What is the benefit of a phenolic joint?

[alstl]

I notice a lot of flat faced cues use phenolic instead of a wood to wood joint. What is the benefit of phenolic?

 

[deadstroke32]

I notice a lot of flat faced cues use phenolic instead of a wood to wood joint. What is the benefit of phenolic?

I makes for a tighter fit ..and will not strip out over time..varney put one on me tiger staft it's nice ..

 

[Gregg]

I notice a lot of flat faced cues use phenolic instead of a wood to wood joint. What is the benefit of phenolic?

Lots of debate as to the "feel", if any, and or the strength of the joint differences.

Personally, I wouldn't touch this topic with a ten foot pole.

 

[Craig Fales]

Are you talking about a joint collar or phenolic in the shaft....
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[alstl]

Are you talking about a joint collar or phenolic in the shaft....

You can address both if you like, I'm just wondering why they don't use wood. I assume there must be a good reason because I see a lot of phenolic.

 

[Craig Fales]

I don't know what the stink would be with a phenolic collar, if it's a flat faced joint like 3/8 x 10 pinned cues have with the wood directly drilled and tapped in the shaft, that's for increasing the feel of a cue...if there is wood between the collar and pin that is...

If someone bores out the end of the shaft and then puts a core of phenolic in there for the purpose of strength I think it's a complete waste of time...IMHO

How many shafts have stripped that are not the result of abuse or stupidity....the flat faced 3/8 x 10 joint is the only one I use BTW.....
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[JoeyInCali]

You can address both if you like, I'm just wondering why they don't use wood. I assume there must be a good reason because I see a lot of phenolic.

Wood swells, shrinks and splits.
By having a phenolic collar, you eliminate or reduce those factors from happening.
Best collar is hard staghorn imo. Reasonates like hard wood. Costs a lot more to make than linen phenolic though.
As far as inserts, I highly doubt anyone could tell there is an insert in there.
Be it brass, nylon, Delrin or any plastic. As long as you have good collars, I doubt if the insert has any affect on the feel of the cue at all. The cueball wouldn't know for sure.