When to replace a tip for optimal performance?
- Thread starter Gogafem
- Start date
i just go by feel, i use triangle tips, when the tip stops biting the CB a certain way and feels "dead" i switch it out. Sometimes that takes a few weeks, sometimes months-it varies from tip to tip. My last tip was shot when i left for Europe, I played there for 2 months and another 4 or 5 weeks when i got back home. When i replaced the tip, it was so different that it took me a few days to adjust to having a proper tip again. I usually dont let them go that long.
Its a feel thing for me, 90% of the time. Once in a while the tip will mushroom or have a defect thats forces a change. its just hard to describe-when it dont feel right its time for a new one.
Its a feel thing for me, 90% of the time. Once in a while the tip will mushroom or have a defect thats forces a change. its just hard to describe-when it dont feel right its time for a new one.
You need to make a balanced decision.
IME, when new, the Kamuis give you *a lot* of spin and feel. Given a little time, they settle down and are very much like many other tips.
Sooooo, you have to make the call. Personally, right before a tournament, I prefer a broken-in tip that I know and know won't fall off after a recent install.
Lou Figueroa
asking
If you don't know the answer to that and you have to ask then shoot with what you have now, you most likely wont know the difference any way.
If you don't know the answer to that and you have to ask then shoot with what you have now, you most likely wont know the difference any way.
Funny I am the opposite of you. I hate having a new tip on. I think tips play best at the end, not the beginning.
I think tips play best right before I have to replace them.
In fact I know guys that put Moori tips on and tell the cue guy to cut them in half immediately....
If you recently just put on a new tip don't screw with it.
Ken
I think tips play best right before I have to replace them.
In fact I know guys that put Moori tips on and tell the cue guy to cut them in half immediately....
If you recently just put on a new tip don't screw with it.
Ken
Some times that is true too.
Its a feel thing and there IMO isnt a formula or exact answer, like pizza-its better some times than others-and its never exactly the same twice.
Never make A Change ......Any Change......Now!
Look......right now your game is whatever it is.....good, bad, indifferent.....doesn't matter.
You have to concentrate on the game played between the ears.
Don't change anything equipment wise before a tournament......play with what got ya here.
Only change something if it's broken, or your sure it's not performing. It doesn't sound like that in your thread. What you know and can count on is what you have right now. What you don't know is what you'll wind up with until you get there and it will be different.......maybe better but probably not for awhile with the way new tips perform even after careful shaping.
Tips have to play a bit in order to assume a reliable trustworthy shape, hardness, and your sense of what seems to work best with your vertical and horizontal English application. That takes a little bit of time which varies with the brand & hardness of the tip, as well as the player's learning curve. Buddy, you don't have that luxury right now and so unless you don't trust your tip, and if that was the case you'd know it, stick with what ya got 'til after the tournament.
I also play with Kamui Black medium tips on my cues and it's a hard tip that generally has a long life to it unless the tip has been aggressively sanded or reshaped during its life. It doesn't sound like that to me from thread but I'm presupposing because you have the cue and I can't see the tip. Why don't you post photos of the tip and I'm sure you'll get feedback, mixed of course I'm sure, but it may make you feel better about it. I think you will be okay but let's see what the tip looks like. Post a photo of the top of the tip and also include a photo of the side of the tip with part of the ferrule included so the height (remainder) of the tip can be assessed. That's more important than a top down photo of the cue tip.
Matt B.
Look......right now your game is whatever it is.....good, bad, indifferent.....doesn't matter.
You have to concentrate on the game played between the ears.
Don't change anything equipment wise before a tournament......play with what got ya here.
Only change something if it's broken, or your sure it's not performing. It doesn't sound like that in your thread. What you know and can count on is what you have right now. What you don't know is what you'll wind up with until you get there and it will be different.......maybe better but probably not for awhile with the way new tips perform even after careful shaping.
Tips have to play a bit in order to assume a reliable trustworthy shape, hardness, and your sense of what seems to work best with your vertical and horizontal English application. That takes a little bit of time which varies with the brand & hardness of the tip, as well as the player's learning curve. Buddy, you don't have that luxury right now and so unless you don't trust your tip, and if that was the case you'd know it, stick with what ya got 'til after the tournament.
I also play with Kamui Black medium tips on my cues and it's a hard tip that generally has a long life to it unless the tip has been aggressively sanded or reshaped during its life. It doesn't sound like that to me from thread but I'm presupposing because you have the cue and I can't see the tip. Why don't you post photos of the tip and I'm sure you'll get feedback, mixed of course I'm sure, but it may make you feel better about it. I think you will be okay but let's see what the tip looks like. Post a photo of the top of the tip and also include a photo of the side of the tip with part of the ferrule included so the height (remainder) of the tip can be assessed. That's more important than a top down photo of the cue tip.
Matt B.
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I've kept my layered sniper tips on for @ 1.5 - 2 years. I may average @ 4 hours of play per week lately. I don't feel any difference over the life of the tip.
I don't know if I'm sacrificing performance by doing so. Still feels good - I just gently scuff and tip pick @ every 4 hours of play.
Waiting for TWheels to send me my Kamui voucher. :grin-square: That should be interesting...
Great thread question, look forward to learning more.
I don't know if I'm sacrificing performance by doing so. Still feels good - I just gently scuff and tip pick @ every 4 hours of play.
Waiting for TWheels to send me my Kamui voucher. :grin-square: That should be interesting...
Great thread question, look forward to learning more.
Post
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I've always hit with a thin tip even if I have to shave it off by a few millimeters when new'
Call me crazy but I seam to have less control and more miscues with a tall tip.
Some shots I stroke like a locomotive and some like a dodge dart..not saying I make them all but it seams automatic when I get down on the ball, different shots with different strokes that come naturally....
I never really thought about it till now, I think I aim with the ferrule
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Rob.M
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I've always hit with a thin tip even if I have to shave it off by a few millimeters when new'
Call me crazy but I seam to have less control and more miscues with a tall tip.
Some shots I stroke like a locomotive and some like a dodge dart..not saying I make them all but it seams automatic when I get down on the ball, different shots with different strokes that come naturally....
I never really thought about it till now, I think I aim with the ferrule
.
Rob.M
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One week before tournament I wouldn't change anything in my equipment.
Good luck to Eurotour.
Good luck to Eurotour.
Sounds like you like a tip when it gets harder
Try a Moori hard, or, even press a Moori hard for a few hours.
You can get to where they "click" a little but I really like the hit and results from a very hard layered tip.
Yes, that's what I'm worried about - not being used to new equipment.
Here are some pictures of the tip.
I agree with Bavafangoul. A Kamui Black Medium is a fairly hard tip. It shouldn't mushroom substantially (if at all) and shouldn't change characteristic over time. It should last a long time. Yours looks to be in great condition. If you like the way it plays, I wouldn't change. If you are not happy, I would trim down a layer and try again before cutting this off and starting over. KBM is a great tip and has become the favorite in our local pool room.
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Looks to be plenty of tip on there. I personally have my tips cut down so the sides of the tip have 3 layers, then the curvature on top and ill play with it until its down to the last layer. A tip will generally last me 5-6 months this way.
I wouldn't risk a new tip after seeing the condition yours is in. Give yourself a few weeks to get used to a new tip, especially a Kamui. They change so dramatically when new. To start they will generate more spin, then they start to become more consistent.
Good luck on the tour.
I wouldn't risk a new tip after seeing the condition yours is in. Give yourself a few weeks to get used to a new tip, especially a Kamui. They change so dramatically when new. To start they will generate more spin, then they start to become more consistent.
Good luck on the tour.
I had to smile.
My normal tip is a Moori soft, but the local cue tip guy suggested a Kamui Black soft. It plays good, but since I have had it mushrooms a little and I usually have to shape it slightly after 8 hours of play or so.
I never had to do that with the Moori tip so this will be my last time using a Kamui Black Soft.
Ken
Once, before a 3-day provincial tournament (AA class , I'm no pro) , I changed my tip the night before when I was practicing. I finished 3rd in a 64 player field.
If something bugs you , change it because there is nothing worse than playing with fear.
THERE IS NO PRICE FOR THE PEACE OF MIND.
If something bugs you , change it because there is nothing worse than playing with fear.
THERE IS NO PRICE FOR THE PEACE OF MIND.
based on the photo, the tip still looks good. i suggest having the shaft cleaned, especially the ferrule. re-scuff/re-shape the tip and that should be ok.
i remember years ago, Lee Van Corteza let us check out his playing cue, his tip was really thin maybe 2mm or less, and he's about to play a money game against dennis in a few hours. we were like, "he's playing dennis with that tip?"
i remember years ago, Lee Van Corteza let us check out his playing cue, his tip was really thin maybe 2mm or less, and he's about to play a money game against dennis in a few hours. we were like, "he's playing dennis with that tip?"
Looks don't mean a thing..... most tips will change a full hardness grade in 4-6 weeks.... if you don't start with a hard you usually end up with one....
For most players it won't matter aside from having to adjust to a new tip but if you want to play with the same tip all the time you either have to convert to hard tips or have yours changed out every monthish.....
Option 2 is the new Outsville Ki-Techs they stay the same grade for months since they are single layered and engineered for a certain feel and sound and not just pressed softer to make a soft....
Chris
For most players it won't matter aside from having to adjust to a new tip but if you want to play with the same tip all the time you either have to convert to hard tips or have yours changed out every monthish.....
Option 2 is the new Outsville Ki-Techs they stay the same grade for months since they are single layered and engineered for a certain feel and sound and not just pressed softer to make a soft....
Chris
Never get your hair done the day before prom.