Pool Ball Collecting.

[XPLSV]

I've had the good fortune of late running into exceptionally kind people offering to help locate a ball set here or there across the globe and last week proved no exception.

I've been hunting for a new set of the Sterling Criss Cross ball set that our very own Rubik's shared within this thread many months ago but I continuously ran into the "out of stock" answer no less than a dozen times with vendors around the world. Until last week.

I fired off an email to Schmelke Cues in the odd chance they may know of their source back when they were stocking and selling this set, when to my amazement, I received a reply stating they just may have one set in a back cabinet "somewhere". And so it was to be. They arrived flawless and as promised from Schmelke Cues in just a few days time...

Here they are:

And for comparison, here again is the CREST Professional branded set of the same design:

K.


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Wonderful!

 

[Rubik's Cube]

Fantastic news, K2K!

And they look to be perfect, absolutely gleaming. The Criss Crossers are one of my favourite ever billiard ball sets, the traditional spots, number fonts and colours combined with a strikingly innovative design. These were probably made in China, but whoever the manufacturers they made a wonderful job of what must have been quite a challenging tooling process.

Bravo, sirs!

 

[BmoreMoney]

Wonderful!

These are very very cool! I like them but I'm fairly certain if I tried to play with them they would screw me up with the " stripes " on the low #erd " solids ".

 

[K2Kraze]

[QUOTE =BmoreMoney] [QUOTE: BmoreMoney] These are very very cool! I like them but I'm fairly certain if I tried to play with them they would screw me up with the " stripes " on the low #erd " solids ". [end quote]

I hear that, BmoreMoney!

They would be a challenge for those games requiring a solids/stripes order....which is why I'll use them for games like BOWLLIARDS or ONE POCKET - when I play left hand vs right hand man.

I'll admit what caught my attention about this set when I first laid eyes on it was the 8 BALL. There was a time when I developed a unique game of EIGHT BALL for a friend that insisted he had serious issues when it came time to pocketing the game winning eight ball during his league play ------ so I thought a game of 15 completely different 8 balls would break him of that nonsense.....and this Criss Cross design would be a perfect addition to that set.

So there you have it - yet another excuse to use for acquiring a new set of balls, my friends - it was the darned 8 ball's fault! You just had to have it to help you with a game preparation technique you heard about And of course you can't buy JUST the 8 ball. Nope. You have to purchase the entire set!



K.



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[K2Kraze]

Now you got me started ----- thinking of excuses for damn 8 balls.....

This is one of those "excuse sets" I call them: sought out specifically for the unique blood red numbered 8 design, officially called the Modern Red Circle set.

That red 8 takes about 5 seconds to get someone's attention when I mix it with a regular set of balls in the initial rack of the evening --- which I'm going to do this week for a night of neighborhood 8 ball

K.


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[BmoreMoney]

Now you got me started ----- thinking of excuses for damn 8 balls.....

This is one of those "excuse sets" I call them: sought out specifically for the unique blood red numbered 8 design, officially called the Modern Red Circle set.

That red 8 takes about 5 seconds to get someone's attention when I mix it with a regular set of balls in the initial rack of the evening --- which I'm going to do this week for a night of neighborhood 8 ball

K.


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I really like the overall style of this whole set. If you don't mind, round about what does a set like these run?

 

[The ProRailbird]

which I'm going to do this week for a night of neighborhood 8 ball

K2K, It really sucks not being neighbors with you !!

Thanks again for sharing everyone!
I've seen a few sets I would like to get when finances allow.

 

[K2Kraze]

I really like the overall style of this whole set. If you don't mind, round about what does a set like these run?

Wow ---- I'm seeing two of this exact set on ebay right now for $39.95 each INCLUDING shipping. I'd pay half that alone for the 8 ball

K.


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[K2Kraze]

These are very very cool! I like them but I'm fairly certain if I tried to play with them they would screw me up with the " stripes " on the low #erd " solids ".

Got me thinking...

How about these? Any easier discerning solids from stripes?

About to shoot a few frames of American Rotation and thought I'd grab a pic for you...

K.


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[Cuebuddy]

Speaking of singles now that you mentioned it, one of these days I'll start posting up various singles I have as well in various categories like training balls or cue balls only. Something different. Sets are nice but so are the unique singles like your Rolling Rock 33 cue ball that can be employed in special games or special occasions or for something else entirely dreamed up at that moment.

It's all in the balls.

So start sharing and posting up those singles too, everyone. There's much to be shared and appreciated out there I'm sure

K.


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OK you got a deal!

Here is a single that turns into a lighter! These do come in full sets but this is the only one I have, and was thrilled to find it.


Just the sticker that says "Flame out" was worth the nine dollars I gave.

 

[BmoreMoney]

Got me thinking...

How about these? Any easier discerning solids from stripes?

About to shoot a few frames of American Rotation and thought I'd grab a pic for you...

K.


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Yeah definitely ! Only problem now I might be mistaking a stripe for a cue ball lol!

 

[Kai]

Bi Centennial Balls

I have this set of Bicentennials. Not in perfect condition as there is discoloring. Still pretty cool in original box (also not perfect) Would be willing to listen to offers.

 

[Scratch85]

Aramith Question

I am not a pool ball collector but love seeing all these sets. I have a couple of questions about Aramith balls and you all seem to be the people who will know.

Are all Aramith Premier sets sold in green boxes? Does/did Aramith make a TV set in the Premier line? I've found an Aramith Premier (green box) set of balls, in TV colors, that are priced like an Aramith Standard set. I've only seen TV sets in the Pro and Tournament line. So I'm confused.

 

[gdc25]

Embarrassed to say, but I forgot about these, as they are also part of what my grandfather used as part of his daily "players". Not sure but I think they are cue balls. I'm positive that one of the experts in this thread can tell me what they are.

just as an FYI... I know the metal thing is a bridge. It was Grandpa's so it sits in a place of reverence.

 

[K2Kraze]

I am not a pool ball collector but love seeing all these sets. I have a couple of questions about Aramith balls and you all seem to be the people who will know.



Are all Aramith Premier sets sold in green boxes? Does/did Aramith make a TV set in the Premier line? I've found an Aramith Premier (green box) set of balls, in TV colors, that are priced like an Aramith Standard set. I've only seen TV sets in the Pro and Tournament line. So I'm confused.

Hello.

One of the entry level Aramith offerings, the Premiers are a classic design and really hold up well for home use if cared for regularly.

The Premiers only come in the "official" green Aramith box and were never offered in a TV Edition that I've ever known about.

The Premier design is also the only style they've made a modern era Baseball add-on set in the 16-21 numbered balls, which have moved into the "hard to get" category since they didn't manufacture that many sets....here is a picture for reference:

As for seeing TV ball sets advertised (eBay and such) in the plain green Premier box or referring to them as true Premiers, I would say that most people selling ball sets don't know the difference between set variances and will place them in any ball box to get them sold.

So ----- did I cover everything? Any other questions or ideas, don't hesitate with a PM or posts here in the thread. Hope that helps to some degree

K.



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[K2Kraze]

Embarrassed to say, but I forgot about these, as they are also part of what my grandfather used as part of his daily "players". Not sure but I think they are cue balls. I'm positive that one of the experts in this thread can tell me what they are.

just as an FYI... I know the metal thing is a bridge. It was Grandpa's so it sits in a place of reverence.

What a fantastic display, sir! What I wouldn't give to have such remembrances of my grandfathers over the decades.....simply beautiful!

Those are indeed cue balls and with a little more time and pulling out some older billiard supply catalogs, their details could easily be uncovered.

Love the bridge head!

K.


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[K2Kraze]

OK you got a deal!

Here is a single that turns into a lighter! These do come in full sets but this is the only one I have, and was thrilled to find it.


Just the sticker that says "Flame out" was worth the nine dollars I gave.

Quite an interesting and eclectic collection you have there, Cuebuddy - I certainly enjoy your thread offerings and can only imagine what your display of intriguing oddities must look like and the questions guests must ask

What is the size of the lighter? And have you tried it?

What else are you holding out on us - or are you trying to spread things out within the thread like a few guys I know of

K.




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[Scratch85]

As for seeing TV ball sets advertised (eBay and such) in the plain green Premier box or referring to them as true Premiers, I would say that most people selling ball sets don't know the difference between set variances and will place them in any ball box to get them sold.

So ----- did I cover everything? Any other questions or ideas, don't hesitate with a PM or posts here in the thread. Hope that helps to some degree

K.



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Thanks, you pretty much covered it all. Hopefully with a few more details you can tell me what you think they are.

They are at a small billiards shop in my area. They are being sold as new, in a green box, are a TV set with a measles ball and priced at 110.00 USD. They are in a case so I haven't inspected them.

Is there anyway, short of being experienced enough to know, that I can tell if they are Aramiths? What is your opinion of what they may be? I would be very surprised if they are intentionally misrepresenting what the balls are. But it is a mom-and-pop shop that may have had them for a while and, unwittingly, moved them from box to box to display.

 

[K2Kraze]

Get some pics from them using their smart phone and post them or send to me via PM and we'll see what they have.


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[Scratch85]

No longer confused

I went back to the shop that is going out of business to buy the TV set that I had seen. It was in a blue Pro Series box! Now my only confusion is whether I was wrong about it being in the green box or they changed it. The good news is, it was still priced at $110.00 and I got 25% off that. So $82.50 for a new set of TV Pro-Cup balls. Not a great find or anything but at least a decent buy.

Thanks for helping me out.