Pool Cue Shafts

The shaft is the long, tapered wooden or composite body that makes up the main portion of a pool cue. It connects the rear buttcap to the front ferrule and tip.

Common shaft materials include:

• Hardwoods like maple, ash, and oak
• Carbon fiber for low-deflection
• Synthetic composites like fiber-reinforced polymers
• Premium woods like bocote, cocobolo, ebony
• Exotic woods like purple heart, snakewood, zebrawood

Key factors include:

• Shaft material density and stiffness
• Taper rate (deflection and cue whip)
• Construction (one-piece vs wood-splice join)
• Weight and balance point
• Surface finish and coating

Stiffer, lower-deflecting shafts provide more accurate and controlled shots. Looser, whippier shafts generate more cue ball spin and English. Most players prefer a shaft stiffness matched to their skill level and desired ball control.

Wood shafts offer a lively, traditional feel preferred by many players, but require precise tapering during manufacturing and are prone to warping from temperature and humidity changes.

Carbon fiber shafts provide extremely straight and consistent stiffness that is stable across conditions, but may feel overly stiff and lack the warm, lively feedback of wood for some players.

Keep the shaft surface clean and free of dirt/debris using a cue towel. Avoid prolonged sunlight exposure. Use a shaft conditioner to protect the wood. Replace worn shafts when the performance degrades.