Viking Cue Company started in the early sixties. As they grew in popularity, they moved to a new facility in Madison, Wisconsin. At this location, the company was really able to take roots and start making high quality cues.
In the early 2000’s the company had to shut down for economic reasons. In 2011, a man by the name of Mark Larson bought the company and reopened the doors in Middleton, Wisconsin. Under new ownership, the company used the veteran team of craftsmen and new innovative people to start producing cues at the highest quality it has ever done.
The Viking V Crush shaft is an amazing product; this shaft is standard for all of Vikings break and jump cues. The shaft comes in a standard length of 29 inches, with a 13 millimeter phenolic tip. It has a 5/16/18 quick release pin, a Viking black phenolic ferrule, and a conical taper. This shaft has custom options you may also select when purchasing, such as tip diameter or shaft length.
I was given the task of reviewing this shaft, so I set out to test it on seven, eight, and nine foot tables, as well as testing it against other break cues. I started by breaking with this shaft on my Viking XRZR, on a seven foot Valley bar box table.
The first time I stroked the shaft I felt the taper and, wow, it was just perfect. I could feel the power behind it.
My first break I drained five balls—stripes, two solids—and had center table placement on the table. I quickly ran out after. In order to see if I could do any better, I did the same break with my Jester G-10 Assault break cue, which I use as my standard breaker. I got similar results with it, which to me is a good thing because I look at the Jester as one of the highest quality break cues.
Next were the eight and nine foot tables, and this shaft just didn’t care. It sold me. Bring it on. Time and again I dropped balls and got center table placement. It was so easy.
I’m actually at a point I don’t know which break cue to use, the Viking or the Jester. And for my break, the faster I can break the better, so with my Viking at 19 oz. and the Jester at 14oz., I thought there was no way they could compare.
The thing I like about the Viking, is that with the extra weight I can let the cue do the work instead of forcing myself to push through the cue ball. With my Jester the break is like a wild punch, smashing ball and giving ridiculous breaks—with the Viking, if I try to force it I lose all control.
In short I would have to say that the V Crush shaft is an advantage any person can add to their bag. Today, I’m using both the Jester and the Viking. I simply cannot decide–some days one is best for me, other days it’s the other.
Dakotah Schmidtknecht was born in Wisconsin on in 1994. His pool life began with his father. Six months after Dakotah was born, he bought a bar/resort/restaurant, and started shooting league. All Dakotah ever wanted to do was be just like him, so naturally as soon as he could hold a pool stick he did, and he’s been playing since he was four years old. A serious pool career didn’t start until his grandfather bought him his first cue. It was a Minnesota Fatts red light-up cue. He spent days practicing on his Grandfather’s eight foot Olhausen. In his late teens, he started to sub on his dad’s pool team, and went from losing to beating the top players in the league. These days he’s working with the Wisconsin Artistic Pool Players Association as an administrator, and being sponsored by them for artistic pool. “I think my biggest moment in billiards to date is when I met Florian Kohler, and as my artistic pool grows I am able to ask his advice. It’s amazing to me that a master like him will take time to help an amateur like me.” Photo: Provided by Garret Troop Editor: Hannah Blue