Leather wrap

C

Cephalad

New member
I've got a couple cue buts I would like to replace the Irish linen wrap on. I really prefer the feel of Irish linen, but.my thinking is to replace with leather because linen is so hard to clean. I know many skilled players like wrapless but that's not my preference. So a couple questions.....

Who should I get to do this? Any recommendations? I'm not talking about $10k pool cues here but I'd like quality materials and workmanship. I don't mind paying for skill or waiting for availabilities.

Also, what kind of leather? I've heard elephant ear is durable and soft on the hand but my quick online search shows a wide variation in price, and maybe variation in authenticity. Any suggestions? I'm not looking for anything ostentatious, just a good grip.

Thanks!
Andrew
 
Cephalad said:
I've got a couple cue buts I would like to replace the Irish linen wrap on. I really prefer the feel of Irish linen, but.my thinking is to replace with leather because linen is so hard to clean. I know many skilled players like wrapless but that's not my preference. So a couple questions.....

Who should I get to do this? Any recommendations? I'm not talking about $10k pool cues here but I'd like quality materials and workmanship. I don't mind paying for skill or waiting for availabilities.

Also, what kind of leather? I've heard elephant ear is durable and soft on the hand but my quick online search shows a wide variation in price, and maybe variation in authenticity. Any suggestions? I'm not looking for anything ostentatious, just a good grip.

Thanks!
Andrew
Click to expand...
I've got Spanish Bull on one cue and smooth 'bushka-style on another. Both are great. Most good cue makers/repair guys can install one. Last one i had done was by Cody Cash(PK Custom Cues on FB). Came out perfect. He's in Wichita. Does really nice work at really fair prices.
 
Gil Castillo…Castillo Leather….he’s done 1/2 doz. cues for my friend, his wife and son.
The leather is outstanding, great selection and quality of work is immaculately clean. At
the trade shows he attends, he gets inundated with requests to install a leather wrap. He
was at the recent BCA show and he was just buried with new wrap requests and since
viewing his workmanship, I understand why. My 2nd choice is Martin B.@ Superior Cues.
 
I have Lizard leather on my OB. I absolutely love it! It is more textured then other leathers, but it has a good feel, hasn't soaked sweat or dirt, and it looks cool as hell!

Maybe you can call some cue repair shops in Florida. They have an Iguana and Python problem and skins should be readily available and reasonably priced. I've seen one cue with Python. It was really cool.

Shark skin and Ostrich are two others. Many many options to customize over and above cow leather. Shark and Lizard are both less expensive then one would think.
 
Cephalad said:
I've got a couple cue buts I would like to replace the Irish linen wrap on. I really prefer the feel of Irish linen, but.my thinking is to replace with leather because linen is so hard to clean. I know many skilled players like wrapless but that's not my preference. So a couple questions.....

Who should I get to do this? Any recommendations? I'm not talking about $10k pool cues here but I'd like quality materials and workmanship. I don't mind paying for skill or waiting for availabilities.

Also, what kind of leather? I've heard elephant ear is durable and soft on the hand but my quick online search shows a wide variation in price, and maybe variation in authenticity. Any suggestions? I'm not looking for anything ostentatious, just a good grip.

Thanks!
Andrew
Click to expand...
How much do your hands sweat?
If they don't sweat, get what ever you wish. If they sweat a lot, then elephant and shark are good choices. I like Lizard but I had a customer who hands sweat so much. It ate it up in 6 months.
 
How much croc do you need? You skin these two, pilgrim, and I'll find you another.
cr27.jpg

IMG_0507.jpg


Or how about some nice fresh pink eyelash viper?
IMG_2866.jpg
 
Michael Webb said:
How much do your hands sweat?
If they don't sweat, get what ever you wish. If they sweat a lot, then elephant and shark are good choices. I like Lizard but I had a customer who hands sweat so much. It ate it up in 6 months.
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Wow! I would expect that out of cow hide, but Lizard? My hands do sweat a little, but mine looks as good as the day I got it. Are you sure the guy wasn't cleaning it with something he shouldn't have been?
 
buckshotshoey said:
Wow! I would expect that out of cow hide, but Lizard? My hands do sweat a little, but mine looks as good as the day I got it. Are you sure the guy wasn't cleaning it with something he shouldn't have been?
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I agree but you never get the real story when they're trying to get something for free.
 
Leather isn't that easy to clean either, as it wears is gets dull. Elephant ear is not legal I believe. My AE has croc and it feels good but is dulling from wear. I would go back to linen in the future but it may not be possible if the cut is too deep. A member corrected me on the wrap, this looks to be lizard.
1F497343-9352-4109-8A71-A7B75701DB61.jpeg
 
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Michael Webb said:
How much do your hands sweat?
If they don't sweat, get what ever you wish. If they sweat a lot, then elephant and shark are good choices. I like Lizard but I had a customer who hands sweat so much. It ate it up in 6 months.
Click to expand...
I agree here with Mike- good advice- if you play in a humid environment or your hands do not play dry- straight leather wraps can be an issue. If you insist on leather and you have either playing situation please take his advice. Your leather wrap will most probably be dark in color- so a dark linen wrap would not be hard to keep clean looking either.
Magic eraser thin sheets are doing wonders for keeping linen wraps clean these days.
 
dirtvictim said:
Leather isn't that easy to clean either, as it wears is gets dull. Elephant ear is not legal I believe. My AE has croc and it feels good but is dulling from wear. I would go back to linen in the future but it may not be possible if the cut is too deep.
View attachment 644012
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That's "croc". I have the same wrap on mine and it was advertised as "Italian lizard".
 
Proficient Billiards did a great job for me, gorgeous Cognac Lizard on a old D20 Refinish. And love the Spanish Bullhide Keith Josey did for me on D19 Dice Cue
 
I have white with green spec on my Rick Howard.
I consider it "character" to show some signs of normal use.
I keep my hands clean and take excellent care of my equipment.
I wipe my shafts and butts off after a session and especially wipe all chalk off the tips before putting them away in my cases.
I do not 'clean' the linen although on occasion I'll wipe it with a bounce, holding my hand in place and turning the cue to sort
of keep it nice and smooth.
 
dirtvictim said:
Leather isn't that easy to clean either, as it wears is gets dull. Elephant ear is not legal I believe. My AE has croc and it feels good but is dulling from wear. I would go back to linen in the future but it may not be possible if the cut is too deep.
View attachment 644012
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If you do a Google search on elephant leather cue wraps, you’ll find plenty of sellers.
The softest elephant leather is from the belly, not the ears. I have a elephant ear wrap
on a cue and also have a elephant belly (deluxe) wrap. The difference is like night and
day. The ear wrap is very pebbly while the belly wrap is much smoother…..Martin B. at
Superior Cues was the source for the elephant belly leather wrap I used on my cue. The
other wrap is the original wrap that was on my EP cue. It is not my favorite style leather.
 
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MajorMiscue said:
That's "croc". I have the same wrap on mine and it was advertised as "Italian lizard".
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Interesting, bruce told me a few years ago it is croc. I honestly don't know the difference. It's nice though. I may take some time to look into it further but I'm not too concerned.
 
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