Buckeye burl handled cue

[Retail1LO]

This...is the only cue I've ever seen with a buckeye burl handle. I think it's one of the most amazing things I've seen...and definitely tops the list of materials I'd like to have a cue handle made with...right along with amboyna burl, thuya burl, and tulipwood. I damn near like it more than amboyna...and that's saying something. Anyone here have any experience with this stuff?

 

[Tommy-D]

> Some are much more knowledgable than me on woods,but I think I have the answer for you.

The wood you are seeing there,is probably buckeye burl like you said,but NOT in it's original form.

What you are seeing there is a piece of "stabilized" buckeye burl from a company called WildWoods.

They take woods of all species,and vacuum-treat them with various resins.

Think Dymondwood without the laminations,and you've got the idea,it's part wood,part plastic when complete.

Buckeye burl is a beautiful wood,but has many of the undesirable characteristics of amboyna,thuya,and other burls. It's light,soft-hitting,prone to cracking,likes to "move",and brittle.

These idiosyncrasies make the burls a difficult wood to work with in large enough pieces to make a forearm from. Some cuemakers refuse to use them except for inlays or butt sleeves for this reason.

The example you gave wouldn't be subject to those complications,it cuts like more of a plastic than wood.

Hope this helps you,Tommy D.

 

[cueaddicts]

Hayden, that one looks like a Jim White cue that we designed and ordered from him a few years ago....he did a super job with it. The handle is indeed stabilized and dyed by Wildwoods (Jim Fray of Monclova, OH). Those pieces are very dense and heavy after that process so they must be cored out to maintain a playbale weight. Jim is a master and comes up with some wild stuff (no pun intended). I've seen some incredible pieces of burls he's done including CA buckeye. Here are a few pieces that I bought from him in March and will end up having something done with them....(maple burl, black line splated maple burl, and curly maple).

 

[Retail1LO]

Oh...I'm aware that's not buckeye burl's original form. It looks like it's been impregnated with dye like Wildwoods does it. However...impregnated or not, it was the only piece I could find in a cue for reference.

 

[Retail1LO]

What amazing stuff that is. Does he have a website? Does anyone have an email address or other contact information for Wildwoods? I don't care if the wood has to be impregnated with resin and cored or not. I love the look. However...if it's a colossal pain in the ass to work with...I'm not surprised that it's not seen more frequently. I definitely plan on buying some stuff from this gentleman at the Expo in March. I live 5 minutes from Valley Forge.

 

[Dave38]

Yes, any contact number would be great. I have some burls that I'd like done.
Thanks
Dave

 

[cueaddicts]

The number I have for him is 419-866-0435 (not sure if it's current). It's my understanding this stuff is not that difficult to work with other than the weight and need for coring when it's used as a forearm or handle. You sometimes see it used as accent woods and inlays, as well.

 

[JoeyInCali]

Hayden, that one looks like a Jim White cue that we designed and ordered from him a few years ago....he did a super job with it. The handle is indeed stabilized and dyed by Wildwoods (Jim Fray of Monclova, OH). Those pieces are very dense and heavy after that process so they must be cored out to maintain a playbale weight. Jim is a master and comes up with some wild stuff (no pun intended). I've seen some incredible pieces of burls he's done including CA buckeye. Here are a few pieces that I bought from him in March and will end up having something done with them....(maple burl, black line splated maple burl, and curly maple).

I don't think they become more dense from stabilization.
Just heavier and the tone gets lower. Imo they need to be cored with 7/8 dowel to improve the hit.