Carbon fiber or Wood pool cue shaft, Which is better and why?

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---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In this video, I cover some key points to consider when deciding between a Carbon Fiber shaft or a traditional Wood shaft. Both Carbon Fiber shafts and Wood Shafts have pros and cons and I am here to help you choose the right shaft for you.
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[@dsoar007]

I bought a predator revolver 12.9 tip. Many friends tried it and not one person liked it, Im an above average player, have had the cue three years and a month ago forgot my cue and had to use one off the rack. I could not believe how much more feel and control I had with the wood and it had slight warp. I ordered a wood predator to fit my butt and cant believe my improvement. Not dogging the carbon fiber and it might be the look, who knows.

[@dsoar007]

It was revo, spell check!

[@MrAndydavis78]

I don't know who you are, but damn you know your shit. Watching several of your videos now. Thank you for sharing your depth of knowledge.

[@CuemakersGuild]

Thank you very much. My name is Chris Walker, I have been building cue and studying cue mechanics for a little over 30 years now.

[@johngraves1216]

i have tried low deflection wood shafts, traditional maple and carbon. i love the power of the carbon. the wood has feedback the carbon does not provide though. after a few years of using the carbon shaft overall i prefer traditional maple for all the feel and feedback carbon lacks. perhaps not lacks but it translates so much differently through feel and sound.

[@CuemakersGuild]

I agree 100%

[@nokiaphone113]

To me, the feel is everything when I shoot. that's why I prefer wooden shaft than carbon fiber shaft. Right now, I use predator z3 S-tuned and I'm loving it. Thats being said, I wonder how Kielwood shafts feel since it should be the best of both worlds

[@TomChenLife]

The only reason I chose CF is because I hate, absolutely detest, how wood discolors at the shaft. lol…I’m too OCD about it.

[@TomChenLife]

Oh and I’m very clumsy…dropping my cue all the time. lol

[@CuemakersGuild]

Yes, the durability of Cf is a plus.

[@TGSA100]

再過10-15年，相信我，這種爭論將不再存在，新生代玩家會把Carbon當作球杆該有的樣子 你們只是剛好在世代交界的矛盾時期而已

[@Otingocni]

Recently came back to pool after a 25-year break. For me I would never go back to wood but I certainly understand people have preferences.

[@CuemakersGuild]

Thank you very much for watching!

[@anthonykeller5120]

I play in the Philippines. There are two reasons I like my Revo 11.8 over my 314 11.8. #1 - my 314 seems to collect dings along the shaft like honey does flies (I was diagnosed at eight years old as someone who is just very uncoordinated…lol). #2 - my Revo is very slick. This is very important with the heat and humidity here. I am constantly wiping my brow as the sweat rolls down into my eyes. I can wipe my hands and the shaft dry, which I cannot do to the 314 as the wood just seems to hold water. Players here are constantly using baby powder - I don’t need any with my Revo. It is very true that CF will NOT make you a better player than you are with wood. The only way I know to become a better player is spend more practice time on the table.

[@CuemakersGuild]

It is not true that Carbon Fiber makes you a better player but I do understand your humidity situation and why you prefer it more, Thank you for your comment.

[@anthonykeller5120]

@@CuemakersGuild Sorry, but my typing skills are not very good. I left out the very important NOT. I edited my answer to include what I really meant. Thanks for catching me on that.

[@AndyBuentello]

Why don't snooker player have a carbon cue?

[@CuemakersGuild]

This is a very good question!

[@Jungibär]

I think, that we're gonna see some snooker Player using Carbon shafts in the near future. But snooker has a pretty stable tradition, so Changes will take time!

[@JohnBowl14690]

Carbon Fiber is 10x better than wood. Just ask any top brand of cue manufacturering company. Now that said, how in the world did all those great players run all those racks before carbon fiber? Luck! How did Josh Filler just get beat by those players using wood in the last few months? Luck! Yes, I am being sarcastic. I believe Carbon and Wood are very equal. Both have their pros and cons. The best cue and shaft is the one you like the most.

[@CuemakersGuild]

Thank you very much for your reply, Much appreciated.

[@JohnBowl14690]

@@CuemakersGuild - Thanks for the very good video.

[@HillbillyIslandLife]

Ding Ding.....

[@dallasstone4416]

The only con I can find with carbon is the cost but it's not that much more than high end wood shafts. They don't warp, they don't ding and they're always smooth and slick. And, if built properly the lack of deflection is hard to match.

[@JohnBowl14690]

@@dallasstone4416 - I have two CF cues. A cheapie cuetec with cynergy shaft and a JFlowers $300 stick. Yeah, they are "arguably" better than wood, but I regret upgrading my Cuetec shaft. I wish I had the $400 back in my pocket. I use a glove and wood and CF both side fine. Sure CF slides a little better, but when it's all said and done, CF doesn't do much to cause me to win more games. For those that think it's worth the upgrade, great! For my game, it hasn't helped much. In fact, I go back between my old Cuetec wood shaft and my cynergy when I fall in a slump.

[@chriswhitten2350]

What do u think about a torrefied/kielwood shaft compared to wood and carbon fiber

[@CuemakersGuild]

Torrified or Roasted Maple was first introduced by Gibson guitars to deepen the tune of the fretboard. I think it is a solid process to create a shaft as well providing a stiffer hit and feel.

[@CuemakersGuild]

Keilwood shafts by nature will be slightly less deflection than a standard maple shaft. They are a great alternative between CF and standard maple.

[@richkaiser9453]

i use a plain maple shaft, laminated, and carbon fiber shaft, they all have a purpose, currently i use a plain maple shaft to break with, i shoot mainly with carbon but certain shots i go back to the laminated for

[@CuemakersGuild]

I would tend to agree that each type has a place.

[@millionairejh]

i remember them saying the carbon fiber shafts dont scratch easily and is more durable. when i got my first predator carbon fiber shaft, i got drunk and wacked the shaft on the side of the pool table. The shock caused the shaft to shatter. carbon fiber is really hard, but its also more brittle than wood. If i did that too wood, it most likely would have dented but flexed and not have broken.

[@tomburns890]

I’m 54 and too old ha to make a change to carbon. Besides I like and play great with my old school cue. Cheers

[@BrianWroolie]

I'd like to hear your thoughts on torrified maple shafts. great insights.

[@CuemakersGuild]

Great suggestion!

[@Gr1mTh3R34p3r]

I switched to carbon because I'm super anal about dents in my wood shafts. Putting my shaft and butt together I was putting dents in the wood shaft because of my wedding ring. I don't have to deal with that with my carbon shafts but I still break with both I do get a great break with good ole wood shaft.

[@Teenagewasteland1000]

i like both, i cant get used to breaking with carbon. always wanting to bend a cue. for playing its hard to choose. i got me a jacoby black v4 and it weighs in at 4.2 ounces well its 30 inch as well. feels great and consistent is what i like about it.

[@thedevilinthecircuit1414]

When I talk about spine on a wooden shaft, I always use the example of the Louisville Slugger baseball bat: always swing a bat with the label facing the sky. The label is stamped into the face grain, placing the spine in a horizontal orientation and making ball contact on the edge grain where the wood is stiffest and strongest. The ball flies farther and the bat doesn't break.

[@CuemakersGuild]

Very good analogy!

[@glockasauruswrex6362]

side benefit to spending the $$? ya tend to not bang your cue in the table very much! I went with a P3 Revo n never looked back. My 314 shaft got dinged up right away n i could feel it on every shot. Love the 11.8 shaft with a Mako Medium tip.

[@CuemakersGuild]

Thank you for your comment

[@billybob0913mn]

I can shoot very highly with wood and carbon fiber but I don’t get the feel or feedback with carbon fiber and I keep going back to wood. My favorite shaft for radial consistency is a predator but I prefer a stiffer punch on impact for more power. I know that keilwood has more of a punch power than a predator shaft so I’m trying to figure out if I want to try to find a keilwood shafts that’s constructed similar to a predator shaft or what to do. It seams as if creating a shaft with radial consistency in a keilwood shaft and then having it cored with a reduced mass ferrule would be the best of both worlds with more power than a low deflection maple shaft and a carbon fiber shaft or am I way on the wrong end of thinking?

[@CuemakersGuild]

In theory, You would be correct with this logic however, It would be much harder to produce a radially laminated shaft from torrefied wood. Possible, but harder. I am sure that this method will occur eventually in the near future.

[@HillbillyIslandLife]

Tried Kielwood, maple Is better.....

[@opinionsevrywhere]

I use a Muecci The PRO shaft. It's claim as to have a low mineral content soil where the tree was harvested. And this reduces the weight of the wood. The trees are also selected from dense growth where there are less branches that cause knots. When turning pens, cyanoacrylate glue is a good Protectant, sealant that is durable. I do not know how elastic it is or if a thin coat would crack? I was wondering how that would work as a sealant on wood shafts. Thanks for the videos!

[@BrianWroolie]

Here's a great topic I'd like to know your opinions on. Tip hardness as it relates to cue weight. I find that I prefer a softer tip with a lighter cue and harder tip with a heavier cue. I think this is because the extra weight combined with a harder tip yields a similar feeling as the softer tip on a lighter cue. I discovered this while playing with an 18oz cue using an ultra skin fire medium tip and it felt fine, but when I put an extension on back of cue the tip feedback felt softer. the extra weight with same stroke compresses the tip a touch more. Maybe this is why SVB plays with a hard tip.

[@CuemakersGuild]

In reality, there is no correlation between tip hardness and overall cue weight. one does not directly affect the other.with that being said, a heavier cue produces more power with less effort which can result in more spin when using a softer tip and vice versa.

[@neilgrowden4116]

👍 thanks for the info. I myself bought a carbon shaft and didn’t take to it.

[@CuemakersGuild]

You are more than welcome!

[@rolandoaravena1462]

Thanks for stirring the pot. You qualify a lot of views as, in your opinion and that why I appreciate your point of view. Thanks again, I sent you a little butter.

[@CuemakersGuild]

Your donation to our channel is very much appreciated! Thank you!🙂

[@jamesowem]

You know me give me my 30 year old 314,tried cf and didn’t like it at all,I have 5 almost brand new cf here and still went back to wood

[@HillbillyIslandLife]

DITTO........I can run racks with both but wood gives me my desired feel and spin. Good video!

[@albert333pool]

I'm curious to know what your favorite is? New subscriber and I'm gonna send a small donation.

[@CuemakersGuild]

Thank you very much for the donation! My personal preference is a solid wood shaft that has a ring count between 14-16 rings per inch.

[@markstepchuk2422]

The best info on your video, in my opinion, is that you stated the fact that quick adjustments are required to be made by the pool player in order to adapt and change over. This holds true for all aspects in the game from temperature, humidity, table and cloth conditions, and cleanliness of pool balls. The shooter holds his key to his or her game winning success through implementing good practices, making and playing drills. Great video that you put out. I like generally playing with the cartoon shaft after it took some time to

[@CuemakersGuild]

Thank you very much for your comment!

[@tylerspurgeon1972]

What about HCC like the mezz hybrid pro II? Or any other Carbon Cored shaft? Thoughts? I’m a wood shaft guy but curious about this.

[@millionairejh]

i feel like a pro of carbon fiber shafts is that start out as a hollow tube. this means that the cue maker has more control with how they want to weight the shaft. you can manipulate the balance and fillings of a carbon fiber much easier than wood.

[@billbrunson3800]

how are c f shafts weighted?

[@CuemakersGuild]

It really depends. Most are not weighted, but when weight needs to be added, it is done by placing a small weight bolt just in front of the threaded section of the joint area then the joint is threaded.

[@MikeWilson-fb6qv-mesa]

Good comparison. I use McDermott wood cue now. Do you have a website? Do you sell cues?

[@CuemakersGuild]

I am a cuemaker by trade, yes sir. You may find me on Facebook under Christopher Walker

[@MikeWilson-fb6qv-mesa]

Thanks Chris. Where do you get your wood for your cues? How long do you let them dry?

[@CuemakersGuild]

I aquire my wood from many places online and across the world. As far as how long I let it dry is sort of a broad question. I look for a moisture content of 8-9% before working with it.

[@MikeWilson-fb6qv-mesa]

How much would you charge some one for a good intermediate pool cue with no bells and whistles of inlays and stains?

[@barryclark2582]

Made my own cue . Damaged Joe Davis English snooker cue donated the maple shaft 3/5 cut stainless fittings and ferrule 9.5 mm length 59.5 inches, with kauri extension 9 inches solid red beech case . I've won several regional comps and lasted until the last 48 in the new Zealand national before i chocked up ( not the cues fault) favourite shots - full length stop , spinning out of snooker and big curves

[@CuemakersGuild]

Thank you for your comment

[@meuccimstr1]

I use cf for breaking like hitting with a steal stick makes balls explode but I love my meucci for control and have won many tournaments with the combo

[@CuemakersGuild]

I know a few players that do the very same thing.

[@anthonynasso7625]

Hey could you do a video on doing custom ring work and basically finishing a carbon fiber shaft from tube to finish.

[@CuemakersGuild]

Hi, This would be something that Ed, one of our partners on the channel, will need to address, but I will speak with him regarding this.

[@Ed-ts5vz]

I will be glad to cover the ring work. Will show the process of pressing the veneers as well as cutting the ring Billet and installing the veneers

[@andrewanglin]

Getting ring work on a CF isn’t a huge job. You just have to custom make the joint insert.

[@lanternman13]

I love both CF and wood. But I like them very thin at the top (10.5 mm).

[@CuemakersGuild]

Why such a small shaft diameter? Are you playing snooker or pocket billiards?

[@dryclimateutah]

I have a Meucci Carbon Pro and it flexes a lot when I apply English on a shot, So, that con is totally wrong on that list. Also, the carbon fiber is stronger front to back, and flexes left to right, but if you have a fast side impact. (Like let's say you have a small temper tantrum and smack the side of your shaft up against a ball--it can snap the end of the shaft off cleanly like you had broken a piece of glass). Also, Fiberglass is not the same as Carbon Fiber. I've owned wood, fiberglass, carbon fiber and kielwood shafts. I like the carbon fiber and the kielwood the best. The kielwood is stiffer than the carbon fiber. (I have a 11.75 mm tip on the carbon fiber and it can be really flexible when shooting with power and using a lot of English--I don't like this "quality" of the hit.) Which is why I'm trying out my kielwood shaft since it's much stiffer and still very low deflection.

[@CuemakersGuild]

No sir, not wrong. If you noticed, I state that it had minimal flex in comparison to wood, but thank you for your comments, and thanks for watching as well.

[@anthonykeller5120]

I have a Revo 11.8 and a 314 11.8 cue. I have taken videos of myself shooting face on to see my stroke with both shafts. The flex on my 314 shaft shocked me the first time I saw it. I see very little flex on the Revo shaft - there is some, but not like the 314.

[@beaumont6751]

Chris-in-PNW • 1y ago Carbon fibre was introduced to sports to reduce weight, pool cues never needed their weight reduced. Cuetec started the composite fad with their fiberglass over wood cues, which were supposed to not be prone to warping. (Quality cues stored properly aren't prone to warping, so it was a solution in search of a problem.) Cuetecs were widely considered to be garbage by experienced players, but Cuetec kept selling them, and sponsored Earl Strickland to lend credibility. The transition to carbon fiber was probably partly about weight, but also about marketing.

[@CuemakersGuild]

Thank you for your comment but you have a few inconsistencies in your statement. In 1987 an engineer from Taiwan named Jones Chang who had worked in the Tennis industry involved in manufacturing wood rackets clad in graphite showed some cue stick samples at the Billiard Expo that year using the same technology. The technology along with outstanding cue design led to the birth of Cuetec Cues. GRAPHITE is a form of carbon fiber and has evolved into the sheet form that we see today in the current carbon fiber cues.

[@MrEerwin]

While a 'good cue' may not need to have its weight reduced, I, on the other hand, *might* need to have a good cue's weight/balance point changed to accommodate my game or my learning about the game. ...just sayin'. Also, as Chris's through and thoughtful content points out, a lot of carbon's value comes through its other characteristics, like its feel against a glove, etc..

[@robertmiller4217]

we should all be donating a bit. is it only PayPal?.. just curious

[@CuemakersGuild]

You may donate via PayPal or you can click the $ under the video.

[@robertmiller4217]

i have a custom carbon fiber shaft that is the same weight as my wood shaft. is that strange? the balance point is in the exact same place with either shaft. wasn't cheap.. but i def like the carbon better.. i've had to get used to tho

[@CuemakersGuild]

If weighted properly, this can be achieved.

[@robertmiller4217]

@@CuemakersGuild I played with a SVB for a little while to compare. To me I like my stick better. i found the cuetek a bit "whippy" -- i could get more english on it than my stiffer personal cue.. but like you said it just depends on what you like. sometimes i put my maple shaft on and im just off... i don't know that i could explain why.. its weird.. was a tough transition but now im happier with carbon.. but id choose my maple shaft over the cuetek 🤷‍♂️.

[@mrwright8353]

Are you Krown Custom Cues?

[@CuemakersGuild]

Yes, I am.

[@charlesaston9892]

Krown cues are great cues and as stated wood cues and shafts properly constructed make for very good play. It is up to the player to choose which they can adjust to the best 😊

[@CuemakersGuild]

@charlesaston9892 Thank you very much for your comment! 🙂💯

[@PaulCourville]

You nearly instantly copped out of making a decision about the two types of shafts by saying “it’s really up to you to decide” ok, so why watch the rest of the video? Next is pretty much simple logic…who are the greatest players who’ve ever lived and what kind of shafts did they use? Done…

[@CuemakersGuild]

I provide the information to make that logical decision, that's all.

[@fedup7416]

@@CuemakersGuild Pay no attention to that guy, there is one in every crowd.

[@dd0ck]

Love the discussion. I agree 100%. I tried a few CF shafts and settled back on a Kielwood shaft made by Mike Gulyassy. Took me a while to adjust to CF, and then time to adjust back, but I don’t miss CF. Kielwood is a good middle ground between CF and maple. Stays clean, and I have a larger diameter shaft so it has power. Do you think snooker will ever adopt CF?

[@CuemakersGuild]

Thank you for watching, please subscribe and share with your friends. I do not think snooker will ever adopt Carbon Fiber.