Strange Cue ID- For Fun

[Chopdoc]

So, I watched a cue sale and was astonished at the price it sold for. I'm pretty sure I know what it is, and I think I know some what bidders might think it is.

Before I let out the details, let's start with this:

Do you recognize this shaft wood, and would you pay over $300 for a cue with that shaft? I left out the joint because some will ID that.

 

[JPB2]

Izzit the infamous ramin wood?

 

[straightline]

Might be bamboo too. Checking now...

Nope. Close in color but wrong figure.

 

[VarmintKong]

I’m guessing that it isn’t the Stradivarius of shaft woods grown in the coldest climates to have the tightest grain and lowest deflection imaginable.

I also have no idea what to look for. I am ready to learn.

---

 

[straightline]

The stick is a Tad. Used to hit a ton.

 

[R2PQZ]

Piss Elm grows in China. Likely candidate.

 

[VarmintKong]

Piss Elm grows in China. Likely candidate.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

My guess, rubber wood.

 

[straightline]

Can't tell without black filler.

 

[Chopdoc]

Izzit the infamous ramin wood?

Yes indeed.

 

[Chopdoc]

Sneaking up on it....

 

[Chopdoc]

Sneaking up on it more.

5/16x14 pin...

 

[Chopdoc]

Is it a flower?
A snake?
A bird?
Pinoy?
Miscegenation?

Pinoy+Bird+Flower=?

 

[Bob Jewett]

I had a shaft made with ramin wood. It's relatively light, so it has naturally low squirt. The blank was really cheap. The grain is not as smooth as maple.

 

[Chopdoc]

I had a shaft made with ramin wood. It's relatively light, so it has naturally low squirt. The blank was really cheap. The grain is not as smooth as maple.

It's actually endangered and protected now, mostly due to the furniture industry, but the "cheap" pool cue industry contributed.

It's extremely unusual to find a "nice" cue with a raminwood shaft.

 

[fastone371]

I’m guessing that it isn’t the Stradivarius of shaft woods grown in the coldest climates to have the tightest grain and lowest deflection imaginable.

I also have no idea what to look for. I am ready to learn.

---

Wouldn't tighter growth rings be more dense making the shaft heavier thereby increasing deflection??

 

[Chopdoc]

Wouldn't tighter growth rings be more dense making the shaft heavier thereby increasing deflection??

Generally yes, but not exclusively. It's a conversation that would go on for days and has numerous times.

In the old days of old growth fat shafts with heavy ferrules, it certainly did.

Depends on a dozen factors of physics with a few supernatural incantations tossed in. (That's a wink, so it's in jest, so let's not get the slide rulers and lasers out.)

 

[Chopdoc]

Closer....

 

[Chopdoc]

This cue, and others in the same line, would typically sell for $150 in brand new condition, with a maple shaft. Never saw one of these with a raminwood shaft, except maybe their low end decal line maybe. But then again, I don't think it was what bidders thought it was anyway.

And this one bid up over $300?

 

[fjk]

The wrap was a good choice.