Bender Cues

[JoeyA]

Tracey Dunham/Mike Bender Cues

I've owned three Tracey Dunham/Mike Bender cues.

Mike builds some of the finest cues I have ever seen. His precision in everything is superb.

Here is one of Mike's cues that I really like.

Everyone has a favorite cue maker and Bender is my favorite of ALL CUE MAKERS.
JoeyA

 

[8-ball Rat]

I think I can see where both sides of the "disagreement" are coming from. Since I have a bit of spare time, I'll donate my $.02

I've owned 4 Bender cues. Each one was nice. My simple ebony PJ cue was a hell of a player...as was verified by those with infinitely greater skill at the game than I have! :thumbup:

I recently got my first Searing. I am in absolute LOVE with that cue, and will have it lying next to me in the casket when I die.

For me...I'd take the Searing cue any day of the week, and twice on Sunday.

That's not to say that my Searing is a better cue than the Benders I've owned...it's just a better cue FOR ME.

Some might argue that I hold this opinion based upon the fact that my cue is so "rare." To a certain degree...that might be true. I take great pleasure in knowing I own a cue from a premier cuemaker, and that Searing cues are so hard to come by. Most definitely, there is pride in ownership.

That's only part of the story, though. I also take great pleasure in knowing that the cue has the type of "hit" that I love. Solid, lively, balanced...etc., etc. I liken the hit to some of the Scruggs/Cochran cues I've owned...whom I also believe to be two of the very best cuemakers to ever work at a lathe.

I say...to each their own. I'm sure that if you took a poll of 1,000 pool players that knew anything about cues, you'd likely see a list of 100 "Best cuemaker alive" names. You can bet you'd see Mr. Bender on there...as well as Mr. Searing, Mr. Scruggs, and Mr. Cochran.

Okay....I'm done now!

 

[jtrombetta]

The only cues out of the three cuemakers that I've hit with is a bender. I thought the hit was excellent and his ring work on some of his cues is remarkable.


"When the cue I wanted to buy was $1100.00 decided better learn how to make the darn things myself."

 

[ScottR]

Scott R, I don't know your qualifications but Marc O is one of the best bar table players in the midwest. He has won many regional, state and national titles. I know he worked for Ray Schuler in Chicago in the mid 80's and Adrian Viguara/ Ivan Lee, he has owned numerous pool rooms and has promoted and taught the game for years. I feel you are reading into this thread too far, I think Mark expressed his Bender hit better than his other personal cues. You don't like to argue do ya? He also states the cue makers mentioned in this thread are in a league of their own. Just my thoughts.

Marc O said that .....not a lot of so called great cue makers understand the "hit" or transmission of the hit of certain woods. I took exception to it. It doesn't matter how good Marc plays, how many pool rooms he's owned or who he has worked for. His statement is wrong and exactly opposite of the truth - In My Humble Opinion. If he knows of great cue makers who don't know wood and hit, name them and explain why. I'm just asking for facts to back up a statement that was presented as a fact.

Also, just to reiterate: Mike Bender belongs in the top tier of cue makers - In My Humble Opinion.

Scott

 

[Justlovecues]

Since Mike Bender was being discussed here I figured to give you my 2 cents worth. I, like many of the AZers, have had cues made from different cuemakers. In the past year alone, I had 5 cues done from highly reputable cuemakers. The quality of all the cues were very good but one stood out from the pack as 'outstanding'. That one cue was my new Bender. The craftsmanship is in par with the best makers. Its balance and playability alone is fantastic. Mike knows exactly what you want in a cue when you order one. Anyway, just wanted to mention my experience with a Bender cue.