Wrap on cue = better stroke?

[CueAndMe]

I have been using a wrapless cue for years. I thought it was a good thing because its stickiness allowed me to relax my grip and move the cue easily, as long as I didn't sweat too much.

But I'm thinking about having a wrap put on to possibly keep me from jabbing with my stroke. I figure that as long as my grip is relaxed, a linen wrap would force me to accelerate the cue evenly through the stroke, since it would slip if I tried to jerk the cue forward.

Any thoughts?

 

[Balabushka]

Hmmm never thought about that but I don't sweat much on my hand.
Lately I am using a wrapless cue, and I really like the feel. I switch off and use a linen wrap cue, but the only thing that bugs me about the linen wrapped cue is that it is a valuable older cue and I am paranoid about soiling the wrap.

ON the wrapless I guess it is true that I feel I can grip lighter now that I think about it.

 

[androd]

I have been using a wrapless cue for years. I thought it was a good thing because its stickiness allowed me to relax my grip and move the cue easily, as long as I didn't sweat too much.

But I'm thinking about having a wrap put on to possibly keep me from jabbing with my stroke. I figure that as long as my grip is relaxed, a linen wrap would force me to accelerate the cue evenly through the stroke, since it would slip if I tried to jerk the cue forward.

Any thoughts?

i guess i hold the cue so lightly that i never notice the difference. i've got leather and linen or with a house cue it's all the same to me.
PS; the more you think about your grip and your back hand the worse your game will get. find something that works and go with it . IMHO
rodney.

 

[Bob Jewett]

... But I'm thinking about having a wrap put on to possibly keep me from jabbing with my stroke. I figure that as long as my grip is relaxed, a linen wrap would force me to accelerate the cue evenly through the stroke, since it would slip if I tried to jerk the cue forward.

Any thoughts?

I think exactly the opposite is true. If your hand starts to slip because the wrap is slippery, you will tend to tighten your grip to prevent slip. If you want to do the experiment, try the two extremes: a rayon wrap and a rubber wrap.

 

[sygfrid]

I'm using both wrapped & wrapless cues. I find that it's easier to do a slip stroke with a wrapped one especially if it's Irish Linen. However, I find myself using wrapless more as there's more "feel" & I don't get distracted whenever my grip goes out of the "handle" area.

What I do with my wrapless cues to be slicker, and also keep them glossy, is that I often detail them using automotive products. It's quite tricky to find a wax that will not become sticky to the hand. 3M Perfect it Show Car liquid wax is great for me

 

[1on1pooltournys]

Leather Wraps?

I have been considering getting a leather wrap put on my cue in place of irish linen. What are the advantages or disadvantages of leather? I had one a long time ago but don't remember if I liked it or not? Just looking for some feedback on what others think of them. Thanks in advance.

 

[CueAndMe]

I think exactly the opposite is true. If your hand starts to slip because the wrap is slippery, you will tend to tighten your grip to prevent slip. If you want to do the experiment, try the two extremes: a rayon wrap and a rubber wrap.

I was thinking that there would be a period of getting used to gripping loosely and allowing a longer, more smoothly accelerated stroke to develop.
I also find that I'm inconsistent anywhere in between a loose grip and a tight grip, but oddly I can use either extreme effectively.

 

[CueAndMe]

I'm using both wrapped & wrapless cues. I find that it's easier to do a slip stroke with a wrapped one especially if it's Irish Linen. However, I find myself using wrapless more as there's more "feel" & I don't get distracted whenever my grip goes out of the "handle" area.

What I do with my wrapless cues to be slicker, and also keep them glossy, is that I often detail them using automotive products. It's quite tricky to find a wax that will not become sticky to the hand. 3M Perfect it Show Car liquid wax is great for me

I never thought about using a product to make the wrapless slicker. Maybe I'll try that as a test.
Thanks.

 

[PKM]

I always thought the wrap was supposed to give you a better grip compared to wrapless. You're saying it's the opposite? I have a linen wrap and haven't compared much, except for the occasional house cue.

 

[cuetable]

I have been using a wrapless cue for years. I thought it was a good thing because its stickiness allowed me to relax my grip and move the cue easily, as long as I didn't sweat too much.

But I'm thinking about having a wrap put on to possibly keep me from jabbing with my stroke. I figure that as long as my grip is relaxed, a linen wrap would force me to accelerate the cue evenly through the stroke, since it would slip if I tried to jerk the cue forward.

Any thoughts?

There is an inexpensive way for you to test this: try a rubber wrap. They cost between $5-10 and come in different colors, texture and thickness. It takes 1 min to install/take off and would not damage your cue in anyway. Almost all 3 cushion billiard players use them.

My friend Ira sells them online: http://highrock.storesecured.com/items/accessories/list.htm

It can be very "grippy" at first and will get better after a while...

 

[Black-Balled]

I can't make a ball with a wrapped cue!

my favorite feel is the oil-rubbed finish, though all my current cues are auto-laquered.

 

[CueAndMe]

I'm assuming a rubber wrap is very tacky. That's actually the opposite of what I'm suggesting. I'm looking to possibly make the cue more slippery so that it forces me to gradually accelerate through the stroke(if I don't it would slip) rather than jerking it forward which a tacky grip would allow.
This is all assuming that I have a loose Efren-like hold on the cue.

 

[JimS]

If you want your nowrap cue slicker use Karseal Q Wax which I get at http://www.poolndarts.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/Catalog.SearchProcess.cfm . It's by far the slickest wax. Or use Slip Stick, or some other product meant to make the shaft slick. Try it... you'll like it.

Or, just clean the handle well with denatured alcohol. A clean nowarp cue will slip pretty well.

If you have sweaty hands I'd opt for a linen wrap. I think leather wraps are mostly for looks and have little playing advantage that I can discern.

I use wax over my stacked leather wrapped cue to make it feel like a nowrap cue and I"m having a cue refinished and having the linen wrap handle sprayed over so it will act like a nowrap cue.

So.. do what works for you but experiment and find out what works best. It's fun.

 

[CueAndMe]

Thanks Jim. I do have Butcher's Bowling Wax that I was using for the shaft. Is that similar do you think?

 

[manwon]

I have been using a wrapless cue for years. I thought it was a good thing because its stickiness allowed me to relax my grip and move the cue easily, as long as I didn't sweat too much.

But I'm thinking about having a wrap put on to possibly keep me from jabbing with my stroke. I figure that as long as my grip is relaxed, a linen wrap would force me to accelerate the cue evenly through the stroke, since it would slip if I tried to jerk the cue forward.

Any thoughts?

It is all personal preference which is based upon we and individuals play, and how our bodies function. Most know that I own a Pool Hall, let me say I get asked this question all the time. Now if you are one of people who profusely sweats from their hands a wrap-less cue may not be the answer. For people whose body functions in the above manner, depending upon the finish a wrap-less cue may become to slick to maintain a proper grip. For these people a cue with a linen or a leather would better suit their game do to the add grip these kind of materials will give you. I have customers who need their cue rewraped every year do to the above problem. The sweat from their hands will cause many problems including the adhesive which are generally water soluble (Elmer's White Glue) to break down. Now I know everyone has seen pool tables with what appear to tracks all over them from people with sweaty hands, while most are not as bad as I have described above, many know what I am talking about.

Hope this helps!!

 

[Wolven]

I prefer no wrap on cue it is clean and has a cool feel to it. Leather wraps tend to heat up. My hands normally do not sweat but with leather they do. Another problem is that many cue makers use sprays to protect the leather which creates that tacky sticky feel and you can get that crap on your shaft. All in all a lot of hand washing required.

 

[billyjack]

I have been considering getting a leather wrap put on my cue in place of irish linen. What are the advantages or disadvantages of leather? I had one a long time ago but don't remember if I liked it or not? Just looking for some feedback on what others think of them. Thanks in advance.

IMO leather is the absolute best. Lasts forever, easy to clean, and you have full control of the level of tackiness. You can make it tacky, slippery, or anywhere in between just by varying the treatment. And it's all reversible. Plus, to my eye, leather just presents a "premium" look that compliments an exotic wood.

Bill

 

[JimS]

Thanks Jim. I do have Butcher's Bowling Wax that I was using for the shaft. Is that similar do you think?

I don't think it's similar at all. The Karseal is MUCH slicker. imo..

 

[SCCues]

3M Perfect it Show Car liquid wax is great for me

I use 3M Perfect It on my cues also and it's the best product i've used. It was recommended by a top cue maker and after I tried it I've stuck with it.

James

 

[SCCues]

I always thought the wrap was supposed to give you a better grip compared to wrapless. You're saying it's the opposite? I have a linen wrap and haven't compared much, except for the occasional house cue.

I have both wrapped and wrapless cues and I get a better feel with the wrapless cue I have. My hands stay dry and the linen wraps on my cues feel slippery and I don't get the right grip unless I put a moisturizing lotion on my grip hand before I play. The wrapless cue feels good all of the time.

James