Custom & Production Cue Wraps

[desertfox14.1]

Cue collectors, players, and cue makers; what are your preferences regarding the location of the wrap on your cues?

• As a collector I find wraps closer to the butt much more aesthetically pleasing, so much that I don't purchase cues made from Manzino, Carmeli, Lomax, etc., although I am a HUGE fan of their work.
• Cue makers; are there cue building considerations for the location of the wrap?
  • Does a wrap like the attached photo where it's close to the butt cap pose any particular challenges?
  • Are butt-sleeves still a thing?
• Players; Does the location of the wrap impact your mindset (disrupt flow-state)?
  • Examples:
    • When reaching for a difficult cueball position?
    • When elevating for a drawshot near the rail?
    • When breaking?
• Finally; Which side of the two extreme wrap locations does you preference lie?

 

[Zerksies]

I like something a bit closer to the butt then a traditional

 

[JasonATX]

I'm 6'4", so I prefer either closer to the butt cap or wrapless on a standard length cue. It doesn't really bother me though if it's a standard wrap, I just find myself gripping the butt sleeve on quite a few shots. One day, I'll get a custom 60" or 62" cue made to see if I like that better or not.

I'm not a cue maker, but I would assume two things about using a standard wrap location. One, that's where most players would want the wrap, and two most high-end designs would use an ornate butt sleeve.

 

[garczar]

I voted wrapless. If wrapped i'd prefer cork closer to the butt end.

 

[HawaiianEye]

I grip the cue where the front of my hand is about 3" down from the top of the wrap so my hand never gets near the bottom of the wrap unless I am stretching for a shot I can't reach.

Therefore, I prefer the traditional old-school positioning of the wrap for cosmetic reasons.

 

[Xdecemberguy]

I prefer a traditional wrap..because I always have a reference on where to place my back hand for proper form...right at the bottom of the wrap where it ends..thanks

 

[SSP]

I prefer a traditional wrap..because I always have a reference on where to place my back hand for proper form...right at the bottom of the wrap where it ends..thanks

This is really the only reason I prefer a wrap, I place my hand exactly where you are, I think it helps me get a consistent sight picture as well.

 

[Flakeandrun]

• Players; Does the location of the wrap impact your mindset (disrupt flow-state)?
  • Examples:
    • When reaching for a difficult cueball position?

No not really any impact, occasionally when playing a ball from the rails, my thumb and forefinger make contact with the bottom of the wrap on my cue. Besides that, my hands grip fits on the space below the wrap, between it and the 2cm extension I have. I am just over 6ft tall, and use a Zen cue (being made for an asian market, I feel the wrap is slightly more forward). This works for me, as I prefer wrapless, like my snooker cue, or the Vigus I used previously. And the space between the extension and wrap works out almost perfectly as an identifier for where my grip should be. So, guess I use the wrap more as a reference for where my hand should be, more than I do for any grip.

• When elevating for a drawshot near the rail?

Guess I just answered this. It's more for when the cueball is frozen to the rail. I play this with a slight slip-stroke. I notice my thumb and forefinger edge the wrap, and I guess this has become an almost subconscious point of reference during the shot.

• When breaking?

Use a PBkai with rubber grip. I like the rubber more worn, as it currently is. Breaking, and the mechanics involved I feel are very subjective. We aim to replicate the same feeling regularly, and I feel I can achieve this with the current wrap. I am slightly anxious as it deteriorates, as I live in a climate that goes from very humid to very dry. I consider replacing it with a stacked leather in the future, and anticipate some adjustment time.

• Finally; Which side of the two extreme wrap locations does you preference lie?

Personally, I would go wrapless.

I will post a couple pictures of my cues up later for reference. Interesting thread.

 

[desertfox14.1]

No not really any impact, occasionally when playing a ball from the rails, my thumb and forefinger make contact with the bottom of the wrap on my cue. Besides that, my hands grip fits on the space below the wrap, between it and the 2cm extension I have. I am just over 6ft tall, and use a Zen cue (being made for an asian market, I feel the wrap is slightly more forward). This works for me, as I prefer wrapless, like my snooker cue, or the Vigus I used previously. And the space between the extension and wrap works out almost perfectly as an identifier for where my grip should be. So, guess I use the wrap more as a reference for where my hand should be, more than I do for any grip.

• When elevating for a drawshot near the rail?

Guess I just answered this. It's more for when the cueball is frozen to the rail. I play this with a slight slip-stroke. I notice my thumb and forefinger edge the wrap, and I guess this has become an almost subconscious point of reference during the shot.

• When breaking?

Use a PBkai with rubber grip. I like the rubber more worn, as it currently is. Breaking, and the mechanics involved I feel are very subjective. We aim to replicate the same feeling regularly, and I feel I can achieve this with the current wrap. I am slightly anxious as it deteriorates, as I live in a climate that goes from very humid to very dry. I consider replacing it with a stacked leather in the future, and anticipate some adjustment time.

• Finally; Which side of the two extreme wrap locations does you preference lie?

Personally, I would go wrapless.

I will post a couple pictures of my cues up later for reference. Interesting thread.

Thanks for addressing multiple questions. Although each question was posed as open ended, I secretly wanted people to note aspects like slip stroke, as you have, the difference between wrap location and balance point, or the correlation between grip location and conventional vs low deflection shafts.

The responses have NOT been similar to player opinions at the local pool hall.

 

[SSP]

Cue collectors, players, and cue makers; what are your preferences regarding the location of the wrap on your cues?

• As a collector I find wraps closer to the butt much more aesthetically pleasing, so much that I don't purchase cues made from Manzino, Carmeli, Lomax, etc., although I am a HUGE fan of their work.
• Cue makers; are there cue building considerations for the location of the wrap?
  • Does a wrap like the attached photo where it's close to the butt cap pose any particular challenges?
  • Are butt-sleeves still a thing?
• Players; Does the location of the wrap impact your mindset (disrupt flow-state)?
  • Examples:
    • When reaching for a difficult cueball position?
    • When elevating for a drawshot near the rail?
    • When breaking?
• Finally; Which side of the two extreme wrap locations does you preference lie?

I think I use a pretty traditional grip, not too tight or too loose, I do change grip location for balls near a rail whether I am drawing or not unless it's a long shot, having the wrap doesn't affect me for those type of shots, if I am playing position well I don't get too many on the rail shots.....I get a lot of practice with on the rail shots

 

[Hail Mary Shot]

I like wrapless because it looks clean and natural and don't like the idea of the wrap disintegrating over time. although there are times that I like playing with a wrap when my grip is slippery. as far as location, average as I moved my handling occasionally whether further back or shorter on certain occasions.