It's a deal, dear fellow!
Hello, everyone.
Just to offer my two pence worth on the subject of counterfeits, gentlemen. There are definitely examples of fake Raschig numberless sets out there online. I know this for a fact because I deliberately purchased one recently to further my knowledge and compare with the genuine articles. Here is what was learnt:
1. Original Raschigs all weigh in the region of 163 to 165 grams. The copies are much heavier, some of them are over 175 grams.
2. The yellow stripe on the counterfeit Bumblebee is 31 mm wide, whereas the authentic ball is slightly narrower at 29 mm.
3. Fake Raschig R9s are either supplied in a green Aramith box or the generic black bubble design favoured by Chinese manufacturers. I have yet to see a counterfeit set offered in a genuine-looking blue box with the West Germany logo, but who's to say that won't happen in the future? Buyer beware as always. If there isn't a genuine box present, however tatty, be suspicious.
4. Original Raschigs boast a deep lustre that the copiers have not yet matched.
5. Original Raschigs are fractionally smaller than most standard balls. The counterfeit balls fit extremely snugly in the recesses of my Aramith Tournament case. The originals are very slightly loose.
That's all I can think of for the moment, gentlemen. I hope it might help some.
Best wishes,
RC.
I was thinking maybe not post this and if people want to know you can PM them. Surely people forging things would do a quick search and see this valuable information to correct their mistakes.
I purchased two Spyderco Para Military knives a few years ago. I was very concerned about counterfeits and ensured I ordered from factory licensed resellers. I also ordered a $12 counterfeit direct from China. The $12 copy was nearly identical to the $135 original. Box was nearly identical. Insert had a grammar mistake and a spelling mistake. If I did not have the actual items side by side, I would not have been able to pick out the one as a fake. Kind of scary. I am pretty sure the steel would have been inferior. I don’t use it—it sits in the drawer as the occasional talking point.
Since the billiard ball experts are all here, I thought I'd ask: are the cleaner and restorer solutions really any good? I've ordered a spray bottle each of Aramith Cleaner and Restorer, in anticipation of a new table with balls. Do these really work? Any idea of the ingredients?
Thanks,
jv
Hope that helps, jv
~ K.
Wow, thank you so much for the quick and detailed reply!
I was going to ask about starting with just soap and water, but you've answered that for me. I was also thinking about the eyeglass cleaner I make: 1/2 alcohol, 1/2 distilled water, a couple of drops of dishwashing detergent. In addition, I have a product called Brillianize that I have used over the years on plastic eyeglass lenses, and now on the acrylic lenses on my boat hatches. I really like it. Have you ever used it on pool balls?
Thanks,
jv
You’re welcome, jv!
Yes, I have the Brillianize product that I use for various other applications of acrylic - and yes, I’ve included that product in testing I’ve done over the years. It is a great product for use as intended - zero abrasives. But it will not “clean” or erase the impact marks or numerous things left behind from pockets or even (most) chalk marks. Abrasion isn’t a bad thing when used properly
I know you’re only asking for advice, which, we all know, there is no shortage of on the world wide web of experts - Which is why I put it all into perspective from my humble point of view in the shortened list of 4) above.
Let me put things another way whilst sipping this amazing Madeline blend from Nespresso...... IF you are willing to bench test your ball set(s) and simply are the adventurous and explorative type, that wants and needs to discover lessons best learned with one’s own experiments, by all means try anything. Which leads me to my point: WOULD YOU do that experimenting on a ball set that you knew no others existed and were priceless to you? Irreplaceable.
Personally, I can recommend the blue label Aramith Billiard Ball Cleaner without once second of delay or thought - Which - I only use on the numerous irreplaceable, ultra rare and priceless ball sets that I have and actually play with - bar none.
~ K.
Sometimes you see something that catches your eye and the only real reason is “why not”
At first sight, this set that I picked up from another collector just may qualify for that answer:
Then....you pull out your jeweler’s scale and put them to the the test of weight....and find they are remarkably within 1.0 grams across all 16 balls. And they are not silk screened numbers or coloring. Roll tests with the stimpmeter are perfect. Zero rolloff. A resin compound that cleans up well with minimal contact abrasions. Throw and skids are non existent with a clean cue ball....
Verdict: if it catches your eye and you like it, then buy them and play them. Bright colors. Bright whites that will make your table lighting look expensive The balls - Inexpensive. Something different. Just for fun.
~ K.
Since things often come in pairs....or at least similar pairs:
This set comes from the same Chinese manufacturer as the one I shared previous to this one - same whites - variation in color.... and a surprise last night I hadn’t noticed before:
Both sets glow in the dark for hours after it’s lights-out.
~ K.
Sometimes you see something that catches your eye and the only real reason is “why not”
At first sight, this set that I picked up from another collector just may qualify for that answer:
Then....you pull out your jeweler’s scale and put them to the the test of weight....and find they are remarkably within 1.0 grams across all 16 balls. And they are not silk screened numbers or coloring. Roll tests with the stimpmeter are perfect. Zero rolloff. A resin compound that cleans up well with minimal contact abrasions. Throw and skids are non existent with a clean cue ball....
Verdict: if it catches your eye and you like it, then buy them and play them. Bright colors. Bright whites that will make your table lighting look expensive The balls - Inexpensive. Something different. Just for fun.
~ K.
Since things often come in pairs....or at least similar pairs:
This set comes from the same Chinese manufacturer as the one I shared previous to this one - same whites - variation in color.... and a surprise last night I hadn’t noticed before:
Both sets glow in the dark for hours after it’s lights-out.
~ K.