Use the Arrows on the cue to aim

[KeithinFrance]

But as far as I know, there is nothing in the textbooks regarding use of grain. You could argue from a purists point of view that grain should not be used to line up a shot, but that's not to say you are correct in saying that it does not help a lot of players. Sorry Keith we'll have to agree to disagree on this one mate. And also I don't believe that certain grain configurations are preferred by players purely for aesthetic reasons. Why do you think a Parris ultimate costs the extra for perfect 3 arrows? To look right? No, because when you sight a shot it helps some people to see the line in their peripheral vision. Each to their own though eh?

A Parris Ultimate with 3 perfect arrows costs extra because what you're paying for is the time taken to find, season and shape into a cue, not because it looks good, honest! But as you say, we can to agree to disagree, pal!

[Mr O]

Q-Why maple cues aren't made with lines on to aid sighting A-because so many people don't want them?
Keith, I'll re-phrase.. why does Parris consider the Ultimate Ash cue to be one with 3 perfect chevrons along the shaft? That has nothing to do with the level of work involved.
Don't know the top players to ask but notice how many have the forward points straight upwards. May be irrelevant maybe not, but I know a lot of decent players who do the same as me. Not saying I'm good, only had 1 century but play a lot more pool

[trevs1]

Is this thread still going?

[RGCirencester]

Yes we're still arguing trev

[noel]

Is this thread still going?

apparantly.

[trevs1]

I can see entirely where MrO is coming from, but, even though a great many players who use ash WILL use these markings to use as a reference point, there are aslo a fair old number that don't.

Where it gets a little bit daft, is when people are seeking these very very specific markings to the point of excluding many otherwise outstanding cues, made from the very best material, built and finished to the highest standards. This is kind of stupid to my mind, but, it takes all sorts I guess.


I am not for one moment saying that it does not make a difference for a player, it clearly does, BUT, only if it's something which that particular player has become accustomed to, and, find he/she likes to see on their cue shaft. It matters not one iota if the markings are there or not there in actual physical terms.

What I was referring to earlier in this thread, is the fact that numerous people who are looking into getting an ash shafted cue, will ask for these markings to be very specific, NOT because they've found THEY particularly like these markings on the shaft, BUT, ask for it because they "THINK IT'S WHAT THEY SHOULD HAVE".

That's why I said it appears to have become more and more 'fashionable' to ask for this.
In turn, this makes it more difficult to obtain sufficient quantity of shafts which actually display these characteristics.

If you had 20 blanks of very good quality timber, then, you were to round them all into shaft form, you'd be amazed at how many are not really that great when you judge them by these markings alone, even though they are still excellent shafts.

So, it WILL BE the case that these kinds of shafts command a premium, like in the Parris Ultimates mentioned earlier, or, Hunt/Osborne black plates etc etc etc.

It makes sense to use them in this way, simply because they are not easy to source and obtain, even from the best materials.

How good were Wales today eh???

[RGCirencester]

May i ask how you read trevs post if you'd really given up?
It does seem to have gotten a bit out of hand but i think me keith and mr o all want the last word

[KeithinFrance]

Keith, I'll re-phrase.. why does Parris consider the Ultimate Ash cue to be one with 3 perfect chevrons along the shaft? That has nothing to do with the level of work involved.
Don't know the top players to ask but notice how many have the forward points straight upwards. May be irrelevant maybe not

Steve, my old china, I don't know where you got that from, but John Parris doesn't think that the Ultimate cue has 3 perfect chevrons on it, it's that one of his Ultimate cues happens to have 3 perfect chevrons! The level of work is in selecting the wood, inspecting it all to find the squares with the straighest of grains, tapering down over a long period and working the wood to find a bit which happens to have, for example, 3 perfect chevrons! They also stock this wood, dry it to ensure it's perfect etc etc etc, so , once again, what we pay for is not the wood itself, but the time, knowledge, effort and skill of the cuemaker himself!

Concerning the chevrons straight upwards, it's more because the majority of players have the flat and badge pressing into their hand, so that they always hold the cue the same way, and most cues are made with the chevrons in line with the badge! It's as simple as that. It's about having habits, so's you know that everything's the same and you can just concentrate on your shot with no distractions!

[RGCirencester]

Just had to have the last word didn't you keith

[KeithinFrance]

God, you all type so fast! I was still writing a reply to Steve and you've written essays on the subject! Incidentally, I agree with Trev, both about the shafts and the rugby! Fair play to England, though, they were better than I thought they'd be. Oh, and did anyone see? Scotland scored another try!! That's 2 in 2 internationals!!! Must be a record under Hadden!

[RGCirencester]

lol i just sit with this open while watching tv.
I think we should insert trevs last post as the final word.

[KeithinFrance]

Just had to have the last word didn't you keith

No, I just type slowly and the kids are always hassling me!!!

[RGCirencester]

This could go on for a while... lol... I agree with trevor so should everybody. There we go a definitive answer that everyone can go along with.

[Mr O]

Steve, my old china, I don't know where you got that from, but John Parris doesn't think that the Ultimate cue has 3 perfect chevrons on it, it's that one of his Ultimate cues happens to have 3 perfect chevrons!

Errm no Keith I'll think you'll find that every single one of them have 3 perfect chevrons (i.e neat and evenly spaced) on at least the forward half of the cue. Quite clearly a very important factor in the Ultimate cue.

And Trev I think we've reached a compromise

[RGCirencester]

You definately havent given up on this thread yet lawyer!