Hey, man, I'm not usually one for semantics, but... It's called a "bumper." A "butt plug" is an entirely different thing. Although, as they say, anything can be a butt plug if you're brave enough.
Jerry Rauenzahn signed all his cues?
- Thread starter joemuffler
- Start date
Jerry made cues like the grand masters of cue making. He was so knowledgeable about the greats,
especially George Balabushka’s cue making. I was fortunate to have him build me a couple of cues
one of which we collaborated on the final design. His cue making is flawless and Jerry’s demeanor
is just friendly & pleasant as can be. He is a man of his word and he made my cue buying experience
not only exciting and enjoyable but memorable to this very day. Dean Campbell introduced me to Jerry.
Jerry and I collaborated on one of the 2 cues he made. the other cue was a replica of the prettiest Tim
Scruggs cue I ever saw owned by Kevin Lindstrom. I asked Jerry to make one just like that design but
he declined. He said he doesn’t like stealing another cue maker’s design. So I asked what if I changed
the look with different veneers and he was okay with that. So I sent Jerry a photo of Kevin’s Scruggs cue.
Jerry suggested using ivory instead of Elkhorn for the rings. I was worried about durability and he asked
how many ivory ferrules have I had to replace since all my other cues have them. I said never and so we
used ivory everywhere. The cue turned out splendid and the hit is really firm even at 18.5 ozs.
The 2nd cue turned out like a golden sunset with the forearm. It is really one of the prettiest combinations
I’ve seen and I’ve viewed lots of cues. Jerry and I talked every 2 weeks while my cues were underway and
talked about cue making, his fondness for fishing, and even his approach to winding down his cue making.
It was my good fortune to have met Jerry whom I still consider a dear acquaintance. His cue making is great.
I feel lucky to have been introduced to Jerry and Bob Owen in late 2012 and both built me two customs at the
same time. The first cues were completed within a month of each other and I ordered another cue from Jerry
and Bob within 2 weeks of getting the first cues. They had to rush the builds to finish before the CA ivory ban
took effect ion July 1, 2016. Well, both cues arrived Memorial Day weekend 2016. I’d do it again in a heartbeat.
especially George Balabushka’s cue making. I was fortunate to have him build me a couple of cues
one of which we collaborated on the final design. His cue making is flawless and Jerry’s demeanor
is just friendly & pleasant as can be. He is a man of his word and he made my cue buying experience
not only exciting and enjoyable but memorable to this very day. Dean Campbell introduced me to Jerry.
Jerry and I collaborated on one of the 2 cues he made. the other cue was a replica of the prettiest Tim
Scruggs cue I ever saw owned by Kevin Lindstrom. I asked Jerry to make one just like that design but
he declined. He said he doesn’t like stealing another cue maker’s design. So I asked what if I changed
the look with different veneers and he was okay with that. So I sent Jerry a photo of Kevin’s Scruggs cue.
Jerry suggested using ivory instead of Elkhorn for the rings. I was worried about durability and he asked
how many ivory ferrules have I had to replace since all my other cues have them. I said never and so we
used ivory everywhere. The cue turned out splendid and the hit is really firm even at 18.5 ozs.
The 2nd cue turned out like a golden sunset with the forearm. It is really one of the prettiest combinations
I’ve seen and I’ve viewed lots of cues. Jerry and I talked every 2 weeks while my cues were underway and
talked about cue making, his fondness for fishing, and even his approach to winding down his cue making.
It was my good fortune to have met Jerry whom I still consider a dear acquaintance. His cue making is great.
I feel lucky to have been introduced to Jerry and Bob Owen in late 2012 and both built me two customs at the
same time. The first cues were completed within a month of each other and I ordered another cue from Jerry
and Bob within 2 weeks of getting the first cues. They had to rush the builds to finish before the CA ivory ban
took effect ion July 1, 2016. Well, both cues arrived Memorial Day weekend 2016. I’d do it again in a heartbeat.
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His work is absolutely outstanding. Jerry and I talked about the design that I wanted and he was very accommodating. The cue has a very special meaning for me, so it was placed on the wall rack, never chalked, never hit a ball, but I look at it every day.
We're in the process of remodeling for a pool room. Part of our plan is to acquire one of Jerry's cues for exactly the same reason...
My daughter is a 53 year old RN with years of ER and OR experience. She has told me some tales. So, all I can say is be careful with that.Hey, man, I'm not usually one for semantics, but... It's called a "bumper." A "butt plug" is an entirely different thing. Although, as they say, anything can be a butt plug if you're brave enough.
It's crazy how many people "slip and fall" onto objects.My daughter is a 53 year old RN with years of ER and OR experience. She has told me some tales. So, all I can say is be careful with that.
Rusty in Montana
Well-known member
I feel you're pain and after giving it a great deal of thought I do believe that I could somehow manage to play a few thousand racks of pool with either of those pool cue's thank you for sharing pictures of them with us !
Obviously, when you buy or get a cue as a gift, inheritance or any means, it is yours to do with as you wish.
When it comes to pool cues, it really all comes down to 3 things: design execution, construction & performance.
You can easily appreciate the masterful way Jerry builds a cue and think of it as artistry. So displaying it to admire
is quite understandable. The beauty of the design, whether simplistic or ornate, is easy to behold and just enjoy.
What I have never understood is stopping there. Just being pleased to own that very cue should be sufficient and
for some cue owners, that’s all that’s needed. To me, that’s akin to ordering a Tomahawk Steak at a famous steak
house and after it arrives, I photo how wonderful it looks and smells as it was sliced but leave without tasting it.
Owning a special cue, regardless of its rarity or price, involves playing with it. I want to, I need to form my own
Impression and opinion of the cue and its playability. The cue can look splendid but judging on appearance alone
is rather short sighted and naive. Otherwise I am deferring to others about how well or great a Jerry R. cue plays.
I can’t rubber stamp the opinions of others if I don’t also have an opinion. I’m not some shill. Over the years I owned
more than a few cues made by really top names like Mottey, Black, Stroud, White. I can tell you about the feel and how
the cue and shafts differed and what I loved too. Mottey’s piloted ivory joints are equal to the feel of a flat ivory joint.
So I feel obligated to play with a cue I get, especially if I ordered it. It’s like having a classic car and never driving it or
ever enjoying owning it in public on an occasional drive. So when someone asks you how does that gorgeous Jerry R.
cue play, what’ya say? Oh, one of his best, or amazing….or so I’m assuming…..I dunno know & I’m not even curious?
Jerry built that cue to be appreciated for its functionality, i.e., performance, as much as it’s curbside appeal. If you just
look at it, it’s basically a piece of wood working art. A cue should fulfill its purpose which is to hit a cue ball. If you are
a great cue maker, then your cues should hit a cue ball better than another cue for some players. And the only way that
happens, and can ever be judged or verified, is to actually play with the pool cue.
When you fail to do that, you really can’t personally refer to that cue as a great hitting pool. You could say that others have commented Jerry R. cues do play amazing. But honestly, about all you can do is attest to the cue’s appearance. For me, it’s entirely different. I play with all my cues that have flat ivory joints because the cues were built with specs that are the same sizes & weights from shafts to cue butts and even use the same tips. I want to enjoy the playability of my pool cues.
I don’t care how much a cue costs. If it were mine, its’s going to get played. Otherwise, I don’t see any reason to own it.
I have a pre-64 Winchester Model 70 in 30-06 still unfired. I inherited it and the only reason I haven’t shot it is this rifle
would lose a lot of value because used pre-64 Model 70 Winchester in immaculate condition sell for a lot of money. But
a new unfired one, well, that’s a rifle you want to sell using a professional gun auction house because that’s big bucks.
Otherwise, all my other rifles and handguns are used. Heck, that’s the sheer enjoyment of owning them and so are cues.
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