CROWN ME Carbon Fiber Pool Cue Stick 12.8mm Tip Billiard Carbon Fiber Cue

APA 6, not a pro, but no slouch either. Been using bargain basement maple for 3 years that have since warped. Tried a cheap ASKA and a McD Lucky (their entry level), but both arrived wobbling on the rail test. Unacceptable. Returned those and had low expectations for this one based on price, but I am pleasantly surprised. * Straight as an arrow out of the box. Does not wobble at all on the rail roll test. * Tip/Shaft: Smooth, slides great on bridge hand (I do not wear a glove), and no blemishes. No residue came off on my hand as I've heard some other CF cues do when brand new. The tip is multi-layered leather. UPDATE 2026: They now sell two different model shafts, one has a 13mm tip (which they describe as a 12.8mm, buyer beware that it's closer to 13mm), the other has a 12.5mm tip (which they describe as 12.5mm and it does measure exactly 12.5mm....I own both). Per the tip, I played with an UltraSkin Pro (softest they sell) on my old stick, and have x-soft, soft, medium and hard tips from various brands on house sticks. This newer (2026) tip I would rate a medium hardness. It shapes well, has a medium feel on the hit, and does not mushroom after hard hits like the older model tip. * Joint: Diameter is very close to the major manufacturers standard ranges. They describe it as 21.4mm, I measured it at 21.5, which is right around where most two-piece fittings fall. Screwing together is easy, quick and it locks firm and stays put. As a bonus, it comes with joint protectors. * Taper: It was listed as a pro taper, but note the taper is not a true pro taper as the taper begins immediately at the tip however it is (slightly) progressive meaning taper is slower toward the tip. There is no consistent standard for this, but, if you're looking for a true pro taper whereby shaft remains same thickness from tip to bridge hand, this stick is not that. UPDATE 2026: The newer version shaft (including the 12.5mm model) is also listed as a pro-taper, however, it is not. While it does have a "progressive" taper (the taper is less aggressive first 12"), there is no point on the first 12" of the shaft where it isn't tapering. * Butt: Unlike the shaft, the butt is clearcoat so it is grabby and does not slip in your hand. The crosshatch design is not a "grip" as it's underneath the clearcoat and is aesthetic only. The clearcoat gives it a holographic appearance. It is not distracting though. I personally hate actual grips on a cue, so this was exactly what I wanted. * End Cap: The cap is threaded and screws on and off easily. The web site says it's "air cushioned", I do not know what that means, but the end cap is not flimsy and is a hard rubber. Most rubber cap ends bounce off the floor, this stick does not bounce. * Weight: It comes shipped with all 3 weights so it arrives at it's heaviest. It has a removable sticker on it stating 20oz. I prefer light cues, so first thing I did was remove all of them (and the sticker too). Easy to do, decent design. You could add your own weights in there if you prefer heavy or want a break stick. UPDATE: The weight bolt the weights thread onto is softer metal and the portion that screws into the cap is quite short and could easily be stripped or come loose during play. I did not strip mine (and haven't had a problem with it loosening), but I know what I'm doing :). Take care not to cross thread or overtighten the weight bolt or you will end up having to customize a weighting solution for your stick (which you can do....it's just an empty space in the end of the stick). Note the entire weight system can just be removed if you prefer lighter sticks (like me....which I did). * Balance: This category is personal preference but the stick is neutral balanced, not too heavy at the tip and not too light as to get whippy. In general though, this will likely feel tip heavy to you in comparison to a standard 1 piece house stick at a bar. The center of gravity is in the same range as my other 2 piece sticks (see pics), and it took me literally no time to adjust to the stick and make shots. Balance of course changes based on your preferred butt weight. With no weights installed, description says it's 18oz, I measured 18.4oz with my scale. That feels about right in comparison to my other 18 and 19oz labelled sticks. * Feel: Hits soft, which I prefer. It does not make cracking or pinging or annoying noises that my maple sticks make depending on the strike. It's very quiet and more of a low pitched thud. Feedback is somewhat muted as opposed to maple, with very little vibration up the cue on either well struck or miscued shots. This is one of the primary differences between CF and wood. Some like it, some don't. Personal preference. * Quality/Durability: Cannot speak for durability yet (i.e. joint/screw longevity, warpage over time, finish wear, tip longevity), but out of the box, it feels like a quality well built stick that should have cost much more. UPDATE: 2026, I am still using this as my primary shooter. I did replace the original tip (13mm version) because I simply wore it out. I have since ordered the 12.5mm "shaft only" to thin down the profile from the 13mm the original stick came with. The 12.5mm did fit perfectly onto the existing butt. I have had no durability issues, original still looks, responds and is as straight as it was new. Only complaint I would have about these sticks are a) lack of options (only available in 12.5mm or 13mm tip) and b) the "pro-taper" is a bit misleading as the first 12" is still tapered (Ex: Rhino's maintain the tip profile further up the shaft than these Crowns).

Cue weight balance etc perfect for the price it's a truly heavy hitting cue ideal for breaking the tip however is shocking so replace that before using it I used a soft 14mm tip cut to Size as this came just over 13mm but well worth the effort the quality and feel is way above expectation I have played with some top quality cues and this fits in the top tier as a break cue

Loved it

This cue was purchased as an experiment and after playing a handful of games with it, I am surprised at how well it plays. However, the tip popped completely off and I had to replace it. I have a Taom tip now and I have no complaints.

I like everything about it except the advertised weight. The lowest of the advertised weights is 18 oz. but the cue actually weighs 18.4 oz.