Perhaps a Bit Lenghty But Worth The Read......Thanks Deanoc.
Rather than post about a cue-maker that is retired or deceased, which doesn’t serve much purpose
since those persons already established their mark in cue-building and their reputations aren’t going
to be affected in the slightest by what anyone posts, I’m confining my comments to active cue-makers.
I have played with cues from lots of different cue-makers that were either my own or belonged to a pal.
Consequently, my opinions are not based upon glancing the cue over, maybe admiring the design and
workmanship, and hitting some balls with the cue. Some have been impressive more so than others and
the cue’s varied over the years in terms of weight, balance, materials construction and shaft particulars.
Everyone has a preference for something versus something else. Doesn’t matter if we are talking about
how you like favorite cheeseburger made, the style and look.of a particular brand watch vs. another, etc.
The same applies to pool cues and that includes the look, construction, specifications and cue-maker too.
If I could only have one cue-maker build a cue, or I had to buy that cue in the secondary resale market,
Mr. Joel Hercek is the cue-maker I would want to own. Say what you will about any of the many other
active cue-makers but Joel sets the height of the bar in cue-making excellence, at least in my opinion.
However, due to a variety of reasons, I do not have one of Joel’s cues in my collection but there is one
other cue-maker I can fall back on as a replacement backup and he is becoming widely heralded on the
Forum’s Cue Gallery and Facebook.........he owns Shurtz cues......but most of us know him as Bob Owen.
Not only is Bob accessible before, during and after the sale and throughout the entire cue build, but he is
talented in the art of cue-building, always truthful with his customers, and a man of his word as well. That
is a great combination when it comes to criteria for selecting a cue-maker but the final test always comes
down to how does the cue play and feel in your grip finger pads.and of course, the cue design esthetics.
For any not familiar with Bob’s cues, he is meticulous when it comes to fulfilling your cue’s specifications.
When you ask for something particular or specific, Bob comes through and delivers your cue the way you
asked. Need a specific cue butt weight, with or without any weight bolt but cored for one perhaps later on if
ever desired, Bob hits the bullseye. Same thing goes for your cue shafts. Like your shafts a particular
weight range,just let him know. If you are not sure, don’t worry because Bob already knows how to build
a great hitting shaft and uses a little different design that every Owen cue owner knows. Just lay your
Owen cue next to another cue-maker and compare how the conical taper begins earlier on other cue
shafts. Maybe that’s one of the reasons why his cues feel different but the overall balance of the cues
are terrific and is easily adjusted by repositioning your grip hand all the while retaining a soft and solid
feel. You have to play with one of Bob’s cues to really understand what I’m attempting to explain.....poorly.
If I had to choose only one cue to play with from my small collection, the choice would not be easy but I’d
have to go with my last Owen cue. Both my Owens are personal designs & I am very fussy about cues.
So much so that that first cue Bob made plays absolutely wonderful but it turned out to look like Frankenstein.
The cue could have turned out great but I screwed the design up specifying a dark forearm stain....oops.
The Birdseye shouldn’t be stained but I also stacked the veneers poorly and should have substituted a white
veneer for the orange. Like I wrote, the cue plays terrific and along the cue build process, Bob would ask me if
this is what I wanted. I responded back...Yup. Well, he made the cue exactly as I designed it down to
the tiniest detail. I’ve nicknamed that cue Frankenstein since it’s not as pretty as I expected or hoped for.
Having learned that too much tinkering can ultimately undermine what could have been a gorgeous cue
design, the second cue Bob made for me turned out masterful and quite handsome. Both of my Owen
cues were built exactly as I ordered and on the last cue, I requested Bob to try making the butt weight 14.5
to 14.6 but sans any weight bolt and cored In case I wanted to add one later. The butt came in at 14.55 ozs.
I cannot adequately convey to the Forum readers what a great experience I’ve gotten to enjoy, essentially
because of Dean Campbell’s advice that Bob made amazing cues. So in the spirit of paying it forward, I
respectfully share with you what I have learned firsthand........you will not be disappointed with Bob Owen.
Matt B.
