I picked up a Viking with opal inlays worth 380 for 200 new. Bought from local pool pro shop where I shoot regularly. Shot with house cues for decades until I finally got tired of wasting time picking out ones with good tips and rolling them to check for straightness.
I have the FK version of this cue. I wrote my own analysis of it. In short, I think it's an excellent progression cue for players looking for that next step into a performance cue without breaking the bank. Mine is at 19oz, which is comfortable for me. The tip size is a tad too large. I prefer 12.5 and below. The Everest is a decent tip, but I do prefer the Sniper over it.
I'm new to pool and only use sticks that are available. I'm looking to buy my first cue with out breaking the bank. Are there any more options or suggestions?
If you start with this!!! You won’t be disappointed!!! I started with those cheap amazon finds and was not pleased with the learning curve of why I need a quality (yet affordable) cue!!! This made life so much easier Hahahha
@@elidavila2258 I bought the stick yesterday. My local billiard store charged me $230. It was well worth it. I won my little $5 entry tournament last night for the first time.
Hi Karl, would you mind doing a telling us about the current condition of it? As you said the only thing that concerned you was how the cue would play after 12 to 18 months. P.S: I had purchased one of these and it's almost 20 months old now, so getting your opinion might help me validate my cue as well
I have had mine for about a few months and I usually have a glove because of my sweaty hands in the summer but when your hands are dry it’s very smooth, I like it since I’ve been playing with it like 7 hours a day almost everyday it’s not bad for it’s price yet I have still never used a cue with a expensive shaft, expect for trying some friends cues but couldn’t tell you since I’ve never played with them for more than an hour.But overall I’m liking it but I like full wood feel cause my first cue is a Viking Valhalla the shaft is fine but it’s got a very stiff hard hit like not like a smooth stiff hard hit if you know what I mean. The avid shaft is nice in my opinion it’s got a nice smooth stiff hit. My next cue I wanna try is a Joss hp shaft. Also with the cleaning part you don’t really need to clean it but playing with it for quite a while, wipe it down with a dry towel or use alcohol wipes but overall seems to stay pretty clean.
I love my J pechauer. I shot with viking from the day i started until just a year ago. My dad bought me my first viking and i just kept with them. They are nice but i always didnt like the extreme taper on then shaft. My carbon fiber rogue shaft 11.8 that came with my J pechauer is amazing the tip it came with is amazing. Unfortunately it is such an expensive shaft. I think the shaft alone is 450 bucks.
Got ya beat Karl! Dare ta to highlight this one. I Bought a 314-3 & it warped in 2 weeks. They wouldn't replace it because I put a different tip on it. They first tried to blame the tip? Then fell back on the claim that a tip done by anyone but Predator, voids the warranty? So, I have a $300 back scratcher! And I've spent over 8k on Predator products in the last 2 years. Im Switching cues
Can one do an aftermarket tapering? most of the players that play with a closed bridge need a tapered shaft... 00:43 say that again bruv, that ko pin-yi, 30k usd ZEN cue, that Peri Duke Aquitaine of Jason Shaw - 6k usd...just sayin.
I just bought a FK cuetec cue today! Okay okay. But what does low deflection mean!? I played a couple racks with it just to make sure I liked it and I do. It’s something considered “low end” but is great for the price.
For me .... I must say ---- I've never ever been concerned nor interested in the inlays and such in the butts; it's the construction itself. Now, I can see concerns about the coatings, yes --- but, you have coatings over the inlays too .... sooooooo !!!! I feel that no matter whether it be paint, decals, inlays --- it's the coating that is concern; yep, I get that but how do you treat a cue??? Is it due to cost for the way you treat your equipment? Now, shafts -- Yes! But a playing shaft shouldn't be effected so much due to regular play but a break shaft may be of worry simply due to the "strike"/impact. Exotics = $$$ (truly, is there a need), of course referencing wood here. CF is a bit different for price variance for the time, yet - price should come down a good bit in general as it becomes more common! Nothing derogatory or negative at all toward anyone or any product!!! Only putting in my 2 cents, just sayin' :) --- caveat >>> not affected by inflation!
Thanks for the good content Karl! I do have 1 question since im planning on buying this cue. Does it have the new cuetec joint size? What i mean by that is will it fit the cynergy 15k which has a 21.3mm joint as long as i know... Would be happy to know since i cant get any information anywhere.
@@KarlBoyesPoolLife Yeah i know that 😀 im just asking because i already own a cynergy cue but i cant find information about joint size on the avid. Thanks for the fast reply
Hey Karl, can you please share your thoughts on the 3/8 x 14 joint as I am not familiar with it. Is female thread cut directly into the shaft (wood) or does the shaft feature an insert material like phenolic, plastic or metal? Thank you!
This is a replay to a message here, I post it again if anyone can help me: I just received a brand new Cuetec Avid Era cue 12.75mm and I'm a bit dissapointed. First of all they sent me the shaft bended, it played ok but hey, it's a new cue so shaft MUST be straight. Cuetec replaced the shaft, hats off for them. But then the nightmare. It vibrates... a lot. It sounds like a spring when I hit a ball with spin, in Europe is way more expensive that in the USA. I don't know what to do, It's hard to get used to this awful vibration. What is you expert opinion? Thank you.
Hey Karl, late to the party but I got a couple questions and hope you can help a banger out 😁 I'm currently using a Poison cue with a Venom 2 shaft, Do you know how the avid shaft compares to them Venom? And if you were me, would you spend the money on an upgrade shaft (ie 314) or buy the Avid (complete cue) with a second avid shaft , for basically a few dollars more. I've been playing with a 12mm shaft , ended up breaking the ferrule and went to my spare 13mm shaft, and I just can't get back to form with the 13mm. Money is an issue, so , if you were me, complete Avid with spare shaft, or getting a higher end LD shaft ? Ps; you and Niels are the BEST commentary duo!! Keep doing what you do and all the best ! 👍
Hey I think if you like 12mm you should stick to that tbh, also the avid shaft is actually a good shaft, For the money it’s been better to be honest 😆 Thanks for the nice words too 💪🏻 appreciate it
@@KarlBoyesPoolLife Thanks for the advice! I ended up with an i3 shaft on my Sledgehammer butt 🤣🤣🤣. I love the i3 shaft though, now just need something for the bottom half, lol. Cheers man! Thanks for the reply. All the best and good rolls for ya!!!! 👊
@@KarlBoyesPoolLifeMany people complain about Avid shafts that often vibrate. so I hesitate to buy it. when you try the test shot. do you feel the same??
@@antondeannova7016 I just received a brand new Cuetec Avid Era cue and I'm a bit dissapointed. First of all they sent me the shaft bended, it played ok but hey, it's a new cue so shaft MUST be straight. Cuetec replaced the shaft, hats off for them. But then the nightmare. It's true what you say, it vibrates... a lot. It sounds like a spring when I hit a ball with spin, in Europe is way more expensive that in the USA. I don't know what to do, It's hard to get used to this awful vibration.
Karl I know it's been 4 months and I'm late to the party brother but I appreciate all that you do. You and Niels are, by far, the BEST commentators... Now, I had a question. In these 4 months, have you noticed any degradation with the cue? Planning to buy this. Thanks in advance, mate!
Hey Karl, I really like this cue, my only concern it's about that "super straight taper", I play a lot with closed bridge and pro taper is normally a must for me, I see you shooting some shots with closed bridge, how do you feel about the "travel" when you're aiming and how about the final stroke? Thanks man sorry I'm late at the video, I just start to follow your channel because I type karl boyes on YT to see your matches with darren at wcop. You guys are dangerous xd
@@KarlBoyesPoolLife well thanks, I think I'm not gonna resist to try it xd, good luck tomorrow dude, what a surprise, you guys supose tu be "out of work" because you're not playing tournaments. Really funny the way you guys look to each other at the end of every match like "darren Idk what the fuck we're doing here but I think we're gonna bring back home the cup" hahahaha good luck, fingers crossed.
You can get a Joss and have a real cue for the same money that will last a lifetime. When you want an upgrade figure out what you like. Upgrade the shaft with an aftermarket product (the joss isn't LD. ...also LD is not necessary) I've played at a high level without them for years so i can play with both LD and regular just fine.... and so did all the pros pre year 2k. Also Mezz is another really good cue (best production cues in the world) you can get one of them for 500$ or so new. Point being... don't be a dummy ....do NOT buy a Cutec
Karl did you know nitty gritty is a racist term. Nitty gritty is the detritus the collected at the bottom of slave ships. Hence getting down to the nitty gritty. The more you know. Great vids mate keep em coming...
@@KarlBoyesPoolLife I know you're not mate. Sorry if it seemed that I was implying anything. Maybe it came across wrong, didn't mean to be a twat. I found it out a while back when I said it to someone. I like to find out where these daft little sayings come from. Do you know where "back to square one." Comes from.
@@KarlBoyesPoolLife I'm from Hull mate so there's enough shite there anyway. I live in thailand, Koh samui. So if you're over to Bangkok anytime I'd love to come and watch maybe have a knock. Good to here a voice I can understand on these videos mate. Keep it up...
