When you’re buying a pool cue, there are things you’ve to consider before you pay. You’ve so many purchases that require some substantive research, and looking for a pool cue is not an exception. Before making the final decision, you’ve to check out the many in the market. The process can be pretty overwhelming, but don’t give up; the harder you try, the better your options. Whether you’re are choosing a cue for yourself or a friend, here are features to check out for
Pool cue shaft
If you want sound quality billiard cue brands, go for “hard-rock maple” for their shafts. The wood they are made of has the best feel, durability, and flexibility. That’s all you need for a pool cue shaft. There are emerging carbon pool cue shafts being manufactured these days. They represent the latest performance and consistency, but they are equally expensive. If you’re a good player, a simple maple shaft is enough and can serve you for years, even decades.
Keep off those low-quality cues packed in big boxes that come in blister packs. Those are just made from the Ramin wood, an inferior Asian wood, cheap and very grainy. If too long, you can warp it. You should avoid other poor shaft materials are titanium and aluminum, because they lack flexibility and thus won’t allow you to play well.
The pool cue Tip styles
The medium hardness type of tips is what standard cues have. The layered pool cue types are done from multiple thin leather strips pressed and glued together. This process is perfect in creating a consistent tip that holds the shape better, and thus less maintenance is needed. These are high quality, and it’s a tip you should always have unless you have a specific type or hardness that you prefer.
Layered tips come in different harnesses, affecting the hit and tip longevity. When you have softer tips, they hold chalk better and are thus less likely to miscue. But the extra compression requires more attention and maintenance for a consistent shape. A stiffer tip will require less shaping but won’t hold back chalk and lead to miscues if you don’t reapply chalk.
Then there’s the medium tip hardness which is perfect for both worlds; it has plenty of grips and requires minimal maintenance.
The pool cue tip sizes
A standard one has a diameter of 12 to 13 millimeters, a perfect size for beginners. With the standard size tip, you can get a lot of spins and draw. And for straight shots, it’s pretty forgiving. You could also try smaller tips that measure 12mm or thereabouts to create more cue ball spin will less effort.
Shaft taper
Beginner pool cues often have a professional tapered shaft. The taper lends itself to comfort with all bridge styles. It’s not only a safe place to begin but also a preferred shape by most professional pool players.
When looking for cue brands, always buy from shops where you’ll get a minimum of a 1-year warranty to cover the manufacturing defect, which sometimes is so pronounced. Other manufacturers have a lifetime warranty, including warpage, a pretty solid coverage.
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