What's the difference between one tip and another ?

[zigcue]

I've been wanting to post this question for awhile.

I would like opinions and facts on the different tips available for cues.

What the tip is made of ?
What it's supposed to do for me shooting wise? More English, softer hit, etc.
The differences between soft medium and hard?
Why people use the tips they use ?
Why should I choose for example a Moori, Lepro, Triangle, Elkmaster, Triumph, Tiger, or Water Buffalo etc.?
What criteria do you use to determine what tip to use ?

I know this may not make a difference to beginner players but, I personally do not know the differences and would like to experiment with different tips.

I hope this will be an educational thread for all of us.

I'm looking forward to the responses.

THNX

[scott13]

Good question! I did a little research before about this when I got my Predator P2. From what I learned, softer tips generally give you a little more control of the cue. You'll get a little better draw, a little more accuracy on your english, etc. Reason being, it doesn't allow the cue to transfer as much power into the hit on the cue, and the result is less deflection from the tip to the cue ball. The opposite is true for hard tips (usually used for breaking). You'll get a bit more deflection, but the tip allows more of the energy from the cue to transfer into the cue ball, result...a little more energy goes into the rack, spreading the balls a little more.

As for the manufacturer, that's a personal choice. I use LePro or Moori on my P2. I have a BK2 break cue, so there is no changing the tip!

[custmq]

Most playing tips are made of leather. They can either be layered (like plywood) or a formed pieced of solid leather. A lot of break cues have super-hard phenolic tips... they usually have a plastic sound to them when they hit the ball. As suggested previously, those are all about transferring maximum energy to the cue ball.

Layered playing tips like Moori, Kaumi, etc. usually come in a variety of hardnesses - soft, medium soft, medium, medium hard, hard, etc. Moori tips are very popular but Kamui is definitely growing in popularity. Tiger Sniper tips are also popular on the softer end of the spectrum. Water buffalo tips are normally among the hardest. The rest fall somewhere in between.

Tips are all about personal preference. Some people prefer a hard crisp hit... some favor a softer, quieter hit. To me the softer tips seem "grippier" than harder tips but they also feel a bit "mushy". Personally, I prefer a harder crisper hit. For me, harder tips provide more feedback and better feel. Softer tips feel muted. Also, I do not agree completely that softer tips generate more cue ball spin (draw better) than harder tips.

Softer tips do tend to mushroom and therefore require a bit more maintenance and shaping. Harder tips can get slippery as chalk gets packed into them and they require occasional scuffing. I guess both have advantages and disadvantages... again it comes down to preference.

PS. The tip actually has very little to do with cue ball deflection as suggested in previous post. Deflection is influenced almost exclusively by the mass and rigidity of the shaft (and ferrule).

[dalesrjr8]

i personaly like a med soft it does mushroom abit but it is pretty consentiently the same feel from when its new to when it needs to be changed, which i'm a liltte harder hitter so about 1 1/2 or 2 sessions. but it is all about what you feel most comfortable with.

[champkind whammy]

Most playing tips are made of leather. They can either be layered (like plywood) or a formed pieced of solid leather. A lot of break cues have super-hard phenolic tips... they usually have a plastic sound to them when they hit the ball. As suggested previously, those are all about transferring maximum energy to the cue ball.

Layered playing tips like Moori, Kaumi, etc. usually come in a variety of hardnesses - soft, medium soft, medium, medium hard, hard, etc. Moori tips are very popular but Kamui is definitely growing in popularity. Tiger Sniper tips are also popular on the softer end of the spectrum. Water buffalo tips are normally among the hardest. The rest fall somewhere in between.

Tips are all about personal preference. Some people prefer a hard crisp hit... some favor a softer, quieter hit. To me the softer tips seem "grippier" than harder tips but they also feel a bit "mushy". Personally, I prefer a harder crisper hit. For me, harder tips provide more feedback and better feel. Softer tips feel muted. Also, I do not agree completely that softer tips generate more cue ball spin (draw better) than harder tips.

Softer tips do tend to mushroom and therefore require a bit more maintenance and shaping. Harder tips can get slippery as chalk gets packed into them and they require occasional scuffing. I guess both have advantages and disadvantages... again it comes down to preference.

PS. The tip actually has very little to do with cue ball deflection as suggested in previous post. Deflection is influenced almost exclusively by the mass and rigidity of the shaft (and ferrule).



you said shaft!! ha ha

[Jobu's_empty_shot_glass]

i personaly like a med soft it does mushroom abit but it is pretty consentiently the same feel from when its new to when it needs to be changed, which i'm a liltte harder hitter so about 1 1/2 or 2 sessions. but it is all about what you feel most comfortable with.

A med/soft mushroomed tip :eek: now that's just wrong!!!

[rexkwondo]

Tips are what you prefer, not much else. Expensive tips are made of pig or water buffalo hide usually and are layered. Hard tips last longer resist mushrooming and require a little more scuffing. Soft tips deform but seem to not need scuffing as much. It all depends on if you play rocket pocket or are more of a finesse player that determines what kind of tip you should shoot with (and how often you feel like replacing your tip).

[Jobu's_empty_shot_glass]

I always thought you had to buy a new cue when the tip wore out??? you know...kind'a like when your car needs tires....off to the dealership!!!