Cue Tip Primer

With so many cue tips on the market today and new ones being introduced as "the ultimate tip" to use, it's no wonder these questions pop up so many times.

My opinions and conclusions should in no way be construed as "gospel" or "absolute." They are based on my many years of playing pool and replacing cue tips. Probably the most important information I can share is the feedback I get from other players. Naturally I'll expect some disagreement. That's OK. There is more than one way to get from point A to point B. That's what makes the world go round.

Let's start by talking about synthetic (phenolic) tips, which are great for break and jump shots. And unless you're a very good player, synthetic tips are about the best for these types of shots because they are made from very hard materials. When the cue tip strikes the cue ball, it literally makes the ball take off like a rocket. But watch out - some of these tips made from phenolic material are illegal for tournament play. One such tip is the Black Future. If you don't plan on playing in tournaments where these tips are illegal, it's the best way to go for break and jump shots. However, I have not found a hard synthetic tip that was good for all-around play.

Most cue tips found today are made out of various hides of leather, which are cured by the manufacturers' "secret process." They are either punched out and shaped at the same time by using a concave tool, or they are given their dome shape on top at a later time. One big drawback is that when they are punched out, they are harder around the outside edge than in the middle. After playing and breaking with these tips for a while they may begin to "mushroom." Mushrooming occurs when the middle of the tip gets compressed and pushes the edge of the tip out over the ferrule to resemble a mushroom. There are tools that are made to remove the protruding leather, but be very careful when using one. Most contain a sharp razor edge that can easily damage the ferrule if not used correctly. To help minimize the mushroom effect, press the tip in a small vise before installing it on the cue.

I have listed information about some of the more popular tips that I hope will help you the next time you replace your tip:

• LePro: Manufactured by Tweeten, the LePro is probably the most popular tip in the world. This tip is considered to be medium hard and is the benchmark by which other tips are judged. Anything softer is said to be medium or soft, and anything harder is considered hard. The LePro is a fine tip that moves the cue ball well and is great for shot-making accuracy, which is probably why it is "original equipment" on many cues. The only downside is that it can contribute to the occasional miscue and will probably mushroom if not pressed before installation.
   
• Elk Master: Another fine tip made by Tweeten that is considered to be the world's most popular soft tip. Being soft, it grips the ball well and is less prone to miscues. On the other hand, they are less accurate on long shots and they tend to mushroom and wear down faster than harder tips. This is a good tip for beginners.
   
• Triangle: Like the LePro, this tip is also made by Tweeten. It is a coarse, chrome tanned leather tip, considered to be a little harder than the LePro tip but less likely to miscue. Just a little scuff with a piece of course sandpaper will expose the tiny hairs on the surface that will hold the chalk well and therefore cause fewer miscues. Less miscues = less misses = less games lost. A good tip for the average and more advanced players who like a solid tip.
   
• Moori & Kamui: Moori and Kamui tips are layered tips made from pig skin. Among all others, they're a very popular choice of the pros. They both come in soft, medium and hard tips. In my opinion these two are the best tips on the market. But be prepared - they are also two of the most expensive to buy.

Carlos is a long time player and cue repair technician with a focus on maintaining shafts and tips. He makes his home in New Mexico and can be found at his website: poolhustlin.com. Thanks Carlos for the submission.