Custom Made Pool Cues - Cue Shafts

Most people who spend a lot of time playing pool and have already invested in custom made pool cues understand that the right cue can mean the difference between winning and losing. Although there are many things that affect how a cue plays, the most noticeable is the type of shaft. Different cue shafts are made to fit different playing styles. This difference is largely concentrated in how the shaft tapers, which makes the cue either stiffer or more flexible. Stiffer cues give the player more control and the ability to repeat shots more consistently. Cues that are more flexible, while they aren't quite as controllable, give more action. The cue that a player prefers depends on how they play the game.

While some custom pool cue makers may have their own special style, there are several different ways that cue shafts can taper, but the most common are the European taper and the pro taper. The European taper is consistent from the tip to the joint, and this type of cue tends to be stiffer. In spite of its name, it is actually most common in North America. A shaft that uses a pro taper is the same diameter until about 10 to 14 inches from the tip, at which point it gradually widens towards the joint. This type, as a general rule, is the most flexible. However, this can change if the shaft it coated. Although it is called a pro taper, not all professional players use this type.

In addition to these two main types, there are other ways that cue shafts can taper. Some taper slowly at first and then more sharply as they approach the joint. The stiffness of these differs depending on how sharp the tapers are. Other shafts have many different tapers from the tip of the cue to its joint. These shafts also have different flexibilities, depending on the amount of change in the tapers.

Another factor that can affect the stiffness or flexibility of cue shafts is the size of the joint. It can be anywhere from .8 to .88 inches, with .84 being the most common size. If all aspects of two cues are the same, the one with thicker joint will usually be stiffer and the one with the thinner joint will usually be more flexible. But in pool cues, there are no absolutes. There is no one type of cue, or no one amount of flexibility, that works for all players. A player just has to experiment until they find their personal best style.

To learn a bit more, go to this website: custom made pool cues