I need ideas for engraving or personalizing my cues

On all of my cue butts, shafts, tip tools, chalk holder and anything that I value, I slobber on a dash of bright red fingernail polish. This is my mark.

This marking method is cheap, looks terrible and can be removed with the simple application of a cotton ball and fingernail polish remover.

I would rather get a tattoo (I'm thinking of Godzilla holding a pool cue with fire coming out of his mouth as he puts a monster break on a nine ball rack) than put some kind of personal mark on my cue(s) that would diminish its value.

As an alternative, you could get yourself a nice set of alpha-numerical punches and a ball peen hammer. After pounding away for an hour, or so, it might even be therapeutic.

Play Safe!

John

Maybe have it done on the inside of the butt cap, under the rubber bumper? I'd avoid the joint area. Can always sign it along a veneer like many cuemakers do, and have it sealed in with a refinish.

I have never seen this myself, its probably been done. I was thinking gold leaf in strategic places and a refinish? Might look damn nice if done right.

What about personal joint protectors? You can design them, have your initials or even your own design put on them.

One thing I have always liked about Adam Franks cues is he 'signs them' with a thumb print. You know its yours indefinitely.

I've Done That

When Bob Owen finished my cue, he signs custom cues with his signature & date.
He's done that twice for me and on the fancy custom, I had him add my initials to the ivory butt cap.
My '85 Runde Schon has an inscription Bob came up with since this was a special project cue.

But the signature dates on the last two cues, I gave Bob tentative dates to use which varied and he
could go with the one closest to my cue's completion. One has my son's birthdate and the fancy
custom has my mom's. You can tell your cue-maker any dates that coincide with the cue's completion
or just give him a date and he'll use the current year.

Jerry Rauenzahn will be doing the same thing.......I have a daughter's birthday that coincides with the
cue's estimated finish and I'll have my initials in the cue butt as well.

These cues are entirely for me....my collection so to speak.....and my four children will cherish them as
mementos of what I love so much....same with my guns & knives.....everything goes to them as keepsakes
Since I have four children, I'll need eight cues to avoid arguments......and I will cap my cue collection at eight.

The cue Jerry R. is making for me is #7......room for one more after that.....I 'd like it to end on a big note too
like a Hercek, Prewitt, Ernie G. or even that great Klein Szamboti JV has but regardless, it's gotta end with a
pool cue that's really special and of course, you know what the cue joint will be......might as well at this point.

Matt B.

You say you won't ever sell them, I've heard that one before, no offense. You never know what will happen in the future.
My Dishaw has my signature under the wrap. Dan asked me if I wanted to put it there when he replaced the leather with Irish linen.

signed pool cues

the clean lines of a pool cue can be harmed by some signatures. i build cues and i sign my cues with my name and the year built under the finish with security pen that can only be seen under a ultraviolight [ old hippys black light ]
you can buy the pen and a light cheap on ebay, sign your cue. only you know its there, if the ownership of a cue is ever in question. you can show the signature as only you will know its there. chuck starkey

signed pool cues

the clean lines of a pool cue can be harmed by some signatures. i build cues and i sign my cues with my name and the year built under the finish with security pen that can only be seen under a ultraviolight [ old hippys black light ]
you can buy the pen and a light cheap on ebay, sign your cue. only you know its there, if the ownership of a cue is ever in question. you can show the signature as only you will know its there. chuck starkey

I have my name engraved on the shafts... that makes it easy for someone to buy another shaft or two & make it his cues.

Wouldn't waste your time, its not going to stop anyone from stealing your cues.

It my even make them harder to find as it will force them to be modified or sold a greater distances.

Bottom line, don't wanna lose em, don't take your eyes off em.

desi2960 said:

the clean lines of a pool cue can be harmed by some signatures. i build cues and i sign my cues with my name and the year built under the finish with security pen that can only be seen under a ultraviolight [ old hippys black light ]
you can buy the pen and a light cheap on ebay, sign your cue. only you know its there, if the ownership of a cue is ever in question. you can show the signature as only you will know its there. chuck starkey

Click to expand...

John Parker of Auerbach Custom Cues does that too.... way too clever an idea. John also has multiple picture & a video of the cues he makes... kinda nice to have that stuff, if nothing but showing your friends.

Many years back there was a dealer at BCA in Vegas.
They used a laser to engrave anything onto your cue.
They could go down to a level that could only be seen with a magnifying glass.

We had it done on a sneaky pete, still looks good today.

desi2960 said:

the clean lines of a pool cue can be harmed by some signatures. i build cues and i sign my cues with my name and the year built under the finish with security pen that can only be seen under a ultraviolight [ old hippys black light ]
you can buy the pen and a light cheap on ebay, sign your cue. only you know its there, if the ownership of a cue is ever in question. you can show the signature as only you will know its there. chuck starkey

Click to expand...

That's a pretty awesome idea.