What makes a good shaft?

[PoolBum]

I recently acquired a new cue from a top cuemaker, and I'm just wondering--what makes for a good shaft?

In particular, I'm wondering what one can look for in the wood itself to see if it is good shaft material?

 

[LastTwo]

I recently acquired a new cue from a top cuemaker, and I'm just wondering--what makes for a good shaft?

In particular, I'm wondering what one can look for in the wood itself to see if it is good shaft material?

look for very fine, straight grain with none or very little rings and knots in the wood. The more rings in the wood pattern, the crappier the wood basically.

 

[SplicedPoints]

The best way to tell if a shaft is good is to actually take a few shots with it. A shaft could have good outer wood grains, but still doesn't make a good playing shaft for many reasons. A crappy looking wood could turn out to be a decent playing shaft for other reasons as well. That being said, a tight and straight grain is what you usually would look for.

 

[vapoolplayer]

The best way to tell if a shaft is good is to actually take a few shots with it. A shaft could have good outer wood grains, but still doesn't make a good playing shaft for many reasons. A crappy looking wood could turn out to be a decent playing shaft for other reasons as well. That being said, a tight and straight grain is what you usually would look for.

i'm not a cuemaker or a cue collector so from a player's stand point if you can make balls with it, and it feels good in your hand..........its a great shaft.

my .02

thanks