What reviews do you guys have about the I-2 shaft from McDermott?

I remember when the old I-shafts came out from McDermott. A website called Platinum Billiards tested them alongside most of the other low deflection shafts on the market (as well as many standard shafts). I remember that the McDermott's provided almost no improvement over a standard wood shaft. Whoops.

The current shafts are different though. The G-core shafts are a direct copy of the resounding winner of that test (Predator shafts) other than the 13mm taper (Predator uses 12.75mm in the 314 shafts, and 11.75 in the Z shafts). The difference between the i-shafts and the G-core seems to be that the carbon fiber lining runs the entire length of the cue instead of the end of the shaft, a slightly different ferrule, and different tapers.

The carbon fiber part should make virtually no difference in performance compared to the G-core. Deflection is reduced by reducing the weight at the tip end of the cue. Reducing weight through the entire cue should not improve this effect at all. What it could do is make the cue feel slightly butt-heavy compared to a standard cue if the weight is reduced significantly. The smaller taper should improve performance slightly, as well as the shorter ferrule.

McDermott talks about radially consistency a lot about this shafts, and they should provide that. Radial inconsistencies in standard shafts are caused because the wood will be more flexible in one direction of the other depending on which way the grain is pointed. This was the theory of the original "high performance" shafts, the Meucci Red dots. Meucci marked the grain on the shafts and you were supposed to always shoot with the dot pointing up to provide a consistent hit. All modern shafts that are radially spliced will provide radial consistency. I suppose it's possible the i-shafts are "more" radially consistent because they use artificial materials to reinforce the shafts, but the difference will be marginal. They are a significant upgrade over a traditional maple shaft though.

Anyway, the good thing is that you bought the best McDermott has to offer. The advantages of a low deflection shaft (which is what the i and g-core shafts actually are) is that putting English on the cue will result in the cue ball veering less off-target than with a standard shaft. This means you will not have to compensate as much for deflection when shooting, and thus be a more accurate player in general. If you're used to a standard shaft, at first you may instinctively overcompensate for deflection with your new shaft, but in time you will become used to it and should be a more accurate player. Some people will tell you that they prefer a standard shaft, but make no mistake, this is ONLY because of familiarity. Low deflection shafts are always more accurate. It's a scientific fact.

Good luck and have fun.

I've worked for an online billiards site which sells both. Depending on what level of player you are, McDermott cues are good american made cues. The Predator shafts I would avoid.. A good alternative to a high performance shaft is the OB-1. Low squirt.. Low deflection... a great shaft.

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RE:

What reviews do you guys have about the I-2 shaft from McDermott?

Just put in the order for the Dubliner with the I-2 upgrade, and want to know what advantages the I-2 offers over a standard shaft. Playing wise please, I already know the details from the website. Have played with it before, but never over any extended period of time, thanks.

G Core Shaft

This is bad