In order to achieve this, how do you change the tip trimming, and typically what iron do you use to 'start' with?
What has been your experience with slopes with smaller increments that 2 - 2.5 cpms?
I have my own database of shafts that I have collected over the years, and it has left me with a general idea as to which shaft(s) to start with to hit a specific frequency slope. In general, I start with the three iron and work my way up to the wedges. By tip trimming in 1/2" increments, most shafts will progress (get stiffer) by 4.5-5 CPMs. In reference to your question about slopes with increments smaller than 2-2.5 CPMs, I am personally in that category. I'm really rare, in that I'm considered a "flatliner," and therefore possess a flat frequency slope of 291 CPMs. My swing load and unload timing is consistent throughout my entire set of irons and wedges. I have found that less than 9% of the golfing public actually falls into that category. I would have to say that probably two thirds of all golfers I have fit have a positive frequency slope that progresses by 2-2.5 CPMs between clubs. Therefore, it would be my contention that if you started with a set of shafts and tip-trimmed them in 1/4" increments rather than 1/2" increments, you would (blindly) come closer to fitting more golfers. I only say "blindly" because you wouldn't know exactly where to start in regard to the frequency spectrum. Any clubmaker could make a set of clubs and precisely hit any frequency slope, but the real trick is in determining the appropriate frequency slope. In my opinion, there is only one scientifically valid way to arrive at that slope. There are, of course, ways to figure it based on trial and error, but it is not an exact science. That said, there are a lot of phenomenal clubmakers who are very good at it. Hopefully all that is clear as mud...
