What is the difference between phenolic and leather break tips?

[Lou Bones]

It seems like a lot of production cues put phenolic tips on break cues. I use my old playing cue as my break cue and, though I have used several friends' break cues on occassion, I don't have a clue if I've ever tried a phenolic tip before. Now, as I am beginning to consider buying a dedicated break cue, I'm wondering what the difference is, in terms of playability, between phenolic tips and layered leather tips (like Samsara).

 

[cueman]

The Phenolic is rock hard, but gives very little cue ball control for breaking. They are a better jump tip than break tip.
I like the single layered super hard leather Mad Man Jump-Break tips myself.
They are about as hard of treated leather as you can find and since they are single layered they do not have the delaminating or gluing problems.
You can find them at www.cuesmith.com

 

[manwon]

It seems like a lot of production cues put phenolic tips on break cues. I use my old playing cue as my break cue and, though I have used several friends' break cues on occassion, I don't have a clue if I've ever tried a phenolic tip before. Now, as I am beginning to consider buying a dedicated break cue, I'm wondering what the difference is, in terms of playability, between phenolic tips and layered leather tips (like Samsara).

Phenolic tips if installed correctly using quality materials will last the life of your dedicated break / jump cue. These tips need little maintenance, and depending upon your stroke you may never need to chalk it, scuffing it up a little is all it takes depending upon the player.

For jumping balls there is really nothing that works better, for some people breaking also works great with practice. Because of the hardness of phenolic it is very important to never hit the cue ball above center when breaking. Players who do not pay attention to this frequently will jump the cue ball off the table.

For me I prefer a leather tip for breaking, and a phenolic tip for jumping balls. I have never mastered the necessary control needed to both break well and control my cue ball using a phenolic tip.

 

[Jude Rosenstock]

I actually took the phenolic tip off my break cue recently. I know there are many people out there that might not agree with this but I'm just much more comfortable with leather tips. For one, if I'm closer than 1 foot from the ball I'm jumping over, I'm probably not going to want to jump. Second, I just know what to expect from a leather tip. I was miscuing with the phenolic enough that it was in my head and I just couldn't trust it anymore.

I'm sure there are plenty of people out there that love phenolic. Unfortunately, I'm just not one of them.

 

[Ghosst]

I use my Samsara for both breaking and jumping. I have much more control with it than the phenolic.

 

[Bob Jewett]

If you run into a situation where the WSR equipment regulations are applied it's better to have leather because phenolic is illegal.

 

[Blue Hog ridr]

Not long ago in a land not so far away, people used to think that phenolic tips were the next best thing since sliced bread.

With the many choices you have these days for leather break tips,
you'd be half crazy to choose a phenolic tip over leather.

I prefer to have a little feel and cue ball control using leather.

 

[Scott Lee]

I'm with Jude on this one. I prefer leather all the way around. To me, phenolic tips sound like fingernails on a blackboard. If you break hitting perfect center they may not miscue, but if you're off by a few millimeters, the phenolic tips can easily miscue, imo.

Scott Lee
http://poolknowledge.com

I actually took the phenolic tip off my break cue recently. I know there are many people out there that might not agree with this but I'm just much more comfortable with leather tips. For one, if I'm closer than 1 foot from the ball I'm jumping over, I'm probably not going to want to jump. Second, I just know what to expect from a leather tip. I was miscuing with the phenolic enough that it was in my head and I just couldn't trust it anymore.

I'm sure there are plenty of people out there that love phenolic. Unfortunately, I'm just not one of them.

 

[Lou Bones]

Thanks everybody. It seems I'm not missing a thing when it comes to never having tried a phenolic tip. When I get my break cue, I'll stick with leather tips, most lilkely Samsara.
Thanks again for all your comments.

 

[Jude Rosenstock]

Not long ago in a land not so far away, people used to think that phenolic tips were the next best thing since sliced bread.

With the many choices you have these days for leather break tips,
you'd be half crazy to choose a phenolic tip over leather.

I prefer to have a little feel and cue ball control using leather.

That and, I think the advantage to a phenolic tip is how the cue jumps. I break far more often than I jump (hopefully, it stays that way). I know some people say there's more speed to be had with phenolic tips. I clocked my break with and without and consistently fell into a range of 23-27 mph. I found mechanics were a far greater variable than tip. Regardless, I only break that hard when playing barbox 8ball. My 9ball break is hard-controlled. Maybe if I decide to start carrying a dedicated jump-cue, I'll reconsider. Since that plan falls around 1,462nd on my list, I don't see it happening any time soon.