The problem is that "best available" is wholly subjective. Heck, even the usage of "better" is almost always 100% subjective in the world of pool. What do we even define as standard? Would it be rolls straight, screwed on type, and has a rounded tip that can hold chalk? If so, then every cue from Lucky up can be considered at least a standard "arrow". Beyond that, what makes a Southwest cue better than a Nitti or Jerico? Shoot, what makes a Southwest cue better than a Mezz or even a McDermott? I've shot with one before, wasn't impressed at all. At the same time, I have a Schmelke Sneaky Pete as a house cue for my personal table that can pot balls as well as any cue I own. I bet if we take "feel" and "hit" out of the equation and gave all our cues to a robot, that the vast majority of this board won't like the results.
At the end of the day, things like feel or hit have nothing to do with the actual performance of a cue as long as it shoots true and everything else is 100% in our heads. That's why Earl Strickland could stand at the pinnacle using that POS fiberglass shaft that Cuetec peddled. That's why sponsored pros use whatever cues are given to them in tournaments.