TAOM Billiard Cue Chalk Handmade in Finland

I had read a good bit about Taom Pyro chalk online, including in a number of billiard forums. I was, and still am, skeptical that there is a big difference in chalk when it comes to preventing miscues and throw and I can’t see that Taom Pyro is materially better than traditional Master in that regard. The reason I got it, however, was it’s reputation for cleanliness and in that regard, it is truly amazing. For the last year, I have shot two or three hours a day, pretty much every day. I have used Master chalk for years and it is so dirty that I have to wash my hands after every session and it leaves marks and dust on the balls and cloth such that a cleaning is needed at least once a week. I have used the same piece of Taom Pyro for three weeks and have not seen a single chalk mark left on the cue ball or any other ball. I cleaned my cloth the day I received the Taom Pyro and I have yet to see a chalk mark on it other than a few places where I was practicing the same shot dozens of times from the same place on the table. After a shooting session, my hand has no hint of chalk on it. If someone had told me beforehand how clean this chalk was, I wouldn’t have believed them, but it is phenomenal. The other notable aspect of Taom Pyro is that is seems to be incredibly long lasting. At my level of usage, I would have replaced a single piece of Master chalk at least twice in three weeks but the Taom Pyro looks like it just came out of the box. The only issue I have with it is that it is expensive. While it will never be as cheap as Master or most other chalk, if it lasts as long as various reports indicate (e.g., one piece lasting six months and still going strong), that extra expense is going to be substantially mitigated by it’s longevity. It has been criticized a bit for it’s round shape allowing it to roll off a table but if you set chalk on the table correctly (on it’s bottom) that shouldn’t be an issue so I don’t think that is much more than a nitpick. As yet, there is not a round, stick-style chalk holder for it but that will hopefully come in the future. The $28 Amazon price is also steep compared to the $18.95 range on the billiard supply sites but they will probably charge for shipping so the differential may not be quite as bad as it seems. If clean balls, hands and table are an issue, this chalk is the one to get.

This is the cleanest chalk I have used.I want say it is better than other chalk as far as control. Although I have not had any control issues or slipping with it since I started using it. While it is priced a bit high I think the value for the product is there and will be buying it again when I run out.

I will never go back to cheaper chalk. Lasts forever, way more grip and no mess. I only chalk every 3-4 shots unless it is a shot with extreme english.

Great product, excellent packaging & fast shipping.

I HAVE to be honest. First experiences and I was ecstatic!! No chalk on fingers or hands, OR cue ball!!! This stuff really is amazing in keeping your clothes and equipment CLEAN too. Not sure HOW they do it because my experiences with other chalks, even the top brands, have always been that I end up getting covered in it. My wife always complain about the line on my shirts as well (where my cue rubs my chest - a fault I have tried to get rid of, but that’s why some players wear vests or proper billiard shirts!) Anyway, it really WORKS superbly and means I don’t have to clean the shaft of my cue nearly as much. Or rather, I DIDN’t. (Past tense) Yes, I no longer have it. It failed the ultimate test - with me anyway. Namely, it’s performance IN my game. I noticed from the off that the ‘hit’ was firmer and stronger and I kinda liked that at first, but it soon led to me losing position on the table with the cue ball, on almost every shot!!! Of COURSE I tried modifying my stroke, speed, etc. but somehow I just could not get the same results as I was previously with my other chalk(s). This in turn led to defeat after defeat in league play so in the end I just reverted back to my other chalk and….. SUCCESS! So I know this is NOT a placebo effect (or whatever you wish to call it). I didn’t WANT to go back, so good was the Taom chalk, but I found if I wanted to win, I just had to. I am therefore very impressed with the chalks performance in theory, but in practice? Well, let’s just say the game is hard enough without me having to re-focus my attentions on my speed of stroke EVERY time I play a shot. Oh, I’m sure I could get used to it EVENTUALLY, but meanwhile I prefer not to lose every match I play!! I know - it sounds contrived, but it’s NOT I assure you. The hit is definitely altered and although it feels solid and unwaveringly secure, the resulting position of the cue ball is NOT! BTW - of course, I tried all the ‘usual’ deviants as one does with a new chalk - spin, English, DEEP draw etc. and it passed ALL of them with flying colors!! I could hardly get it to miscue at ALl. Fantastic!!! So WHY oh WHY can’t I get my usual positional play to work??? Agh! I’m really upset about that because everything else about this chalk is perfect. And yes, if YOU can get it tamed, then it definitely IS worth the extra money. Trust me!

What a difference! No dust on the table, and I think my game improved :)

I bought this to give it a try because all the reviews were amazing. I can honestly say that I will never use any other chalk brand again. This stuff drastically reduced miscues, and increased the amount of English. I almost, (not almost, absolutely) have to retrain myself to use less English. This sticks so well that a little draw on the ball goes a long way. I was trying to bank the cue with some right spin and it put way more spin than I used to get. I am an amputee and when the cue ball is too far from the rail, I will hold the cue free hand and push the cue to make my shot. I was never really able to use English when shooting that way, but this stuff works so well that I can now use English while shooting free hand. I should have switched years ago. Oh, and it goes a lot further. I don't have to chalk my cue after every shot. This doesn't rub off after every shot. I used to use Predator chalk, and you shoot once and you get a bare spot where you made contact. This chalk doesn't do that. It stays on the cue tip.

I bought one of the pyro and one of the T10 a few days ago. It's really nice to purchase something that is as good as advertised. I've been using this chalk for 3 days and have practiced a LOT. There are no chalk marks on the cueball and no chalk marks on the felt. Everything is much cleaner including my hands. The chalk stays on the tip for a long time and I've not miscued yet! I've read that this chalk is supposed to last a long time and I hope that is true as well. It is expensive but I have other chalk that cost more and is very dirty and leaves a lot of marks on the cueball so I don't use it. I am glad to have learned about this chalk and have the opportunity to try it. I don't think I'll be using anything else - ever, because I can't see how anything could be better. Plus the colors and shape are pretty cool. :)