Grain On Ash Cues

[archalf1471]

i was just wondering why it is that a lot of people get hung up on a must have " straight grain or tight grain" when buying an ash shafted cue?

I would think it would only apply if ( and this is probably rare) you turn the cue sideways and sight down the lines of the grain when cueing, rather than probably the majority of us who use the chevrons/arrows to aid sight?

I would have thought it more of a "must" to have nice even sharp arrows on the cue if you use any of the markings at all to aid sighting?

Over to you guys....

[The Doctor]

well if a cue has been turned well and it is a nice straight grain. you would have even arrows along the cue. probably why most people seek this.

[hotmog]

For the arrows to be evenly-spaced, it follows that the grain lines should all be the same distance apart and run parallel to each other. The number of arrows there are along the shaft will depend on the spacing between the grain lines and their angle relative to the shaft taper. The tighter the grain, the more arrows you will get. Most ash shafts have the arrows pointing one way towards the tip, but I've seen some (not sure if John Higgins' cue is one) where they also point the other way at the bottom end of the shaft. Personally I think I would find that rather distracting.

On another site it states that "The grain should not be too wide: about ten grain lines to the inch (four to the centimetre) looks good and is sufficient to supply the required shaft strength". It doesn't say what the consequences might be if the grain is wider apart than that, but it seems to imply that shaft strength (is that the same as stiffness?) increases proportionately with grain line density. Elsewhere I seem to recall reading that 6 arrows along the shaft is considered to be the ideal number, but whether this is on aesthetic or performance grounds I have no idea.

For the record, I've just measured the grain on my JP Special. It has 8-9 grain lines per centimetre, with 16 arrows pointing up the shaft, all evenly-spaced. Overall that suggests a grain density more than twice what seems to be considered the norm. Appearance-wise I love it, and it doesn't seem to be stiffer nor any whippier than other cues I've tried with more conventional grain patterns.

Aesthetics aside, what differences in performance characteristics, if any, can be attributed to having a higher or lower grain density on an ash shaft?

[trevs1]

For the arrows to be evenly-spaced, it follows that the grain lines should all be the same distance apart and run parallel to each other. The number of arrows there are along the shaft will depend on the spacing between the grain lines and their angle relative to the shaft taper. The tighter the grain, the more arrows you will get. Most ash shafts have the arrows pointing one way towards the tip, but I've seen some (not sure if John Higgins' cue is one) where they also point the other way at the bottom end of the shaft. Personally I think I would find that rather distracting.

On another site it states that "The grain should not be too wide: about ten grain lines to the inch (four to the centimetre) looks good and is sufficient to supply the required shaft strength". It doesn't say what the consequences might be if the grain is wider apart than that, but it seems to imply that shaft strength (is that the same as stiffness?) increases proportionately with grain line density. Elsewhere I seem to recall reading that 6 arrows along the shaft is considered to be the ideal number, but whether this is on aesthetic or performance grounds I have no idea.

For the record, I've just measured the grain on my JP Special. It has 8-9 grain lines per centimetre, with 16 arrows pointing up the shaft, all evenly-spaced. Overall that suggests a grain density more than twice what seems to be considered the norm. Appearance-wise I love it, and it doesn't seem to be stiffer nor any whippier than other cues I've tried with more conventional grain patterns.

Aesthetics aside, what differences in performance characteristics, if any, can be attributed to having a higher or lower grain density on an ash shaft?

None whatsoever.

[hotmog]

None whatsoever.

Excellent! I expected that to be the case, but wasn't 100% sure

[Son of Cliff]

Just out of curiousity what makes some ash cues whippy and some not?

[trevs1]

Just out of curiousity what makes some ash cues whippy and some not?

Soft timber, timber with too much moisture, too much weight towards the ends of the cue (usually butt, though sometimes the shaft), overly thin taper through the shaft, cue length.

Generally, it's due to one of these.

[Son of Cliff]

Soft timber, timber with too much moisture, too much weight towards the ends of the cue (usually butt, though sometimes the shaft), overly thin taper through the shaft, cue length.

Generally, it's due to one of these.

Cheers Trevor but does the moisture get stuck in the wood unable to escape? and if it dried out would the cue become stiffer because of it.

[trevs1]

i was just wondering why it is that a lot of people get hung up on a must have " straight grain or tight grain" when buying an ash shafted cue?

I would think it would only apply if ( and this is probably rare) you turn the cue sideways and sight down the lines of the grain when cueing, rather than probably the majority of us who use the chevrons/arrows to aid sight?

I would have thought it more of a "must" to have nice even sharp arrows on the cue if you use any of the markings at all to aid sighting?

Over to you guys....

I think it's as much an aesthetic thing as anything else, because there's no noticeable benefit in having a shaft with any specific number of growth rings (or grain lines) per inch. The other point I'd say affects this choice is the belief that straighter grain equals a more stable shaft, resulting in less chance of bending.

It's not entirely a rare thing to find players who pefer to look down the side grain (straight lines) of an ash shaft when cueing, in fact, it's pretty common.
As you rightly say though, many seem to prefer the distinctive chevron marking an ash shaft will often display, though in my opinion, this is as much a fashion thing as anything else. It could perhaps be argued that many players will demand this type of grain pattern simply because they feel it's the best thing to have, when in reality they have no real preference themselves.

What possibly affects a players choice as to what they sight down when using an ash shaft is more a matter for how they grip the cue. A fair number of players will tend to grip the cue with the flat of the butt consistantly in the same part of their hand, facing their knuckles, or, under their fingertips for example. This is maybe something which they did subconsciously when they first start playing, and is then a habit that continues throughout their playing days, who knows. Many though will deliberatly hold the cue with the flat of the butt (or name plate side) facing upwards, so they can sight down this chevron marking mentioned earlier.

The bizarre thing is, that when playing, and, using correct sighting techniques, the eyes shouldn't even be looking at the shaft of the cue at all, (bar the tip to the white) yet the grain in an ash shaft remains a big sticking point for many many players.

Just my view on it.

[trevs1]

Cheers Trevor but does the moisture get stuck in the wood unable to escape? and if it dried out would the cue become stiffer because of it.

It can improve it, but not to a massive degree.

I'm not speaking of dripping wet to bone dry, but excess moisture can have a fairly serious effect on shaft stiffness.

[matt01]

hi

I hold the cue with the label facing up on every shot, however I never look at the shaft. I like an ash cue purely because it looks nicer that a maple.

[enginearin]

The bizarre thing is, that when playing, and, using correct sighting techniques, the eyes shouldn't even be looking at the shaft of the cue at all, (bar the tip to the white) yet the grain in an ash shaft remains a big sticking point for many many players.

I totally agree with Trevor here... I have never noticed the grain on the shaft (chevrons or otherwise) when sighting a shot.

I hold the cue with my fingertips on the flat of the butt. I have a cue on order with Trevor at the moment (is it nearly ready Trevor? ) and have not asked him to arrange chevrons or grain to suit as it is completely irrelevant to my game!

[Son of Cliff]

I totally agree with Trevor here... I have never noticed the grain on the shaft (chevrons or otherwise) when sighting a shot.

I hold the cue with my fingertips on the flat of the butt. I have a cue on order with Trevor at the moment (is it nearly ready Trevor? ) and have not asked him to arrange chevrons or grain to suit as it is completely irrelevant to my game!

It might not be irrelevant but I hope you dont start thinking about this thread when using your new cue

[enginearin]

It might not be irrelevant but I hope you dont start thinking about this thread when using your new cue

Itchy fingers crossed

8 weeks of anticipation down... only a little bit to go (eh Trevor )

[poolqjunkie]

I wonder why would John Higgins want the arrows to go toward him with the badge facing up? Does that mean he looks at the arrows on his shaft when he sights?