Pool Cue Review

So Its Pool Cues You Be Wanting…

Archive for December, 2008

Review – Smart Wipes Shaft and Ferrule Cleaner

Wednesday, December 17th, 2008

Smart Wipes

What it is:

Box of 20 5″ x 9″ pre-treated wipes. These wipes are used for cleaning your shaft and ferrule, which as you know, get really filthy quite quickly from chalk. The manufacturer suggests that this is used to “deep clean” your pool cue shaft and ferrule and will leave your cue feeling smooth and new.

Pros:

They’re handy. The dispenser is easy to use. The cleaner itself isn’t messy like some other cleaners are.

Cons:

Maybe I just got a couple of bad batches, but there are some issues with this product. The towels seem to dry out very quickly. I’ve tested a few containers and every time the towels are pretty dry on the outset. The actual cleaning is superficial. It does get some of the grime off of the shaft and ferrule, but it doesn’t come anywhere close to giving a “deep clean”. In addition, at 10 bucks for 20 wipes, you’re looking at $.50 per wipe which isn’t exactly cheap. These are fine for cleaning in-between games, but for a deep clean, you’re best bet is to look elsewhere.  You’re much better off buying a Q-Wiz shaft cleaner instead.  They’re cheaper and last longer.

Buy Smart Wipes Shaft and Ferrule Cleaner

Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in Shaft Tools | No Comments »

Review – The Tip Pik

Sunday, December 14th, 2008
Tip Pik Tip Tool

The Original Tip Pik

I don’t care who you are, whether you’re just starting out or if you’ve been playing for years, every pool player simply must have a Tip Pik in their bag. There are a ton of tip scuffers out there, but the Tip Pik is in my opinion the single most important tool for any pool player. The whole idea behind it is that you puncture little holes in your tip which leads to better chalk retention. Some people will give it a little twist, but I’ve never found it necessary to do so.

The Tip Pik comes in a few flavors, including the Tip Pik Shadow where the needles are inverted and the Tip Pik Shadow Chalker which doubles as a pocket chalker. You can usually find any of these tools for around 15 bucks. The only downside to them is if you jab yourself with the needles, it doesn’t feel too good. The needles can also wreak havoc on your pants pockets if you leave it open.

Buy The Original Tip Pik

Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in Pool Cue Tip Tools | 2 Comments »

Review – The Moosehead Bridge

Saturday, December 13th, 2008

Moosehead Bridge

The Moosehead Bridge

If you’re looking for a versatile bridge, there are only two I would recommend. One is the Justa Bridge, but at around 30 bucks, its a bit more than most people (myself included) would like to spend. The other is the Moosehead Bridge. The original model for this was the Spinali bridge, but the Moosehead sells for a fraction of the price of the Spinali.

So what makes this a “must have” product you ask? Simply put, its all about the angles. The Moosehead gives you up to nine different angles, making it much more versatile than most traditional bridges. Its legal in pretty much every league and best of all, it typically sells for under 3 bucks.

The Moosehead isn’t without its faults. The biggest gripe I have with this bridge is that the plastic isn’t lined, so it could potentially scratch your shaft. The Justa Bridge is lined, giving your cue much more protection, but again, 30 bucks for a bridge is a bit tough to stomach.

Buy the Moosehead Bridge

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Billiards Bridges | No Comments »

Predator 314 Shaft Review

Thursday, December 11th, 2008

So here’s the deal. Yes, Predator makes a good cue. Yes, Predator shafts reduce deflection. Its been proven. Its a fact. Now that we’ve gotten that out of the way, the real question is whether or not it actually matters. For the average D Player, getting a Predator cue or adding a 314 shaft to your existing cue isn’t going to do much to improve your handicap. You’ll tell everyone that it made a difference and you’ll convince yourself that you made a great purchase, but the reality is that the average player won’t be able to tell the difference.

So, have I played with a Predator shaft? You know I have. I drank the Kool-Aid a while back, but that shaft didn’t help my game until I learned proper cue ball control. The whole reason the Predator shaft exists is to reduce the amount you have to correct when you shoot with English. Because there is less cueball deflection, the ball will go straighter even when you’re hitting with English.

If you don’t know how to hit with English, don’t bother buying a 314 shaft. Save your money, spend 30 bucks and get yourself a Rempe Training Ball. Then, once you’ve got the basics of English down, if you have a couple hundred bucks burning a hole in your pocket, go get yourself a 314. Personally, I wouldn’t bother with any of the cues from the 5K series. To me, they’re overpriced. I’d much rather get myself a Joss or Schon and put a 314 on it instead of dropping $700+ on something like the Predator IKON 4. Once you get your ball control down, I absolutely recommend getting a 314 shaft. You will notice a difference, but not until you really know how to play.

Buy the Predator 314 Shaft

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Performance Shafts, Predator Cues | No Comments »

Q-Wiz Shaft Cleaner Review

Tuesday, December 9th, 2008

Q-Wiz Shaft Polisher

There are tons of shaft cleaners out there, all claiming to be the best at getting out grime, chalk and oil out of your pool cue.  Some are good, some are worthless and some are actually harmful.  I’ve tried more of these things than I can count, but none even come close to the Q-Wiz Shaft Cleaner. To say I love this thing is the understatement of the year.

One side is rough for cleaning, the other is smooth for polishing. Unlike sandpapers, the rough side is completely safe for your cue shaft. The cleaning side is made of small crystals that do a hell of a job cleaning and according to the manufacturer, rubbing it on your cue shaft is the equivalent of rubbing a paper bag up and down your shaft.

The other side of the Q-Wiz is the polisher. This is simply a soft buffer that smooths your shaft further and gives is a nice, smooth stroke. This can be used either for a quick clean between racks or for some serious cleaning. Best of all, the disc is washable which means it can be used over and over again. For six bucks, this is one of the best purchases you can make for your pool cue.

Buy The Q-Wiz Shaft Cleaner

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Shaft Tools | 2 Comments »

« Older Entries