Would you rather break with leather, or phenolic?

[Bob Callahan]

There's a lot of discussion about which is best, so it'd be interesting to see what players actually prefer. The "rather" is in there because some rooms or leagues won't allow synthetics--some players carry two shafts because of this.

If you choose "other", please take a little time to explain.

If you use leather, but it's been altered (pressed, soaked in super glue, milk dudded, etc), that'd be real interesting to know about, too.

 

[bobroberts]

The other day in the pool room that i go a guy handed the owner the cue ball and said it was all chipped because of the phenolic tips being used. I like pool the old fashioned way. Leather tips no jump shots, no break cues.
But that's just me.

 

[justadub]

I just now got my first phenolic tipped break cue, (or rather Santa is bringing it on Saturday, but it has gotten a short test drive ) so I can't give a well-experienced review. I certainly like it so far, the few strikes I've given it.

 

[RRfireblade]

Phenolic.

No big secrets , just transfers the most energy and I love the sound. I have no issues with control using it , and being virtually maintanance free is a nice plus.

 

[Big Perm]

Samsara leather tip....love it....can park the cueball consistenly....played it for about a year or so now...

Previously, I played phenolic.....IMHO, I had less control, ended up with unintended english more often than I liked....glad I made the switch.....

 

[tryhonesty07]

I just ordered a samsara for my bk2, Ive been breaking with original phenolic for 3 years, but I think its a though to control and yes all my cueballs have c shaped cracks in them. I want controll, its not like Im trying to hit them as hard as I can and I need to use phenolic to hit it even harder. People get too bent up on power breaking IMO.

 

[AlBaker13]

I have a leather tip for a break cue, but it is a triangle dipped in acrylic, soaked, pressed, then dried. It hits like a phenolic and gives me the cue ball control of a leather tip. I recommend that for all break cues, it is pretty cool how it plays.

 

[Banks]

I was never able to get as good a break with a phenolic. It kinda felt like the ball was jumping off of the tip as quickly as possible instead of building up force. It worked fine for the 2nd-ball break until I got that down with my 14oz and then with the Z2. Now I just pack into my case every once in a while if I plan on getting into a game where jumping may be needed (I still prefer to kick, but in some ca$es it is just dumb not to jump).

I get a better break and better control using the everest on the Z2. And yes, I do like my tips flat. :thumbup:

 

[Jim Baxter]

I just installed a Madman XXXXXX hard, and Love it . Splatters the balls, and I got controll . Can't ask for more .

 

[Elephant Man]

Been loving the White Diamond for past 6 months or so. Plenty of control for me and sounds great. But it went flying off earlier this week. Was thinking of going leather... But might just glue it back on.

 

[twal]

Miss my tip

Since the BCA change I went to Samsara tip. This is a very good tip.
But I really do miss the spread from my phenolic. However due to rule changes this is what I have to stick with

 

[greyghost]

leather.......hands down

a bigger break isn't necessarily better.....and leather controls way better than phenolic