What is the advantage of a layered tip?

[youngstownkid]

Last night, I found out that Shave Van Boening uses a Triangle tip, which really surprised me. Seemed a little like when Tiger first starting using Nike golf balls. The best players in the word don't always play with the best equipment. Then again, at least Tiger had a few million reasons to switch away from Titleist...lol

I felt like when I switched to a layered tip, I stopping miscueing so much. I guess I should add, that besides miscuing, and mushrooming which was covered, i think it's also generally agreed that the layered tips last longer, in some cases much longer (Kamui, especially if you have their tip tool). Since i brought up Kamui, I need to mention this - their tip has so many layers and sticks out so far on the cue, that you can atually hit further out from center on the cue ball in turn applying more spin (kind of a novelty tho). When i first got mine i loved how I was able to do things I couldn't previously do. I ended up getting some of the layers cut off, and do miss having that ability...

 

[Cuemaster98]

Advantage of Premium Molavia layered tip to a Solid tip:

1) Better consistency of the hit (same hit from all area)
2) Higher consistency in getting same hit when replacing tip.
3) Hold chalk much better
4) Feel and sound of the hit is more solid and distinctive
5) Less impact from changes in humidity (better elasticity and longevity)
6) Last longer with less maintenance
7) Easier to install (Manual or through a lathe) and cut a lot cleaner
8) Higher grade quality leather used in tip (defined process for selecting and process the leather with high quality control...as every is handmade)

I've used the Moori MH every since it came out and love it, then out it was out of production, I switch over to Molavia H as it has very similar playability and characteristic that I liked. Worked with Molavia for years to make the Molavia better through custom adjustments in NM pressure used to create the similar hit and feel of the old Moori that I was accustomed to. Tried the milk dub and it was also a good tip but liked the playability of Molavia better. I've been using the Molavia Hard for over 5 years now and had one on my cue for almost 3 years before I replaced with another Molavia hard.

I've tried all the new tips on the market and right now the only other tip that I liked beside the Molavia and Old Moori is the new Hirano tip. Installed a hard and it played very similar my Molavia hard, the feel and hit was there. The quality of the tip shows before you even installed it. Like the Molavia the installed is very easy compared to the other layered tips which seem to suck in glue so had to be prime first.

Bottom line is that tip's playability are subjective and may even depends on your style of play, it could be the best tip in the world and someone would just prefer to use the solid tips (le pro, triangle, etc.). I have people switch from all kinds of tips to Molavia and swear by it and I have other that have tried it and said it wasn't for them so they when back to their Kamui, Moori, Milk dub, triangle, etc. I would highly suggestion testing them out for yourself and if you think they play better and helps your game (and it will help your game) than use it. Once you find what you like, stick with it until you find something better.

In some cases, some of the players love the tip but couldn't justify paying 30.00 installed for them because they're used to replacing their tip every 2 months. I tell them that once a Molavia is installed and shaved to your curvature....you should not have to touch it for the next 3-6 months. Just add a thicker layer of chalk when you start playing and let the chalk sink in by hitting a few racks. You should not have to replace a layered tip for a least 1-2 years IMO. I played a lot of pool with my cue for 3 years and didn't have to replace my hard until just recently.

$30.00 for one year is like spending $5.00 every two months, or if you used it for 3 years like me, it would only be $1.66 every 2 months. So if you compare this to having a repair guy replacing a triangle for say $10.00 every 2 months, it would like $60.00 over the year to maintain your tip vs a very good quality layered that would have costs you only $30.00 a year to maintain. Everyone is different, so you have to determine if a Layer is worth it for your based on your usage. Good luck with finding your next holy grail tip and cue.

Regards,
Duc.