Amazing Rick Howard Wrapless Maple Cue!

[nick serdula]

When I saw this cue at Rick's Shop being refinished and it blew me away. So, I bought it. The wait on a cue like this from Mr. Rick is freaking long.

Look at the veneer returns on this 8 pointer!

I took these pictures about a month ago and can't wait for it to show up!
Nick

 

[$TAKE HOR$E]

Nice cue, his wrapless cues are some of the best.

 

[Dakota Cues]

Very nice.

You didn't happen to see another wrapless in progress, did you???

)

 

[Chuckles]

That cue looks oddly familiar...:wink:

 

[nick serdula]

I'm telling ya!

I will try to pick it up tomorrow. I want to get it today!
Nick

 

[tikkler]

hey

Nick, super nice cue, love the wrapless. Is wrapless the new rage????????

 

[nick serdula]

I uauslly shy away from wrapless cues.

Not when they look like this! They are nice for longer set play. I played wrapless until about 15 years ago. My next cue from the boys was leaning towards wrapless. The particulars were the hard part.
One thing anout the wrapless cues is getting the wood to match everywhere. Using differant combinations of woods and grain can be a nightmare to a cuebuilder as the cue progresses.
Tieing it all together with the right size and design rings or inlays at the top and bottom of the handle can get time consuming and challenging.
Done right wrapless are some of the prettiest builds. Mr. Rick's veneer returns are very nice!

Nick

 

[Dakota Cues]

I love wrapless cues. They are just so easy to maintain, and I don't have to worry about anything fraying or feeling different in the grip area.

Nick was right though, wrapless cues can be a pain for the cue maker for many reasons. You have to turn the handle EXTREMELY slow, to help avoid warping issues. Once it's finished, all that's needed is the occasional wipe down and polish, and it will shine like new.

The other thing I like is the grip. WAY more surface tension in the grip than linen or leather for me. I can hold the cue super light and not worry about it sliding anywhere.

 

[the_general]

very neat work on the cue. congrats on your new acquisition.

 

[$TAKE HOR$E]

I had Rick make this wrapless cue last year and would not trade it for any other cue to play with. I wanted a satin finsih which he said he not really done but I think it came out good.