Which chalk

[Beastier]

Firstly I'll qualify my position before adding in my twopenneth.....I play at no level at all, I love snooker but I've never been any good at it. Recently my son has started playing which has rekindled my interest and for the last few months I've been playing 1-2 hours most days a week. So others amongst you that play at serious levels I'm sure are far more knowledgeable than I...

However...I bought a box of the grey master chalk. It's very reasonably priced and plays well enough - can't say I noticed many miscues, kicks, etc. However I found it quite a dirty chalk to use as it leaves a lot of residue on the table and I didn't realise how much it was clogging my tip up until my local cue people cleaned it up for me. I was also getting through a block every two weeks.

I'm having the odd lesson with a local pro and he recommended I switch to the Taom V10 - it's pricey but doesn't make any mess on the table and the fibres/strands on my tip still tend to be visible and so I'm happy it's not clogging. Regarding the price, apparently it will last me 12 months - so far I've only had it for a month or so but there's no real visible signs that it's been used as regularly as it has.

[fkhan]

Firstly I'll qualify my position before adding in my twopenneth.....I play at no level at all, I love snooker but I've never been any good at it. Recently my son has started playing which has rekindled my interest and for the last few months I've been playing 1-2 hours most days a week. So others amongst you that play at serious levels I'm sure are far more knowledgeable than I...

However...I bought a box of the grey master chalk. It's very reasonably priced and plays well enough - can't say I noticed many miscues, kicks, etc. However I found it quite a dirty chalk to use as it leaves a lot of residue on the table and I didn't realise how much it was clogging my tip up until my local cue people cleaned it up for me. I was also getting through a block every two weeks.

I'm having the odd lesson with a local pro and he recommended I switch to the Taom V10 - it's pricey but doesn't make any mess on the table and the fibres/strands on my tip still tend to be visible and so I'm happy it's not clogging. Regarding the price, apparently it will last me 12 months - so far I've only had it for a month or so but there's no real visible signs that it's been used as regularly as it has.

One master chalk in two weeks. I think you are over-chalking the tip. Yes, the master and triangle chalks leave residue on the table. Try the Russian magic chalk. I bought it for 15 quid inc del for two pieces. You need to chalk once every 15 or 20 shots.

[Beastier]

One master chalk in two weeks. I think you are over-chalking the tip. Yes, the master and triangle chalks leave residue on the table. Try the Russian magic chalk. I bought it for 15 quid inc del for two pieces. You need to chalk once every 15 or 20 shots.

Great thank you - I'll give it a go when next purchasing, I've seen quite a few positive comments regarding the Russian Magic.

[DeanH]

I also think you are either chalking too heavily or too often; BUT probably both

I find the Triangle Spruce chalk (not the "light green" or commonly called "Green" AND not the new "Pro chalk") does NOT leave lots of mess and also give (to me anyway) good feel on the tip. Good for pressed tips, not so on laminate ones.
Unfortunately the spruce can be difficult to find in the UK

[fkhan]

I also think you are either chalking too heavily or too often; BUT probably both

I find the Triangle Spruce chalk (not the "light green" or commonly called "Green" AND not the new "Pro chalk") does NOT leave lots of mess and also give (to me anyway) good feel on the tip. Good for pressed tips, not so on laminate ones.
Unfortunately the spruce can be difficult to find in the UK

Yeah. The light green one is more common here too. A lifetime supply of spruce here, provided its genuine.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/113637877...sAAOSw~wZeb4A1

[DeanH]

yeah. The light green one is more common here too. A lifetime supply of spruce here, provided its genuine.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/113637877...saaosw~wzeb4a1

lol!

.....

[Beastier]

Thanks guys all good info - a coach told me it's good to chalk before each shot as a means of habit as this forces you to slow down and have a look at the table and less likely to rush getting straight down into the next shot

[Nifty50]

Thanks guys all good info - a coach told me it's good to chalk before each shot as a means of habit as this forces you to slow down and have a look at the table and less likely to rush getting straight down into the next shot

100% agree. I definitely need something to slow me down between shots. Have started counting to ten which helps but chalking my cue would help as well. Since COVID I’m finding it very difficult to get back to a regular shot routine. I’m all over the place and have become very much a jabber.

[DeanH]

Thanks guys all good info - a coach told me it's good to chalk before each shot as a means of habit as this forces you to slow down and have a look at the table and less likely to rush getting straight down into the next shot

yep that is sound advice
but did he tell you to grind the poor lump of chalk to dust for every shot
I bet you would not do it so much with a £20 lump of Taom or however much it is nowadays!

[Beastier]

yep that is sound advice
but did he tell you to grind the poor lump of chalk to dust for every shot
I bet you would not do it so much with a £20 lump of Taom or however much it is nowadays!

In fairness to me he didn’t tell me NOT to grind the chalk…

I applied the master grey yes plentifully but only gently rolled around the tip…I just find it comes away from the block very easily and leaves a lot of residue.

[DeanH]

In fairness to me he didn’t tell me NOT to grind the chalk…

I applied the master grey yes plentifully but only gently rolled around the tip…I just find it comes away from the block very easily and leaves a lot of residue.

IIRC
master chalk and specifically grey is very soft and dusts easily.

[Achamian]

I use Tweenten Triangle chalk but only the Spuce colour, no other

That is interesting. I have only ever used the green triangle chalk.

What's the spruce one like for leaving marks on the cloth?

Because the green one leaves a lot of marks.

At least it does when I'm playing. lol. (I'm not a particularly good player. )

[tomwalker147]

Personally i'm using V10 chalk and have been since October time, i've not had many kicks but then I don't think i've ever really had many kicks regardless of the chalk i've used over the years.
The benefit i can see is the V10 lasts a long time and does leave the table looking nice and clean BUT in terms of playability i'm still not convinced it's better of worse than triangle.

[DeanH]

That is interesting. I have only ever used the green triangle chalk.

What's the spruce one like for leaving marks on the cloth?

Because the green one leaves a lot of marks.

At least it does when I'm playing. lol. (I'm not a particularly good player. )

In my opinion after using Triangle spruce for many many years - goes onto the pressed tip (not brilliant on a laminate) very easily and stays there, does not dust up, barely marks the cue ball and cloth.
The spruce is a different animal compared to the Green or Blue Triangle - for the better

[Achamian]

In my opinion after using Triangle spruce for many many years - goes onto the pressed tip (not brilliant on a laminate) very easily and stays there, does not dust up, barely marks the cue ball and cloth.
The spruce is a different animal compared to the Green or Blue Triangle - for the better

Excellent. Thank you. 👍

I will get some and give it a go.