Everyone def has an opinion and is entitled to it. That's what makes us human. I am not being rude when I say this or arguing just saying a good point. Just because I love BB and swear by them has no influence in this because I also love Mike Cochran , Scruggs , and Searing Cues. I have no intention to get anyone to like something they don't, or buy something or change their mind but to educate more on BB cues as questions are asked. But mainly if you are really that interested call Black Boar no one explains it better.
Knowing both cue makers, that's a great thing when tony started out and that's him today he has passion for pool and the player he wants them happy. Some People use to talk smack about his theories, but everyone respects them now that knows him and those theories. Now people are blown away by him and his pretty much he's the top cue maker in the world. The day someone produces something that tops his work I'll Be impressed sure some Coke close but there are many that say I can do that but we have yet to see it. One could call it funny but what's funny is Bob should have sat with him and learned something because they are friends, maybe he could produce a cue and for the money and excellence Tony brings today but then again maybe Bob didn't want too but I don't understand why any maker wouldn't want to . Tony's players are some of the most sought after best hitting cues out there. Matter of fact what's so funny is that Mike Cochran who worked for Tim Scruggs for ever making beautiful playing cues and then his own line of amazing cues was learning more from Tony before he died. Mike was going to leave Tims shop when it was appropriate to do so to work with Tony I think when a lease was up or something along them lines, he was loyal to Tim but saw what kinda cues Tony made and how they played, sure Mike saw better money but Mike knew the talent, excellence, & image. Mike never got that opportunity because he left us all way too soon. But when I hear stories about a lot of I didn't like the hit, not every time but most I ask what cue it was and someone says well this 4point cue (which I'll agree were hit or miss) and I'm like shhhhhhhhhhhhh try this people's eyes light up and say damnnnnnnnnnnn what a cue. Ten years ago Tony made 8pt cues and African Blackwood cues. I can't imagine they play like crap, but then again everyone likes a different hit. I respect that. With his new African Blackwood cues Tony has mastered playability for using that's woods properties , using a stainless steel joint 5/16x14, ferrule less shafts , and taking the handle to a thin yet manageable parabolic taper and along with his construction of said cue makes for an outstanding playing cue, also along with their inlays /art makes the most elegant looking cue on the market today. There's a book written I'll get the name which tells you all the outstanding things about African Blackwood and Tony saw this and knew it was one of the best playing woods on the planet. Tony is an engineer as well as a cue maker. He is always striving to make stuff better. After all he didn't round up a few of the best players and have them test hit his players cues using is slim handle, slight parabolic taper handle, stainless joint, ivory joint, ivory over stainless joint, ivory ferrules, then ferrule less low deflection shafts for nothing and these players can play and their stroke can do stuff most can't. At the end of the day all agree the African Blackwood with stainless steel joint ferrule less shafts slight parabolic taper handle is the nutz. Will another maker do that and get same results I don't know but it's what works for Tony.
Funny story I showed up years ago at SBE with an $8,000 African Blackwood cue. I let a few dealers, players, and friends of dealers which were players hit with this cue. The only thing was different was it had Tony's slim standard handle. Everyone was amazed. A dealer ended up buying the cue off me. But funny thing is because many were price shy everyone had to have his ferrule less shafts, people were like can he make one for a Scruggs, a searing, a Gina, and so on but the answer was no. But because of that many reached out and bought BB cues ranging from 8-40k. At the end of the day yes it's a lot of money, but money well spent to some for an iconic symbol of excellence. Just knowing what tony does by hand in house is interesting, Craig explains some of it on his own BB web site go check it out.
Just like a Rolex Submariner stainless with date retails $8110.00 people are like wtf would you buy that for that's crazy but when one has one it's a symbol of pride excellence and something that is made very very well. It's passed down to your kids,just like the most prized Black Boar should be. Some people don't like that kinda thing and that's ok.
Questions how did Gina Cue get his cues to the same price Tony did? He's the west coat Tony technically but with a totally different style. Do people say the play good yes, play like shit yes, love them yes, own and pay the price for them yes, say the price is crazy yes, but it's all to ones opinion which on the site or in person should be respected. It doesn't offend me at all I appreciate everyone's opinion some though is through lack of knowledge about the subject so they should reach out here for opinions but contact the source and when you can try one of you can find someone who plays their cue and not just collects it. Southwest kid on here Mike Z has some of the finest boars made. He got a new style fancy players cue from me and entered a big tournament over 2-3 days in FL placed 2nd and hasn't played as much as he liked, he wasn't far from 1st but in the end 1st is 1st 2nd is 2nd, but for that it goes to show he picked up a cue from BB new specs and it worked for him 110% must say something about the build and that's a great accomplishment. But at he end of the day lay Tony's cue next to any makers out and the work stands out, play with it and it will satisfy a pro player, is it a lot well that's in the pocket / heart/ bank of the buyer but you get what you pay for. I've noticed over the years when you put his cue in the hands of players with no stroke, or who can't play, or a player who can't tell you what a cue should be they don't care for his cues. Put it in the handle of a player and boom their eyes light up. Not saying anyone who don't like them can't play but when I've seen feedback statiscally it was from novice players.
Check Craig's site on out bb you get a few of your questions answered even though it's a dated site the rest can come from BB
http://blackboarcustomcues.com/guarantee/default.asp
