What's the best break shaft?

B

Bill Yerd

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Im thinking about purchasing a 5/16x18 piloted break shaft to use on my Hxt4 butt and installing a Samsara break tip.
Please let me know your opinion of the best shaft for this or should I just purchase an entire cue for this purpose. I'm on a low budget, but would entertain any recommendations. Thanks
 
The predator bk2 is a tough break cue to beat unless you wanna spend some bank. If I were you I would grab a used bk2...you can find em fairly cheap. Hope this helps
 
The best break shaft is the one that feels the best and does what you want it to do, for me that's the McDermott "big boy" I1
 
The words best and budget don't mix.
Best----Samsara
Budget----Fury

"Keep your feet on the ground and keep reaching for the stars." ---Casey Kasem
 
Bill Yerd said:
Im thinking about purchasing a 5/16x18 piloted break shaft to use on my Hxt4 butt and installing a Samsara break tip.
Please let me know your opinion of the best shaft for this or should I just purchase an entire cue for this purpose. I'm on a low budget, but would entertain any recommendations. Thanks
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Ya know, there's no shortage of opinions on this. And so, for what it's worth, here's mine.

As another poster pointed out, there is no best for all, there is a best for you.

I have a McDermott "Heartbreaker" j/b. I replaced the ferrule with a phenolic tip and ferrule combo and dropped the weight to 18 oz. Works well for me.

I also have an original Predator BK (1st year). It's 18 oz with a hard water buffalo tip. Works quite well and allows for english on the cueball (much greater range than phenolic). I like this cue and it also doubles up as a damned nice player too.

And lastly..and this will get some to wince..

My favorite player, and my favorite break cue, are one and the same. It's a 10 yr old Tucker custom and it has an ivory ferrule equipped with a pad and a Triangle tip. Thing breaks like a cannon with control. (I could have any tip I want, as I do tip and shaft repairs at home.) That Tucker has been my absolute favorite for years and I'll tell ya what..Murray makes players. Yes his cues are beautiful, but they are made for playing, and I love to play.
 
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Best break shaft that felt like it had the most power was the mezz power break deep impact shaft. Other shafts I liked was a first generation X-Breaker shaft and I like the power of the OB Break shaft.
 
Bill Yerd said:
What's the best ...?
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What is your deal with all the 'what's the best'/ 'what's the worst' questions?

One with a little common sense would understand that there is no 'best', once there are choices established.

What's the best car? What's the best food? What's the best shoe...?

WTF?! There is no prize for starting the most threads.
 
Black-Balled said:
What is your deal with all the 'what's the best'/ 'what's the worst' questions?

One with a little common sense would understand that there is no 'best', once there are choices established.

What's the best car? What's the best food? What's the best shoe...?

WTF?! There is no prize for starting the most threads.
Click to expand...

this. i've been thinking it. i just didn't want to be the guy to say it.
 
Bill Yerd said:
Im thinking about purchasing a 5/16x18 piloted break shaft to use on my Hxt4 butt and installing a Samsara break tip.
Please let me know your opinion of the best shaft for this or should I just purchase an entire cue for this purpose. I'm on a low budget, but would entertain any recommendations. Thanks
Click to expand...

My "break cue" right now is a Players with a 5/16 x 18 piloted joint. When I looked to replace the shaft, I ran into problems finding one that would fit. All of the shafts recommended by the other people who poseted here make shafts with a 5/16 x 18 joint, but my understanding was that they don't make piloted ones. I know Tiger does, though I didn't see anyone mention Tiger shafts. None of the shafts mentioned are "budget", and they probably all run around $200 to $235. That is cheaper than a whole new break cue, and if you really like your HXT4 butt, and if any of the production shafts mentioned by the other posts actually are available to fit a 5/16 x 18 piloted joint, then I'd appreciate it if you'd post something about which one you decided on and how it worked out for you.
 
I have a 19 oz killer break cue my brother built it's made with a flat laminate shaft turned down to 13.50 MM with a Samsara tip. It breaks better than any cue I've ever tried including Predator and Sledgehammer.
 
I have had many of the top name brand break cues that are mentioned on this forum and even some that aren't. This includes customs and mass produced like the Lomax and Predator. I have never been a fan of Viking at all, but I tried my friends Viking with a V Crush shaft and i was blown away by how much better it breaks than any cue I have ever owned or tried. In my opinion it is hands down the best break shaft on the market at this time. Hope this helps.
 
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