What differences are there in the JFlowers’ $200, $250 and $400 carbon-fiber shafts?
- Thread starter Paul_#_
- Start date
JFlowers sells three models of carbon fiber shafts. This is unusual since most companies sell only one model and that model likely remains unchanged for years (Cynergy and --- pretty much --- Revo).
billiards_watch
Well-known member
That’s the question we’re all trying to ask.
Some Pro Players are still using Wood, guess Wood Still Work?
Know one local Pro living in PHX did a clinic last Mother's Day, one of the persons at clinic ask, about the guy using Wood Shaft. Pro responded, he tried Carbon, but went back to Wood. NUFF Said.
Know one local Pro living in PHX did a clinic last Mother's Day, one of the persons at clinic ask, about the guy using Wood Shaft. Pro responded, he tried Carbon, but went back to Wood. NUFF Said.
Flakeandrun
Well-known member
Differences minimal. 200$ worth? Of course not. Agree with cowboy. Throw your money away if you got it and you want to harvest unspecific 'technology'
JFlowers' $400 shaft may have the lowest deflection of ANY cue shafts and, therefore, should sell for more than JFlowers' cheaper shafts.
This lower deflection may only be a few millimeters from that of the Revo. That is what the test that is on YouTube contends.
This seems possible. JFlowers has put some effort into improving the carbon fiber shaft. Its latest effort with S.M.O. was designed with consulation from professionals (Strickland, Morris, Ocholo). The S.M.O., too, is interesting compared to JFlowers cheaper models and any other carbon-fiber shafts in that the S.M.O. is a weight-adjustable shaft like that found in butts (an allen wrench and a weight come with the shaft to place in the shaft).
It seems reasonable that a cue maker sometime, somewhere could duplicate Revo. Revos have been out for years---reverse engineer it. Revos, however, are manufactured in the U.S. and not China. Unlike some other products, the Chinese did not actually manufacture Revos. Nonethelesss, can't someone else make a slow-deflection shaft like Revo after the many years the Revos have been out? I would think so and maybe JFlowers that did it.
This lower deflection may only be a few millimeters from that of the Revo. That is what the test that is on YouTube contends.
This seems possible. JFlowers has put some effort into improving the carbon fiber shaft. Its latest effort with S.M.O. was designed with consulation from professionals (Strickland, Morris, Ocholo). The S.M.O., too, is interesting compared to JFlowers cheaper models and any other carbon-fiber shafts in that the S.M.O. is a weight-adjustable shaft like that found in butts (an allen wrench and a weight come with the shaft to place in the shaft).
It seems reasonable that a cue maker sometime, somewhere could duplicate Revo. Revos have been out for years---reverse engineer it. Revos, however, are manufactured in the U.S. and not China. Unlike some other products, the Chinese did not actually manufacture Revos. Nonethelesss, can't someone else make a slow-deflection shaft like Revo after the many years the Revos have been out? I would think so and maybe JFlowers that did it.
Last edited:
aw shucks, well one local pro ( un named ,not real) did it
we should all do it dang it
if you really wanna know, buy em and try it
as easy as that
tire kicking inquires dont do much for the forum
Didn't you already make a few threads about this? 
Just get the most expensive one.
Just get the most expensive one.
Guy sounds like Sharivari.
How are they different? I don’t understand the question. You literally repeated what they have in the ad, which highlights the differences.
Does the ad really tell you anything about the differences?
What does carbon graphite Areo grade A, AA and AAA mean? Nearly zero to me.
Ringwork? OK maybe that explains $50 worth.
Deflection? Okay but are there really $200 differences in deflection? Or is it just the same really good shaft but crippled twice with extra weight near cue tip to make $200 and $250 shafts?
Does technology standard, advanced and next generation mean anything? Nothing specific to me.
One difference the ad did not mention was that the S.M.O. shaft is unique among all shafts in that its weight can be adjusted with an allen wrench and a weight.
I asked because AZBilliards can sometimes answer simple questions brilliantly instead of me having to rely on company hype.
I highly doubt anyone on here has 2 of the 3, let alone all 3. It’s not like Predator where tons of members had every single offering since 1995.
You’d have to buy all 3 and compare. No other way around it.
You’d have to buy all 3 and compare. No other way around it.
Just how the fk does that drivel answer the op's question?????????????????????????? Based on only the manuf. bs you're paying for a better tip and some ringwork. Seriously doubt there's much diff in the CF itself. Just your basic 'upsell the idiots' salesman talk.
An AZer told me this:
The following reviews were posted on JFlowers https://jflowerscues.com/product/s-m-o-carbon-fiber-shaft/ . Click on "64 Reviews"
I got SMO shaft and if you care just about the deflection this shaft is REALLY good in this regards. On the other hand the shaft is considerably lighter (0.3-0.4oz) than what other CF shafts usually weight so it messes to certain extent with the balance of the cue, also the feedback is not all that pleasant and full though its not REVO-level of unpleasantness but still it is something to consider.
FYI there are several grades of cf threads with different properties and of course different prices. Also there are literally hundreds of ways how the thread is woven into a shape of shaft so the reasearch and development can be VERY expensive if you want to create a really great product. Hence the price difference between the shafts JFlowers offers, their cheaper shafts have considerably higher deflection.
FYI there are several grades of cf threads with different properties and of course different prices. Also there are literally hundreds of ways how the thread is woven into a shape of shaft so the reasearch and development can be VERY expensive if you want to create a really great product. Hence the price difference between the shafts JFlowers offers, their cheaper shafts have considerably higher deflection.
The following reviews were posted on JFlowers https://jflowerscues.com/product/s-m-o-carbon-fiber-shaft/ . Click on "64 Reviews"
--- There’s a weight bolt inside the shaft but it can’t be adjusted as Jflower don’t supply different weight bolts for this adjustment.
--- It is the only shaft so far with a weight bolt so of course I used it and the adjustments can make it feel like a totally different cue. Best bang for the buck!
--- I like this shaft a lot, probably as much as my 12.9 Revo – it plays very similar to my Predator 12.9 revo. The deflection tests i performed with the SMO were surprisingly good even on a 10 foot table. I also like the tip that came on the SMO shaft thou I use a soft tip normally. Great job on a great product – the carbon fiber is not as clean as the predator shaft but a person needs a magnifying glass to look closely – Stay tuned for our positive review of this shaft on the return of SNAP Magazine returning in July 2025. Excellent Product – far superior to any of the cheaper CF shafts such as Raven, Bull and others. I see you now make a 11.8 diameter shaft, I will be ordering one of those SMO shafts soon for testing. I will be using my new SMO in competition and using my Revolution as my back up.
--- I bought this shaft after hearing about its low deflection assumed best in the market. I tried and seems it’s true and at last equal to predator revo 12.4 that I used before. Taper is different because SMO is pro taper (cilindrical in the foremost part) and revo not (it’s conical) but i think pro taper it’s more comfortable.
---J Just AMAZING Shaft and a very big step forward for any player who using normal low deflection shafts , its really very low deflection , Balanced, steady , great power and high responsiveness ,very soft and nicely slimmed down to the Tip like LADY , plus the gorgeous silver hoops in the white ferrule & collar. I just wish if they work on improving the sound but it’s fine no annoying sounds,
--- Ordered two SMO shafts and one started losing the black ringwork right below the ferrule after a couple nights of play (I’m sure it was a simple material flaw). Messaged JFlowers and they sent me a new one now questions asked. Awesome customer service and absolutely no issues with the other two shafts. They play great and I love the long taper. Definitely a competitor to my teammates revo, cynergy and defy. I prefer my SMO, especially at its price point
--- I have used the SMO shaft for a while now and it’s my go-to shaft. My backup is a 12.4 revo. Both shafts are very low deflection, but the SMO has a taper (long protaper) that suits me better. I have mixed feelings about the Fusion tip. In some instances, it feels stiffer (harder) than others. But it always seems to work and hasn’t let me down.
--- Amazing preformance, extremly low deflection, nice low pitch sound, not stiff and a nice looking shaft with a thic white ferrule and the silver inlay work is fantastic!
In response to a question JFlowers wrote on September 20, 2024 that the SMO shaft is not weight adjustable JFlowers answered at https://jflowerscues.com/product/s-m-o-carbon-fiber-shaft/#cr_qna and click on 48 Answered Questions :The S.M.O. only comes in 3.4 ounces now and the weight is not adjustable.
Are you telling us or asking? Hard to tell which because the photo you have in your post describes the differences, which would answer your question.
I have played with the SMO and liked it, very low deflection and good hit feel for a CF shaft.
Basically, look at the deflection and pick which one you want from there.
I have played with the SMO and liked it, very low deflection and good hit feel for a CF shaft.
Basically, look at the deflection and pick which one you want from there.
They don't, especially the Cynergy. The Cynergy is about a mid-level for deflection, about what a 314 shaft is. SMO, Revo, Z3 are nearly equal at the top of the LD range.
It would be great to see an actual comparison using a robot and all the shafts. Thats the only way to know for sure.
In a video probably done by JFlowers, there is that comparison of robot testing Revo, Cynergy, Mezz Ignite, SMO, and maple. Apparently the robot hits the balls very fast.