Fair enough. So often it is a case of blind patriotism. I feel like you should support the makers and products that suit you best. I personally would feel much better about getting a relatively plain Mark Smith cue from Mark than a fancy Fury from a store. And I sell Fury cues. That doesn't mean I think that all Mark Smith cues are better than all Fury cues.
And honestly, you aren't going to find many cuemakers overseas who are doing the type of work that collectors and hard core hit fanatics are looking for. But they are there.
You are going to find it with solid consistency from the manaufacturers either. Not the ones in the USA and not the ones overseas. You will find a damn good average on quality and hit.
The bottom line is that it's really hard to buy a bad cue these days. More of a challenge to buy a great one.
I appreciate a different outlook. I don't appreciate bigotry or racism and that's what I challenge. What I learned from a young age was diversity having lived among people of all races and having lived all over the world.
So I knew you meant American made when you posted your challenge.
By the way, I suggest you talk to Mark Smith of
www.marksmithcues.com and see if he can't do your pointed/veneer cue for $1100. He learned some from Ron Haley so you might be well surprised at what you get for the money.
John Barton - Marco Polo of cues and cases.
