The traditional pool cues are still made of wood. While most professionals still prefer lightweight wooden cues, today the fiberglass cues are becoming a trend among new players. One can identify the main difference between the two types of cues with their feel of hitting. Wooden cues still provide a better hit feeling than the fiberglass, but fiberglass provides a smoother texture.

The most common wooden type for pool games is ash. The wooden pools commonly used in the USA by professionals are made of maple. The even UK is slowly going interested in maple wood pool cues. Still, having a type of pool is a personal taste for every player. Some even order exclusively made cues for themselves that are of a certain size, width, and wood type. People have the misconception that ash is stiffer than maple, but maple is usually harder than ash. In both cases, it entirely depends on the play style of holding style of the player.

Some people also like different shades of woods. Some woods that age with time become darker naturally, while some manufacturers use artificial methods to provide a cue a darker look. Both ash and maple are always a part of the discussion among players.

Ash

Ashwood has clean gain patterns throughout, which adds a bit of texture to a cue’s style. It also provides a pointed pattern to help players aim their shots better. But this is just a thing that some players believe to be helpful. The grains can be entirely random and may not provide a perfect line up. It also does not mean that the cue is not straight. An uneven grained cue can be as good as other cues in making straight shots. If the craftmanship of the cue is good, an uneven grained cue can be even better than the evenly grained cues.

Ash

Maple

Maple is a yellow wood that is more preferred in the American gaming community. Maple wood does not have graining as the ash wood. It is usually a plain shaft with no texture. It is good for the players who feel grained cues are distracting. The color of maple also depends on the parts from which the wood comes. You can find very dark-colored maple cues and very light colors as well. If you want a nice personalized pool holder you can find one here https://personalizedbykate.com

 

Splicing

Usually, all cues are connected to different, heavier wood with the method of splicing. Usually, ebony woods are used to adding contrast to the cues made with ash or maple. Other types of woods are used for splicing, like rosewood or what the players may prefer. The manufacturers believe that splicing and adding a heavier wood at the back can make a cue more balanced and controllable. The cheaper cues are not spliced at all. You can find cues with decals, but they are not spliced. It does not mean that the non-spliced cues cannot be as good as the spliced ones. The only difference will be in the feel of the wood in case the outer decal gets chipped off.