Compare/Contrast: Ski pole or Pool Cue

[A Hopeful Trooper]

Not sure if this has been posted before, feel free to admonish me if it has been.
I've seen tutorials using both Pool Cues and Ski poles, and I was wondering if there were any distinct advantages or disadvantages to using either of them for the force pike base. Thanks !

[JesterTDA]

Well I went with the pool cue because it was cheap ($7 at Walmart), easy to find, and easy to work with (it's wood after all). Now a downside is having to make it metalic while a ski pole is already there.

I'm very happy with the pool cue but I've been looking for ski poles at yard sales 'cause you never know

[LuciousTalvloinne]

Alot of it goes to also - What you want to use something as a "Prop Piece" or a "Troop Piece"

The Ski Pole would be the more "screen accurate. But on the other side the Pool Cue would be lighter and able to be held longer perse..

[JesterTDA]

Lucious is wise I can tell you this about my pool cue...unless you've done a lot of research on force pikes (ie you're on these forums) or you've done a lot of trooping it's very hard to tell that a pool cue is a pool cue, or a ski pole is a ski pole once it's done up correctly.

[A Hopeful Trooper]

If I used the ski pole, would I have to modify the tip? (it looks spiky with four points)

[JesterTDA]

If I used the ski pole, would I have to modify the tip? (it looks spiky with four points)

Yes, you'd have to modify the upper portion. Nobody is quite sure what the heck makes up the pointy tip area. I'm fairly sure Scully and Mulders are looking into it. I personally used a pvc electrical box and a dremel tool to cut out little triagnles. I've considered trying to resin cast something but that is a lot more work then I'm willing to do right now. The tip is also one of the reasons I'm partial to a pool cue...it's easy to glue or attach something to a wood pool cue...a lot harder to do so to a metal ski pole.

[LuciousTalvloinne]

Skel and I have been discussing the Pike tip concept for over a year. I think we have nailed it down on what can be done

[TR6386]

I use a fishing rod....its absurdly light, any time I let someone hold it, the look of shock on their face when they realize there is nothing to it cracks me up

[Bookemdano]

I'm following Skel's tutorial and found a pole close to what he got. I was in Walmart the other day and just happened to see 1 Shakespere Durango pole and picked it up for $7.95. Only difference is the one I found is a 13' and is 4 section instead of 10' and 3 section.

Its light as can be, just need to get the part from Lowes. Only problem is that shipping is more than the part and the closest one is 4 hrs away

[A Hopeful Trooper]

Can someone post a link to that tutorial? i'm not to adept at this website yet