Checkering on high-end cues

[bell]

This cant be a new topic but I have not seen a cue on this forum with checkering, (as in quality guns). This would seem be be a functional and attractive feature with all the exotic woods.

Why is this not being used by cuemakers?

 

[henho]

I've only seen checkering on supremely cheap cues, so maybe there is a stigma. Also checkering obscures the grain of the wood, so it might feel to some as though they are "ruining" the wood by texturing it, kind of like sandblasting a finely grained piece of briar for a pipe. I've seen different attempts at texturizing the grip area, from checkering to little slots for your fingers to hold on to, to fat rubber grips, but nothing seems to catch on.

 

[hangemhigh]

We checker Duck calls, hard to finish with anywhere near the quality of a nice smooth cue.

 

[Bigjohn]

There was a Richard Harris floating around here somewhere a while back that had the checker board.