BlackSpin

What is BlackSpin?

The ‘BlackSpin’ system is a revolutionary re-design of one of the core components of a cue – The ferrule.

I did not set out to make changes to the traditional method of using a simple brass ferrule, but I recently found myself questioning the thing we have taken for granted for many years.

The result is a far superior method that makes ANY cue stronger and improves cueball reaction.

Why?

Firstly, it is important to note – this is NOT just a black ferrule.

There are major design innovations INSIDE the cue which improve strength, and balance the radial stresses in the wood, giving a more consistent contact whichever way the cue is orientated.

Many players will have suffered from a broken ferrule where the wooden shoulder has broken away. In fact, often this may happen several times in a cue’s life and it ends up much shorter than it was originally.

The base of the wooden shoulder is a weak point which suffers from constant impact stress. Sometimes ferrules break simply because the wood is naturally a bit ‘weak’, but if the brass ferrule becomes ‘unstuck’ from the wooden shoulder, then the effect of the impact is amplified as it ‘bounces’ against the wood and can gradually weaken it to such a point that it simply breaks. Not any more…

The ‘BlackSpin’ ferrule system virtually eliminates ALL weak spots and delivers a powerful, clean, crisp contact, which helps generate maximum sidespin, topspin and backspin.

Put simply – The cue is stronger but, more importantly, ‘feels’ better.

How?

There are two crucial components that make up this system.

The core of the tip end of the cue is replaced with the ‘BlackSpin’ core. A structurally superior component that stabilises and strengthens the radial weaknesses in the wood structure but, most important of all, it helps deliver the right ‘feel’ on cueball contact.

The unique ‘BlackSpin’ ferrule design not only sits over the core, it also sits INSIDE the wood. This spreads the effect of impact over a hugely bigger surface area and also minimises wood shrinkage problems.

The benefit is that all the stress is removed from the traditional weak spots and results in a virtually unbreakable cue at the tip end.

1. Furthermore, the ferrule material itself, whilst very tough and long lasting, has a very similiar density to the shaft wood. This improves cueball reaction over the use of a traditional brass ferrule. A relatively minor point, but nevertheless, one which improves the overall effect further still.

2. The final benefit of the ‘BlackSpin’ ferrule is that not only does it look great on the cue, it really helps with aiming and makes the point of cueball contact stand out very clearly

When?

Now – Fitted as standard on all new Mike Wooldridge Cues.

Also available as a retro-fit for any old or new cue, so nobody need miss out on this revolutionary system.

“Once you go black, you’ll never go back…”

What Tip?

You can fit any tip but I recommended my new BlackSpin tips for two reasons.

Note – If you choose to fit an original SuperTip or any other type of tip, I strongly recommend using a fibre tip pad which will serve the same purpose as the integrated BlackSpin tip base.

1) BlackSpin tips are made with an integrated bottom layer that acts as a ‘load spreader’.

During use, a tip compresses and tends to spread out over time. With a brass or other metal ferrule this does not matter as the tip ‘creeps’ outwards from the ferrule. But because tips stick extremely well to BlackSpin ferrule material, this may strain the composite fibres of the ferrule top.

If you regularly hit hard on one part of the tip e.g. power screw shots, the tip is constantly trying to ‘drag’ the ferrule top in that one place as it compresses and spreads out. Particularly on smaller ferrules where there is not so much material, there is the potential for this to cause the material to ‘break out’ at that point.

2) The red base makes it easier and clearer to see when it is time to re-tip your cue.

If the black part is almost down to the red base, it is time to change. Early prototypes were all black and it was near on impossible to see where the tip ended and the ferrule started so an additional red base layer was incorporated into the design. This acts to prevent the danger of playing on the ferrule material itself if a tip has worn down too far.

An added advantage is that whilst you can choose to remove the whole tip, it is better to remove the black part only, and leave the red base layer on the ferrule. This will continue to act as a load spreader for any new tip you may wish to use if you decide against using a genuine BlackSpin tip.

There is also much less chance of damaging or mis-shaping the the top of the ferrule as you clumsily try to tear the old tip off with that blunt blade you’ve been using…

This is actually a common fault on virtually every brass ferruled cue that passes through the workshop. The person who re-tipped the cue has destroyed the perfect flat surface that was once the ferrule/wood top, instead turning it into a scratched and gouged convex surface, rounded and mis-shaped at the edges. No wonder they find it harder and harder to get a properly prepared flat bottomed tip to stick properly.

So, whilst BlackSpin ferrules do indeed need extra care when re-tipping, the features built into BlackSpin tips during development add an additional level of protection for the top of any standard brass or other type of ferrule.

*IMPORTANT*

Do Not attempt to re-tip any BlackSpin equipped cue before watching the video here

It will show you how to re-tip any cue, BlackSpin or plain brass, with no risk of damage to the ferrule. Even if you have re-tipped many cues, I advise you to watch it and take advantage of some very useful tips on how to do it properly.

Clearly that is not the case with many of you judging by the terrible condition of the many brass ferruled cues that I get in for repair. Tut tut….

BlackSpin ferrules need a little extra care because tips stick to the material extremely well and you risk damage if you get carried away and dig too deep in your efforts to remove the old tip.

Trust me, watch the video and avoid any costly mistakes.