test them out. I'm been playing with the same tip for years so I like to keep my tips on them consistent to judge how the shafts will play for me. Taper of the shaft is probably subjective but I've found some tapers are better for me than other....as I long the taper doesn't hinder my stroke than I usually just keep them as is.
Let see some more pics of actual shafts...everybody talks about them but no one ever post pics of these great shafts from great makers. I know that I've run into some expensive cues that I question why they used a particular piece of shaft. Every builder is different and some don't have criteria that are assume to be great shaft. It may be that great shaft is a result of consisting process for all I know.
Comn' guys...more pics. Should us your best cue shafts..... please no pics of the one on you thought
. Regards,
Duc.
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God makes a great shaft. He's known for growing his own shaft wood. ALL great shafts have come from God, so I'd talk to him.FSutton said:
Happy holidays to everyone!
Pete Tascarella...IMHO.
Mike
Mike
Mike Templeton said:
Oh Yeah,
Pete Tascarella definitely have some very very nice shafts on all of his cues. Consistency of shaft quality is probably the key to making a consistent playing cue (like schon for example). Sometime, I think the value of good shafts are under valued. Southwest charges $275 to $300 for their shaft (matched to SW)...wondering how much other builders are charging.
Duc.
mudball said:
I have to agree with this! I had Judd make me two shafts (13.00 MM, Elforyn ferrule) and they play great with a very good hit. The deflection is minimual and for 130.00 its a great buy!
I love my Keith Josey shafts.
I've always liked the hit of a Mike Webb cue and his shafts are very consistent from cue to cue.
i'm a little surprised that nobody mentioned mason. i have one and a friend of mine ordered one after trying mine. the taper really helps me keep track of how far i'm following through.
it's very satisfying hitting balls with it
it's very satisfying hitting balls with it
Dss51 said:
BMW Dan, good to hear from you....check your PM's
Cuemaster98....the Harris shaft wood is phenominal! Nice pics.
Mike Templeton said:
AGREED....AND WHEN PETE MAKES YOU A SHAFT FOR A CUE, THE SHAFT ACTUALLY FITS. NOT LIKE MOST OF THE OTHER MAKERS, WHERE THE SHAFTS JUST "KINDA FIT"
THERE ARE ALOT OF CUEMAKERS THAT HAVE GREAT SHAFT WOOD..... JUST MAKE SURE THAT THE CUEMAKER YOU CHOOSE, KNOWS WHAT YOUR LOOKING FOR. SOME GUYS WANT BLEACHY WHITE SHAFTS, AND SOME GUYS WANT PLAYERS SHAFTS, BE SURE TO LET THE CUEMAKER KNOW.
Best Shafts
Gina Cue , Ed Prewitt , John Showman , Pete Omen , Cognescenti ,
Bob Runde , Tim Scruggs ...These are a few , I ve had cues from all of these EXCEPT Cog, BUT HAVE HEARD HE IS VERY PARTICULAR "
Gina Cue , Ed Prewitt , John Showman , Pete Omen , Cognescenti ,
Bob Runde , Tim Scruggs ...These are a few , I ve had cues from all of these EXCEPT Cog, BUT HAVE HEARD HE IS VERY PARTICULAR "