I can’t believe that there’s not a thread on this already (I looked). I’m putting my flame suit on for this one.

I don’t like most custom shooter knobs. They usually feel wrong - you reach down for that perfectly-engineered grip that hasn’t changed in decades, and instead you get a weird skull or some orb the size of a baseball. Now, I do think some knobs are fine. If it’s symmetric and a reasonable size, and I can actually use it to make a skill shot, fine. Stern seems to have the right idea. LZ, JP, STH - all those knobs are okay.

I think factory knobs make some people anxious, like the ugly yellow price card that used to come with the game. What’s your take on this? I’ll add a poll once I hear some nuanced views on the humble shooter knob.

I forgot that Stern did the Jacky knob for Aerosmith - that’s a great example of a knob that borks an important skill shot. It totally breaks the “do no harm” rule. I mean, the player only touches 3 things: the lockbar, the flipper buttons and the shooter knob. Those should be left alone. What’s next, foam-covered lockbars? Lockbars with art wraps?

The 2” knobs are ridiculous, it feels like I’m grabbing a doorknob. Do I pull it or turn it?

Poll added.

Funny you mention Congo. I took my Congo to a show one year, and the standard shooter knob got broken. When I went to buy a replacement, I saw that there was a clear standard knob, so I bought that as a sort of “diamond” tie in. It’s the only shooter rod/knob I ever bought - I think it was $15.

What do I grab here?

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Yep. I’m a tournament player and have run tournaments, and the last thing I want is the knob being a problem.

My friend gave me a 1.5” ball-end shooter for my GOTLE, and I like it (it helps that there’s not really a plunger-based skill shot). The 2” and bigger ones just don’t feel right. I guess I’m saying that unlike Angus Young, I Don’t Like Big Balls.