If you’re serious about your tip selection, this is the debate you’ll eventually hit: Kamui or Taom. Both are
premium layered tip brands with strong followings at the competitive level. Both are used by professional
players. Both cost more than the competition. And both are genuinely excellent.
So which one is right for you? The honest answer is that it depends on your playing style, your hardness
preferences, and in some cases, your shaft type. This guide goes head to head on every relevant criterion.
Brand Background
Kamui is a Japanese brand founded in 2007. They were early in the premium layered tip market and built
a loyal following quickly, particularly among nine-ball players who valued the exceptional chalk retention of the early Original series.
Taom is a Finnish brand that entered the tip market more recently but gained ground quickly. Taom also
produces a highly regarded chalk, and the tip-and-chalk combination has become particularly popular at
the tournament level. Taom has strong representation on the European and international tour circuits.
Both brands produce layered tips — multiple thin layers of leather pressed together, which provides better shape retention and more consistent hardness than single-layer alternatives. For why layered construction matters, see Layered vs Single-Layer Tips.
Kamui’s layering is extremely precise and consistent. The Original series uses 14 layers; the Black series
uses a different construction optimized for firmer hardness grades. Taom’s layered construction is also
excellent but uses a different manufacturing approach. The specific layer count and bonding method contribute to each brand’s distinct feel character.
Kamui tips, particularly in softer grades, have a characteristic ‘gripping’ feel — they hold the cue ball very
well during contact, which players describe as an almost tacky feel on english shots. This is a function of
Kamui’s surface texture and material selection.
Taom tips tend to feel slightly firmer and more defined at the same nominal hardness. Where Kamui grips,
Taom transmits. Both deliver excellent cue ball feedback, but the character is different. Players who prefer
more direct, crisp feedback often prefer Taom. Players who prefer the maximum english grip of softer
contact tend to prefer Kamui.
For the full feel discussion in the context of tip hardness, see Soft vs Medium vs Hard Pool Cue Tips.
Both brands have excellent chalk retention — significantly better than economy tips. In direct comparison,
Kamui’s surface is often described as retaining chalk slightly better than Taom in the same hardness
grade. The Kamui surface texture naturally holds chalk well.
However, Taom tips are specifically designed to pair with Taom chalk. When used together, the Taom
chalk-and-tip combination produces exceptional results — with the chalk formulated to transfer cleanly
onto the Taom tip surface and bond effectively. Players using Taom chalk on Taom tips often find the
combination outperforms Kamui tips with generic chalk.
Shape retention — how well the tip maintains its radius under repeated impacts — is excellent in both
brands. Kamui holds shape well; Taom holds shape equally well. Neither brand mushrooms quickly under
normal competitive use. The difference here is minimal and within individual tip variation rather than
brand-level difference.
Hardness Range and Options
Kamui offers: 0.98 (extremely soft), soft, medium-soft, medium, medium-hard, hard, and super-hard. An
exceptionally wide range that suits players across the entire spectrum of preferences.
Taom offers: soft, medium-soft, medium, medium-hard, and hard. Slightly fewer options at the extreme
ends but covers the needs of the vast majority of players. For guidance on which hardness matches your
game, see Choosing the Right Pool Cue Tip.
Kamui: $20-$35 per tip depending on series and retailer.
Taom: $15-$25 per tip.
Taom is consistently less expensive than Kamui for comparable quality. For players buying tips regularly,
this difference adds up meaningfully over a season of competitive play.
Both brands work well on carbon fiber shafts. For ferrule-less designs like the JFlowers SMO, tip
installation requires specific adhesive and preparation regardless of brand. Both Kamui and Taom tips
bond effectively to carbon fiber shaft material with the right installation technique.
Professional tour usage is roughly split between the two brands, with regional preferences playing a role.
Kamui has stronger presence on the American and East Asian circuits. Taom is dominant on the
European circuit and has growing global representation. Neither brand has a meaningful professional
performance advantage — this is a personal preference split.
Kamui tips
Taom tips
Expert Recommendation
Our recommendation: Taom for most competitive players. The combination of excellent quality,
accessible pricing, and exceptional performance with Taom chalk makes Taom our default tip
recommendation. If you specifically prefer maximum chalk grip and don’t mind the premium
price, Kamui Original in your preferred hardness is also excellent. Try both if you can — the right
answer for you may depend on feel preferences that only playing with each will reveal.
Kamui and Taom are the two best-performing tip brands on the market. The choice between them comes
down to feel preference: Kamui for players who want maximum chalk grip and softer contact character,
Taom for players who prefer crisp, defined feedback and the chalk-and-tip system advantage. Try both
with the same hardness grade on the same shaft over a month of play and you’ll know which one is yours.
Q: Are Kamui or Taom tips better?
Both are excellent. Kamui has more grip feel and exceptional chalk retention. Taom has a crisper, more
defined feel and is better value. Most players who try both have a clear preference.
Q: What’s the difference between Kamui and Taom tips?
Kamui has a slightly grippier, softer feel at the same hardness grade. Taom feels crisper and more
direct. Taom pairs exceptionally well with Taom chalk.
Q: Which is more expensive, Kamui or Taom?
Kamui is typically more expensive at $20-$35 per tip vs Taom at $15-$25.
Q: Do professional pool players use Kamui or Taom?
Both are used at the professional level. Regional preferences affect which brand dominates in different
circuits.
Q: Can I use Taom chalk with Kamui tips?
Yes. Many players mix brands. The Taom chalk-and-Taom tip combination is particularly well-regarded
because they’re designed together.
Q: What hardness Kamui tip should I choose?
Medium is the most popular starting point. Kamui also offers medium-soft for players who want more
grip and medium-hard for players who want more precision.
Q: What hardness Taom tip should I choose?
Medium for most competitive players. Medium-soft for players who use a lot of slow english.
Medium-hard for players who prefer crisp, precise contact.
Q: Are Kamui tips good for carbon fiber shafts?
Yes. Kamui tips work well on both ferrule-equipped and ferrule-less carbon fiber shaft designs with the
right installation technique.
Best Cue Tip Brands
Soft vs Medium vs Hard Pool Cue Tips
Layered vs Single-Layer Tips
Choosing the Right Pool Cue Tip
How Often Should You Replace a Cue Tip?
Best Cue Tip for English
The joint is one of the least talked-about components of a pool cue — and one of the most important. It’s the connection point between your shaft and butt, and it affects hit feel, vibration, and whether you can swap third-party shafts onto your cue without a machinist.
The joint is one of the least talked-about components of a pool cue — and one of the most important. It’s the connection point between your shaft and butt, and it affects hit feel, vibration, and whether you can swap third-party shafts onto your cue without a machinist.
