Best shaft

[skor]

I got that feeling that this topic is going to get hot :twisted: which is good because the weekend is near and unless there is a good argument going on then this forum will die over the weekend 8)

OK So in my opinion I think that Predator 314 shaft is the best shaft since the first two piece cue, it just feel and play better then any other I've tried.

Although some of you may say that the Z is better, I'm willing to bet that 10 years from now or when ever Allan McCarty will be inducted to the BCA Hall of fame it will be for changing the industry with the 314, not the Z and not the P2

[spartan]

i agree. the 314 is superior to anything i have ever tried. gave the z 6 months but never really liked it. i put an elkmaster on the z and it was better but i still didnt like it. i think most of the regulars here use a 314 with the exception of greg.

[audiopro]

I like the shaft my dad has quite a bit.. It is a Meucci black dot.. But quite honestly, I do not mind to much which shaft I am using. As long as it is not warped, I can typically make good use of any of them...

[spartan]

i was at the pool hall a couple weeks ago and i got knocked out so i was just banging balls around with the manager. he let me use his richard black cue with a 11mm shaft ivory ferrule and an elkmaster tip. i kicked ass with it.

[Batman]

i just got a 314 last week, as never really giving one a try before, i based my purchasing decision on the facts....... i have to say i like it so far, but i am not really used to it completely.

my buddy, who is on my team, and is a better player than me, does not like the predator shafts, he has an older, Kevin Deroo 4 splice shaft, and swears by it. i have tried it and it hits nice.

one of the top players here has an $8000 kevin deroo cue with a 10 splice shaft (like the predator) and he swears he will never use anything else.

ps. thats canadian money...............

[DZ314]

I have a 314 and like it very much. I enjoy the added accuracy which it allows when using spin and potting long shots.

[LWW]

3-1-4.

LWW

[Nick T.]

I agree that the Predator shafts are as good or better than anything else on the market. When the Z was introduced I was very impressed and became infatuated with it, but as time passes the 314 has regained the leader position for me.

There are other shafts that equal the Predators in feel and deflection consistency, and come close in low deflection. I have a couple of 32-ply flat laminated shafts by Dan Trogdon and my son also has two of them. My son prefers them over the 314.

With a flat laminated shaft you have to learn to hold your cue in a consistent position - much like a baseball hitter automatically holds his bat with the label up.

IMO consistency of left/right deflection is much more important than the amount of deflection. Most laminated shafts - both radial and flat - have equal left/right deflection.

All that being said, I don’t think that you can go wrong with a Predator - excellent characteristics plus you can get them with several different joints or even without a joint for customization.

[skor]

One of the advantages of the Predator shafts over the flat laminated shafts is that it eliminates "sweet spots", no mater how you hold it, it will play the same (assuming that the tip is perfectly round) while the laminated shafts are intentionally puuting a sweet spot to the shaft.
I'm sure that if a baseball player will have an option to choose a bat that he does not have to hold it with a label up he will go with that one.
I've tested the black dot shaft next to a 314 shaft and the result was that the 314 is more accurate and has less cue ball deflection.

[ThePoolHustler]

I use the 3.14 pi shaft...hehehe. However, Meucci and Annie-O also make shafts that reduce deflection. I guess they are supposed to be pretty good. I have never used either of them. However, I may buy an Annie-O shaft at some point. I would like to try one.

[DZ314]

It seems like Annie-O has some customer service issues to resolve before I will even dream of doing business with them, i.e. Nick-T's post. Right now I will stick with Predator and Seybert's! :D

[New Kid In The Hall]

If you can tell the difference between the Meucci Black Dot Bullseye and the Annie-O I would like to know. It looks to me like one supplies the other or vice versa.

[skor]

OB-1 shaft, now this shaft rocks!!!

[DZ314]

OB-1 shaft, now this shaft rocks!!!

Glad you like it, Skor! I hope you win all of your matches with it! May the force be with you, OB-1! :lol:

[LWW]

OB-1 Skor newbie...

...it has a ring to it.

LWW

[skor]

nanoo nanoo 8)

[Bygjerry]

Man seriously....I would order that shaft just because it is named OB-1...sold. :wink:

[vypoon]

Hi skor,

I was looking at the OB-1 shafts. What is your opinion on it now that you're had it for a while. How do you compare it with the Tiger-x and Predator shafts?


OB-1 shaft, now this shaft rocks!!!

[skor]

you can read my opinion in this link
http://www.seyberts.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=3261

[delfi]

I personally have not tried the OB-1 , but will when I see another one. I have a Predator 95-14 (ICF edition) with 2 - 6 piece radially laminated shafts. A 10 piece and a 12 piece predator 314 radially laminated shaft, A black Dot, a generic high lamination count flat laminate shaft, a generice 8 piece radially laminated shaft, a universal shaft an several regular shafts. Of all the 'special' shafts my Universal regular squirt shaft seems to be the most consistent for me (an average player). Of my normal shafts my Russ Espiritu is by far the most enjoyable to play with, but I am not as consistent with it as with any of my radially laminated shafts. The Flat laminates are great to break with.

After playing with my predator, I would have sworn I would never need another type of shaft, but the universal shaft feels so much better - It might not test better - but I do play better with it.

[spartan]

I like the Universal shaft more than Predator. I bought one to try. I like it better than Predator but not as much as I like maple shafts.

[Tigershark]

I detect a consensus; so to sum it up for the newbies looking to the wisdom of ye olde pool gods around here:

Best shaft(s):

Predator 314
OB-1

Best tip(s):

Moori
Talisman (which OB-1 installs as standard)

Best cue:

Well now...the prettiest one you can afford with standard threads for the obligatory 'best' shaft!! :D

[spartan]

I disagree with what you posted. Just because it works for certain players on a message board does not mean it will work for anyone. You have to try things out for awhile to get a feel of how it will change your game for the good or bad. I cannot understand how some come on here asking which is better 314 or Z? and questions like that without having any personal experience. They then base their opinion on what SOMEONE ELSE thinks. Just because it works for someone else does not mean it will work for you as well. Too many variables.

[Tigershark]

Whoa, Spartan...ease up on the caffeine. I think my previous post was easily one of my most frivolous since coming to this forum, so don't read too much into it. I really meant to emphasize the last part about the 'best cue', which actually confirms just what you were saying about open choices and many variables.

[skor]

I agree with spartan, there is no such thing as best cue or best shaft, only what's best for you.
BUT let's put that on the side for a moment....., I can't understand how from reading into this forum you figured that the best shafts are the 314 and the OB-1, I mean, I think that I'm the only one in this forum that has an OB-1, you can't say it's the best basing it on one guy's thought (even if it is me 8) ) if you read all the posts that are regarding shafts in this forum then I belive that the favorite shafts here are the Z and the 314.
Another little thing.... the OB-1 shaft comes standard with a triangle tip not a talisman... and ther is an option to upgrade it to Moori tip (but not to talisman).

[Tigershark]

BUT let's put that on the side for a moment....., I can't understand how from reading into this forum you figured that the best shafts are the 314 and the OB-1, I mean, I think that I'm the only one in this forum that has an OB-1, you can't say it's the best basing it on one guy's thought (even if it is me 8) ) if you read all the posts that are regarding shafts in this forum then I belive that the favorite shafts here are the Z and the 314.

I never said I based a consensus about the OB-1 from this one thread. Although I don't think I understood some other people weren't talking about their own personal experiences, so I'll give you that :)


Another little thing.... the OB-1 shaft comes standard with a triangle tip not a talisman... and ther is an option to upgrade it to Moori tip (but not to talisman).

Not any more Skor. Now they are using Talismans 8)

Please to check out their website and see for yourself

[Randall]

I was lookin into buying a new shaft for my cue. From what I see, I’m probably goin to go with the ob-1 shaft. I was wondering, does seybert’s sell this shaft?? And if not, are you ever going to offer it?? Thanks for your help.

[dags_lax]

I am still partial to my sharpshooter shaft although the Z shaft is a very good shaft as well. I have an Impact shaft on order for my Chester Crick and hopefully it will be here in a couple of weeks. This will be my first maple/polymer shaft that I have owned.

[vypoon]

I just got my OB-1. I can't believe how easily I was able to adjust to it. I played a few games with the shaft last night. It feels amazingly natural. I play with a meucci shaft for 10 years and have recently tried the Blackdot, Predator and Tiger shafts, but the OB was by far the best for me. It guess because it had the right amount of flex so the hit feels very natural but at the same time it is firm like the Predator or Tiger shafts. love it!


I agree with spartan, there is no such thing as best cue or best shaft, only what's best for you.
BUT let's put that on the side for a moment....., I can't understand how from reading into this forum you figured that the best shafts are the 314 and the OB-1, I mean, I think that I'm the only one in this forum that has an OB-1, you can't say it's the best basing it on one guy's thought (even if it is me 8) ) if you read all the posts that are regarding shafts in this forum then I belive that the favorite shafts here are the Z and the 314.
Another little thing.... the OB-1 shaft comes standard with a triangle tip not a talisman... and ther is an option to upgrade it to Moori tip (but not to talisman).

[nineballart]

Of course no one knows for sure the best shaft out there....It is a matter of personal feel and choice..I have played for 1 solid year with the P2 Predator and a 314 shaft...I have loved it and shot great....I aquired a Z shaft 2 months ago and fell in love with it....I had used a 314 before on a 3/8 x 10 wood to wood joint and did not like it..So it matters what type cue you have and put the shaft on...It works better on some then others.

But last week I tried a Coker cue with the stock shaft and it felt so much better than my Predator I bought it and just love it....I can do so much more and I am more accurate on long shots....So go figure....So what is the best shaft??? The one you like to play with now, I quess????

[jsggems]

IMO, a tight grain 20 GPI or old growth maple shaft with a 3/4 inch ferrule is the best shaft to have.

[SMS2884]

you want my opinion..i think that the best shaft is a straight one with a perfect shaped tip..all that is needed..you think mosconi ran 526 balls with a predator?? lol

[audiopro]

That however is not a fair comparison...

Mosconi + Anything > *

Not everyone is blessed with an ability to kick ass regardless of assistance. In the world of, everything NOT being equal, you need to take advantage of every tool available....

Do you think people built houses with power tools 500 years ago? In fact, they did not... And now with such tools at our disposal, we can build a better and stronger house, in MUCH less time...

Hopefully that analogy makes sense... 8)

[skor]

But he could have run 800 if he did have a Predator..... :twisted:

BTW, that record was done on an 8ft. table not the standard pro 9tf. tables....

Yet still a great record and like audiopro said, there was only one Mosconi...

[nathar]

But he could have run 800 if he did have a Predator..... :twisted:

BTW, that record was done on an 8ft. table not the standard pro 9tf. tables....

Yet still a great record and like audiopro said, there was only one Mosconi...

I would think that in a game like straight pool, the 9 foot table would be a boon. Being that most of the balls stay on the foot end of the table, the extra width would be helpful for positioning. I have seen racks of 14:1 where all of the balls were either pocketed in the foot corners or the side pockets and none of the balls were made in the head corners.

[vikash]

Skor dont you think the OB shafts are a bit heavier and has too much glue in it...... try droping your ob shaft on the pool table and try the 314 you will what i mean. And the Ob shaft produces more stiff shot. What say....

[vikash]

Skor dont you think the OB shafts are a bit heavier and has too much glue in it...... try droping your ob shaft on the pool table and try the same with 314 you will know what i mean. And the Ob shaft produces more stiff shot. What say....

[skor]

The OB-1 is a bit heavier, I don't need to drop it to know, I can weigh it...
My OB-1 shaft weights 112 grams and My 314 shaft weights 103 grams.

Since the OB-1 is constructed from more parts then there is more glue BUT I don't know if it's too much...

[vikash]

The droping part of it was not to see if it was heavier, it makes a completely different noise, when compared to the 314...

[skor]

The different sound is because the 314 is hollow while the OB-1 has foam inside it

[Rippeace]

i wouldn't recommend Meucci black dots.....most cue makers i have spoken too say they are straight up CRAP.

[Rippeace]

oh and about mosconi. He came to Brooklyn NY many years ago...the best shooter in town stepped up to play him. Mosconi did not recommend it, but he ended up playing him, and beating him with a BROOMSTICK!!!!!!!!! He was a machine. 14:1 is where its at.

I spoke to a long time billiard player/cue repairer.....let me quote him.." Balabushka cues would make predator look like crap." Please share your opinions on this. I doubt that....but my knowledge of balabushka is very limited.

[skor]

I spoke to a long time billiard player/cue repairer.....let me quote him.." Balabushka cues would make predator look like crap." Please share your opinions on this. I doubt that....but my knowledge of balabushka is very limited.

everyone is entitled to their own opinion.... I think that the Balabushka were great cues, I've never got to play with one but I know how they were constructed....
In my opinion if you fit a Predator shaft to it it'll play even better...

[tsuguy]

Balabushka vs a 1st gen Predator... tough to say. In today's world though, a Predator is top of the line, if you don't shoot with one it's because of "feel" not performance or because of quality. If everyone was looking for the same feel then we would only have a need for one high quality performing cue, not thousands!

That should say plenty on it's own!