Paul Bell said:

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Here is the link to your cue. I noticed it is an 8.5 ounce butt. Did you remove weights from the butt to make it 8.5 ounces? The Black Blade website shows the butts 10.5 ounces or more (see photo posted).

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CajunPopeye said:

I emailed Steve. He said the serial number could've been recorded incorrectly.

I emailed Steve. Below is part of the response....

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Chopdoc said:

If Dan couldn't ID it by the number there is little chance we can.




And...it is possible this is 1/1.

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gregcantrall said:

If I make an extremely nice shot, my internal dialog is to the effect of, " if I don't get all the way out that shot didn't happen." Celebration of a single shot mentally can be fatal. I know from experience.

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kingwang said:

Both are accepted. Bent is probably a little more common, but look at players like Hohmann and Alcaide for examples of straight bridge arms.

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GoldCrown said:

54...wanna trade? At 79 I'm happy I do not lose my balance going to the table when it's my turn.

Myself...always used a straight arm. There are no rules for that.

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Chopdoc said:

If Dan couldn't ID it by the number there is little chance we can.

Where did you buy it? From what dealer or distributor? That could help. More detailed pics of the forearm might help to. The butt sleeve is clear but the forearm is fuzzy.

I am digging into it myself. If @CajunPopeye looks, and I look, and Dan looked...and we can't find it...well, it could be pretty tough.

I just put an agentic AI on the task. This is the AI output, edited by me:

The "F" Prefix: Joss used letter prefixes to segment their production batches or to track specific limited editions, distributor exclusives (such as those made for major retailers like J&J America, Cue&Case, or Cuestix), or particular structural designs (like specific joint layouts).

If we can figure out the distributor or dealer they might be able to help.

Since you purchased the cue brand new in 2006, it was likely built between 2005 and 2006. Joss operates as a small custom shop that regularly produced standard model templates built with custom wood choices, modified point structures, or unique veneer color combinations requested by a buyer or distributor. They also made small batches of 50 to 100 cues featuring distinct geometric designs or unique inlays that were sold directly at trade shows or distributed exclusively to select billiard suppliers without ever appearing in standard retail catalogs.

Because your cue features a highly intricate design—characterized by complex window inlays in the butt sleeve and multi-colored veneers lining the sharp forearm points—it strongly points to being one of these limited, uncataloged custom runs. Without an archived internal build sheet matching prefix "F" to its corresponding work order, the exact model number remains a mystery even to the maker.

AI then asked the same things I want to know:

If you want to try and dig deeper, can you tell me:

• Where you bought it in 2006 (e.g., a local pro shop, an online distributor like J&J America, or a trade show)?
• The exact wood types (is that cocobolo or a stained maple in the butt sleeve)?

My thoughts, let's get answers to those two questions to get more traction.

And...it is possible this is 1/1.

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Chopdoc said:

If Dan couldn't ID it by the number there is little chance we can.

Where did you buy it? From what dealer or distributor? That could help. More detailed pics of the forearm might help to. The butt sleeve is clear but the forearm is fuzzy.

I am digging into it myself. If @CajunPopeye looks, and I look, and Dan looked...and we can't find it...well, it could be pretty tough.

I just put an agentic AI on the task. This is the AI output, edited by me:

The "F" Prefix: Joss used letter prefixes to segment their production batches or to track specific limited editions, distributor exclusives (such as those made for major retailers like J&J America, Cue&Case, or Cuestix), or particular structural designs (like specific joint layouts).

If we can figure out the distributor or dealer they might be able to help.

Since you purchased the cue brand new in 2006, it was likely built between 2005 and 2006. Joss operates as a small custom shop that regularly produced standard model templates built with custom wood choices, modified point structures, or unique veneer color combinations requested by a buyer or distributor. They also made small batches of 50 to 100 cues featuring distinct geometric designs or unique inlays that were sold directly at trade shows or distributed exclusively to select billiard suppliers without ever appearing in standard retail catalogs.

Because your cue features a highly intricate design—characterized by complex window inlays in the butt sleeve and multi-colored veneers lining the sharp forearm points—it strongly points to being one of these limited, uncataloged custom runs. Without an archived internal build sheet matching prefix "F" to its corresponding work order, the exact model number remains a mystery even to the maker.

AI then asked the same things I want to know:

If you want to try and dig deeper, can you tell me:

• Where you bought it in 2006 (e.g., a local pro shop, an online distributor like J&J America, or a trade show)?
• The exact wood types (is that cocobolo or a stained maple in the butt sleeve)?

My thoughts, let's get answers to those two questions to get more traction.

And...it is possible this is 1/1.

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trob said:

Appreciate that but I think I’m 54 and with a physical job the body is wearing out lol

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bbb said:

You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make them drink

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trob said:

So as you get older your body changes and so does your game. I’ve been playing for 35 years. For example I took my glasses off when I played for years. My left eye was great and I was a right handed player who was left eye dominant. Then at some point during Covid my left eye left the chat lol i couldn’t read the numbers on the ball standing next to the table.
Now I’ve been noticing I have some pain in my left shoulder when I’m playing after about an hour. I noticed yesterday watching Neil’s play Svb he lets his left elbow break down where I was always taught to keep that arm straight. Talked to a friend who takes lessons from the Neil’s and he said yeah I changed to that a while back. It gets me over the ball better. Half way through a straight pool match yesterday I started feeling that pain so I changed my stroke. Felt more solid and yes I felt more over the ball . I guess a few multiple hour practice sessions and it will be 2nd nature and that will be my new stroke.

What changes have you all old timers like me had to make ? lol what’s next

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jbart65 said:

They are interesting to watch, especially the dynamic. The men are constantly instructing the women. It's a bit odd to see world class women taking so much instruction. They know how to play, but sometimes the men make them unsure.

The one clear area in which the men know better are on kicking and safety play. They are more clever and precise.

It was good to see Easton telling Shane at times where she wanted the ball. He accepted her advice without any hesistation - a credit to him. I like the teams best in which the two players seem equal and act equal. Kazakis and Fisher are a great pair, and Capito generally lets Seoa do her thing.

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