EBONY-Going,Going,Gone

Balabushka_Man

Balabushka_Man

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Have been doing research on ebony along with it's prices and availibility of high grade AA & AAA used in various things such as billiard cues, chess pieces, gun grips, and the like. Seems that hi grade ebony that has been aged well enough to be used in these kind of things is becoming Very scarce. There is a lot of ebony for use available on places like ebay etc, but the problem is that it's not aged enough for quality use. Maybe this is the reason we are seeing many items now being made from rosewood, cocobolo, and the like. Also could be one of the reasons we are seeing many ebonized items now. Just makes common sense it seems...could be becoming non cost effective to produce products with hi grade ebony due to higher costs, availibility, and scarcity it seems.
 
I never understood that ebony "fetish". If you want a complete black cue, why not use black paint? For me ebony is good to use in points and inlays.
 
Balabushka_Man said:
Have been doing research on ebony along with it's prices and availibility of high grade AA & AAA used in various things such as billiard cues, chess pieces, gun grips, and the like. Seems that hi grade ebony that has been aged well enough to be used in these kind of things is becoming Very scarce. There is a lot of ebony for use available on places like ebay etc, but the problem is that it's not aged enough for quality use. Maybe this is the reason we are seeing many items now being made from rosewood, cocobolo, and the like. Also could be one of the reasons we are seeing many ebonized items now. Just makes common sense it seems...could be becoming non cost effective to produce products with hi grade ebony due to higher costs, availibility, and scarcity it seems.
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this answers any and all questions that pertain to ebony... as they are the ONLY source bringing them across the border at the moment

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anCGvfsBoFY
 
AlexandruM said:
I never understood that ebony "fetish". If you want a complete black cue, why not use black paint? For me ebony is good to use in points and inlays.
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Ebony has unique properties (tone, weight, density, etc). Simply painting or staining maple, purpleheart, etc, with a coat of black dye would not yield the same results (although those woods do make good cues). Using ebony in combination with other woods can result in some very nice cues. I would recommend searching the cue and case gallery for some great examples of ebony nosed cues.
 
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Really enjoyed that video link and the background on why we're seeing more streaked ebony these days. I do a little pocket knife collecting and have been seeing a lot more of it there as well. Frankly, I don't mind. I think the streaked ebony is very beautiful and when it comes to a cue I find jet black ebony to be a little boring unless it's just point stock or butt sleeves, but a full ebony nosed cue is a little blah looking to me.
 
Awesome video. I have a cue that is all ebony. The whole cue and I love it. Hits better then anything that I have ever had
 
galipeau said:
Ebony has unique properties (tone, weight, density, etc). Simply painting or staining maple, purpleheart, etc, with a coat of black dye would not yield the same results (although those woods do make good cues). Using ebony in combination with other woods can result in some very nice cues. I would recommend searching the cue and case gallery for some great examples of ebony nosed cues.
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Was going to post this but now I just need to agree :)

My son got a Zircote cue that the maker said plays a lot like ebony. Looks nice too, a lot like the lighter and streaked version of ebony.

picture.php
 
Woof Biscuit said:
Ebony is a CITES Appendix I species and is subject to the same laws as the new ivory ban as I understand it. No interstate commerce, etc. so you may be seeing even less of it soon.
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You misunderstand both the CITES Appendices and the proposed ivory regulations.

There are many other ebonies available other than the "ebanacae" ebonies in Appendix I.

Appendix II items are different from the Appendix I ebony. Appendix II specifically states Diospyros ebonies from Madagascar.

There are many ebonies from other countries that are not listed on any of the three CITES appendices. I'm not saying they won't get there eventually, but they're not there yet.

As for interstate commerce, there are proposed regulations, but nothing is law yet. A thorough search of the forum will provide you more accurate information on that topic. Thomas Wayne has been particularly good at disseminating updates.
 
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Id love to have blonde,grey or whatever streaks in a ebony cue! I think the " not so perfect" ebony has more beauty.




Rob.M
 
dontlitethat said:
Id love to have blonde,grey or whatever streaks in a ebony cue! I think the " not so perfect" ebony has more beauty.




Rob.M
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The super streaky black and white ebony is unmatched for beauty. Pieces where the black and white is well balanced are much more rare than all black ebony. Martin
 
All the really good stuff (violin fingerboard grade... probably twice the grain density that I've seen on any cue) has been gone for like 50 years now.

If ebony is just for looks, then let someone else use it and just stain some maple. If you need the density, maybe try ironwood or some other dense, oily tropical.

If you need the durability, mass, color, and acoustic properties, then you actually need ebony.
 
Streaks in black ebony are the greatest part about it.

Solid jet black stuff is ugly...

Just my .02


Macassar ebony and TEXAS Ebony are the best looking of the lot
 
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