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I saw Mike at the lathe when he worked with Joss Cues in Baltimore in the 70s. I have no trouble believing he did build cues in Florida.

True. The final very often is just not conducive to great play.

Oops, correct. Ortman won in 1989, Chicago. Yep, he beat Mizerak in the final. Horribly played by both. Happens to the best. Probably the most notable thing was Sigel running 150 on Rempe.

I'm not aware of Varner winning a U.S. Open straight pool tournament. Also, bear in mind, they were not exactly played consecutively in the 70s and 80s. Steve Mizerak bagged I believe four in a row in the mid 70s, then it wasn't played for a while. Believe Mike's most recent wins were 1989...

You left out Sigel in 1992, New York, Roosevelt Hotel. Sigel first place, Dallas West, second. Believe it was called the U.S. Open. It was a fine line between U.S. and World Open Straight tournaments, I couldn't see much of a difference. It was just a matter of getting enough sponsorship to...

You may have something there, but Towson, Maryland for Mike Sigel, and Owensboro, Kentucky for Nick Varner, are not exactly on opposite sides of the country. However, I get what you mean. Being a DC area resident for all this time, I saw a great deal of Mike Sigel, not so much of Nick Varner...

But I would guess you didn't see him play. This isn't a personality contest. It's skill and record.

Sigel, by a long shot. Straight pool championships in what, 1980, 1989, 1992, and maybe another year? Something like over 100 tournament wins. Varner, great player, but I'm not aware that his record was anywhere near Sigel's.

Very nice old Tad. This one's a bit unusual, as it has Bushka-stale rings on the joint collars, rather than the more typical maple box rings.

What he really meant was that points tighten the butt up a bit. It's a bit stronger construction to put points in, assuming they're done right.

As I recall, Ray preferred a triple braided nylon, rather than linen. My bet would be that's what it was.

You're not forgetting anything. The linen today comes from China, and it's more plastic than linen. I've heard rumors of better linen underway elsewhere, but nothing coming yet. If you have a cue with the old stuff, keep it in good shape. All the best, WW

Agree. I think it was Gus Szamboti who said he could make plain cues better playing than the fancier cues with a lot of inlays. He was probably right. I have fancy cues too, but these are very nice. Hard to believe one has Cortland wrap, and one doesn't. The one that doesn't has the good...

Yep, one ebony with the ivory joint, rosewood with the steel joint cue. Both old school.

Asketh, and ye shall receiveth. https://forums.azbilliards.com/threads/tim-scruggs-windows-and-barbells.255568/ https://forums.azbilliards.com/threads/tim-scruggs-four-pointers.262909/

Actually, these aren't brass, Michael. They're the regular 3/8 X 10 stainless steel Acme pins. They're a very high polish, and my photos may be a little warm, giving it that look. I've heard the same thing that some were stripping the threads in the shaft. I don't know what to make of it, as...

Continuation on the Acme pin.

It did have a 3/8 pin, if it was an Acme pin from Scruggs. They used them from about 1998 through about the early 2000's or so. The threads on the 3/8 X 10 Acme pin were quite flat, as opposed to the typical 3/8 X 10 or Radial 3/8 X 10. It's a very nice, smooth, tight fit. Also, the beauty...

Little younger pictures of Bill "Weenie Beenie" Staton. The lower picture was taken as his pool room Jack & Jills in Arlington, VA. When this picture was taken, not sure, I suspect 70s. First time I saw Bill was in 1967 for an exhibition match between Luther Lassiter and Eddie Taylor. Staton...

No way.