Balabushka handle

[DRPoolshooter]

Upon removing the old wrap on a customers Balabushka for replacement I found the numbers as shown in the photo. Any info as to what these numbers are for?

Thanks in advance,
Dan

 

[Blue Hog ridr]

Another Da Vinci code under a wrap. If you add 1+4+4 +2+3. They add up to the first number, 14.
Or, if you add 14+4 +23, it comes to 41, the opposite of 14.
14+4+2+3=23
I have too much time on my hands.

 

[BLACKHEARTCUES]

This must be a "NEW BALABUSHKA"? This one is made by Helmstetter & is a COPY of the original. I think that the markings are from someone who rewraped this cue...JER

 

[Varney Cues]

This must be a "NEW BALABUSHKA"? This one is made by Helmstetter & is a COPY of the original. I think that the markings are from someone who rewraped this cue...JER

Correct...it not a real Balabushka but the Helmstetter copy. I've seen similar markings on the Helmstetter versions before...always starting with "H".

 

[manwon]

Upon removing the old wrap on a customers Balabushka for replacement I found the numbers as shown in the photo. Any info as to what these numbers are for?

Thanks in advance,
DanView attachment 88627

This cue was made by Adam / Helemstetter Japan, it is certainly not original. I have seen similar numbers on the handle of many of their cues that were made after 1990. I suspect that it has something to with one identifying that the cue was made in their Japan facility ( Certain Balabushka and Helmstetter models were contracted out during the 1990's to Taiwan and China these cues were much lower quality). It could also be an inspectors mark that is made when moving the product along the assemble line.

Take care

 

[JoeyInCali]

Not to be disrespectful of that cue but the banana grain on that handle would surely have not passed Mr. Balabushka's standard.
His cue's hit's are legendary b/c he picked the best woods even for his handles I am lead to believe.

 

[manwon]

Not to be disrespectful of that cue but the banana grain on that handle would surely have not passed Mr. Balabushka's standard.
His cue's hit's are legendary b/c he picked the best woods even for his handles I am lead to believe.

You are right Joey, the handles of Georges cues were certainly what attributed to the hit his cue are famous for, however, the wood was secondary to the Phenolic tube cored with Maple he used inside his handles.:smile:

That is the real secret, but now it is out!!!!!!!!!

 

[rhncue]

Not to be disrespectful of that cue but the banana grain on that handle would surely have not passed Mr. Balabushka's standard.
His cue's hit's are legendary b/c he picked the best woods even for his handles I am lead to believe.

I see that that handle has been cut length wise and re-glued. Many wood workers do that to retard wood from bending, twisting and warping. Bill Hagan is one cue maker who always done it that way but I believe his reason for it because exotic woods thicker than 4/4 were hard to obtain in Ohio so he would joint two boards and glue them together and then turn them.

Dick

 

[manwon]

I see that that handle has been cut length wise and re-glued. Many wood workers do that to retard wood from bending, twisting and warping. Bill Hagan is one cue maker who always done it that way but I believe his reason for it because exotic woods thicker than 4/4 were hard to obtain in Ohio so he would joint two boards and glue them together and then turn them.

Dick

Many of the Adam / Helmstetter cues made in Japan have laminated handles, the biggest problems associated with the handle is the adhesive they use for their wraps, the crap never dries. Expose their cues to hot environment and their wraps will let loose in a heart beat.
In addition most of the cues that I have seen that have had problems, had either broken pins at the A-joint or pins that have moved not warped handles.

Take care Dick

 

[JoeyInCali]

I see that that handle has been cut length wise and re-glued. Many wood workers do that to retard wood from bending, twisting and warping. Bill Hagan is one cue maker who always done it that way but I believe his reason for it because exotic woods thicker than 4/4 were hard to obtain in Ohio so he would joint two boards and glue them together and then turn them.

Dick

His reasoning was boards thinner than 1 inch reached their equilibrium faster. :smile:
Also by laminating them the way he did, he made them stiffer.

 

[fiolledapool]

Upon removing the old wrap on a customers Balabushka for replacement I found the numbers as shown in the photo. Any info as to what these numbers are for?

Thanks in advance,
DanView attachment 88627

I removing more balabushkas wrap, only Balabushka GB series by Adam (Production cues-Japam) and I found in all cues this numbers and letters, I dont know if the same numbers that this photo, however the same information.

 

[DRPoolshooter]

Thanks

I was never under the impression that this was one of Mr. Balabushka's own cues. This was confirmed as soon as I took the wrap off and saw that the handle was laminated. Manwon, you had it pegged, the laminated handle as well as the reason the thing needs a new wrap - the old one just came loose. The only thing holding it was the pin holes.

however, the wood was secondary to the Phenolic tube cored with Maple he used inside his handles.:smile:

Now that's funny

 

[sliprock]

Upon removing the old wrap on a customers Balabushka for replacement I found the numbers as shown in the photo. Any info as to what these numbers are for?

Thanks in advance,
DanView attachment 88627

Japan uses an alternative calendar to mark years. It's based on the number of years the current emperor has reigned. It differs from the christian calendar. The current emperer started his reign in our year 1988.

The year 2000, for example, which happened to be the 12th year of the reign of the current emperor, whose posthumous name will be Heisei, is called "Heisei 12".

This cue then was dated April 23rd, Heisei 14 (2002).