Published August 10th, 2008
in Pool Cue Tip Tools.
So I finally got myself a new tip tool last week and all I can say is that my Atrox tool has been supplanted. I dug the Atrox because it was pretty versatile, but the problem was the thing was so damn bulky. The Atrox was fine for a while, but ultimately I had to trade her in for something with a little less junk in the trunk.
Honestly, the Atrox is so damn bulky that more often than not, I left the thing at home and just used my Tip Pik and a Cue Cube. But now thanks to my new My new favorite tool, Cuetec Bowtie 3-in-1 tool, I can leave all that crap at home.
The tool is really everything you need. It’s got a shaper on one side, a scuffer on the other and when you open it up, you’ll find a nice little “aerator” (fancy talk for poking holes in your tip). The best part about it though… no more puncture wounds in my leg. Ever since I lost the cap for my Tip Pik, I’ve just been gouging the hell out of my thigh. In all seriousness, if you play regularly, you should really crack open your wallet and drop a Jackson to get one of these.
Published May 17th, 2008
in Scorpion Cues.
If you’re considering the purchase of a Scorpion cue, this is worth reading. One of the big selling points for Scorpion cues is that they are warp resistant due to their fiberglass shell. The claim made by the manufacturers of Scorpion cues is that their cuemaking process provides protection from atmospheric extremes by their “Armor Effect” technique of coating the shaft with fiberglass, effectively sealing the wood and protecting it from moisture. According to the patent, the real protection comes from the following:
“A process for manufacturing wooden cues involves turning a wooden stick to obtain a certain diameter cue. This cue is then drilled to form holes, thereby destroying the composition of the wood fibers. Next, a glue and composite material are coated on the cue resulting in a preferred diameter cue size. The cue is then placed in a mold, pressed and heat dryed. The ends of the cue are then cut to an appropriate length and stoppers are added to the ends thereof. The resulting cue will be water-proof and will avoid warping, even over an extended period of use.”
The coating is part of it, but the other big part is the act of drilling holes in the shaft and filling them with a composite in order to break up the wood fibers. Pretty interesting stuff. This should protect the cue from warping, but the wood does have to be straight prior to the process in order for it to work.
For the record, I have a bunch of friends that play with Scorpion cues and none of them have had any warping problems. As with any piece of wood, if you abuse it by leaving it in your car or leaning it against a wall for weeks on end, it will warp. If you take proper care of your cue though, the fiberglass coating does seem to significantly reduce warping.
Published May 11th, 2008
in McDermott Cues.
McDermott MG02 - Genesis Series - Titanium Color
Overview: This is your standard base model McDermott. No frills, and I really mean no frills with this cue. You’ve got a black stained maple cue with an Irish Linen wrap. No inalys, no points, no designs. The cue has the standard McDermott features: Triangle tip, Impact Control Ring, Ivorine ferrule, etc.
The Specs:
Tip: 13mm Medium-hard Triangle Tip
Ferrule: Glued and screwed, Ivorine III
Shaft: 29″ hardrock maple, 10-12″ pro taper, French cue wax coating
Collar: Impact Control Ring made from a proprietary Polymer Matrix Composite
Joint: Composite
Pin: 3/8 x 10 Stainless Steel
Forearm: Black stained maple
Rings: None
Wrap: Irish Linen Wrap
Sleeve: Black stained maple
Plate: Black with McDermott emblem
Bumper: Black rubber
Best For:
Intermediate players
How it Plays:
Composite joint gives it a nice fluid feel. Harder to put English on the ball due to the dense Triangle tip.
Published May 11th, 2008
in McDermott Cues.
Overview:
McDermott’s ode to the Irish, the Dubliner features 12 inlaid malachite shamrocks in recon ivory diamonds. For good measure, they included a black Irish linen wrap with green flecks. The cue features a composite joint which provides a more fluid hit than steel jointed McDermott cues.
The Specs:
Tip: 13mm Medium-hard Triangle Tip
Ferrule: Glued and screwed, Ivorine III
Shaft: 29″ hardrock maple, 10-12″ pro taper
Collar: Impact Control Ring made from a proprietary Polymer Matrix Composite
Joint: Composite
Pin: 3/8 x 10 Stainless Steel
Forearm: Birdseye maple with six green Malachite shamrock inlays in Ivory diamonds in a recon ebony ring
Rings: 12 german nickel silver rings
Wrap: Black Irish Linen Wrap with green specks
Sleeve: Birdseye maple with six green Malachite shamrock inlays in Ivory diamonds in a recon ebony ring
Plate: White with McDermott emblem
Bumper: Black rubber
Best For:
Intermediate players
How it Plays:
Composite joint gives it a nice fluid feel. Harder to put English on the ball due to the dense Triangle tip.
Published May 11th, 2008
in Break Cues and Elite Cues.
The Elite “Banned” Break Cue
Overview:
It seems to be a matter of great contention when the discussion comes up about whether or not you should be breaking with a heavy cue. Some people feel that the extra weight means extra power, but the reality is that it depends on both the weight of the cue and the speed you’re hitting the cue ball with your breaker.
For those of you that feel like you really “need” a heavy cue, there is now a ridiculously heavy break cue from Elite. The one I tried out weighed in at a little more than 28oz. Honestly, it felt a bit silly hitting with this break cue, but it did seem like my break was quite a bit stronger with this cue than with my normal break cue. I then watched a couple of my buddies break with it and one ended up flying the cue ball off the table.
For me, I’m quite happy with my Predator BK2, however if you feel like you need to pack a little something extra, you might as well give the Elite breaker a try. You won’t have much control over your break, but you’re bound to hit the crap out of the ball.
The Specs:
Tip: 13mm Phenolic Tip
Ferrule: Phenolic
Shaft: 31″ hardrock maple, 13″ pro taper
Collar: Stainless Steel
Joint: Stainless Steel
Pin: Wood pin
Forearm: Black Maple
Rings: Stainless Steel
Wrap: Irish Linen Wrap
Sleeve: Black Maple
Plate: Steel
Bumper: Black rubber
Best For:
Casual players
How it Plays:
Very Stiff. Difficult to control.
