Cork
- Thread starter Ed Keeney
- Start date
I saw a cork wrap on a cue once. I remember it being very dirty. It seemed to have absorbed the oils from the player's hands. I never gave it much thought at the time. I guess the cork can be coated or finished but then, that would defeat the reason for using cork in the first place. If you go ahead with the install, give us a review.
I've had it on a few cues and love it. Yeah, it gets dirty if your hands sweat much but mine don't so i like it. Need to at least hit balls with a cork wrap, very unique feel that some really like. The rubberized cork that Superior sells is very good. http://www.superiorcues.com/Leather.html
I played with a Ginacue for 2 years that had a cork wrap since new. I loved it. It had its own sensation just like leather differs from linen which differs from wrapless. I recommend cork. Regularly.
Will Prout
Benelli
Well-known member
so few makers know the in's and out's of cork wraps, one of the best maker conversations I have had was Fred telling the story of his dad learning how to do cork from Harvey Martin.
Almost a lost art at this point.
Cork handles on fishing rods have been around forever. Custom rod makers use a water based sealer on the cork which helps keep them from getting dirty and extend the life of the cork. Cork is easily sanded clean as well with a fine grit sandpaper also.
IMO. That sealer would work to keep the cork clean for a pool cue. It is simple to apply and you could easily recoat your wrap annually or when you need to.
I’ve been building all my own fishing rods since I was a young man and have some of the cork sealer still. It’s a basic latex sealer that looks milky and dries perfectly clear.
Jack Justice if he was still with us was an expert rod wrap installer able to weave threads into beautiful configurations. I am sure he’d agree that cork can withstand fishing and could do the same on a pool cue as long as it is cleaned and maintained properly.
RIP to Jack he was a wonderful talented guy!
IMO. That sealer would work to keep the cork clean for a pool cue. It is simple to apply and you could easily recoat your wrap annually or when you need to.
I’ve been building all my own fishing rods since I was a young man and have some of the cork sealer still. It’s a basic latex sealer that looks milky and dries perfectly clear.
Jack Justice if he was still with us was an expert rod wrap installer able to weave threads into beautiful configurations. I am sure he’d agree that cork can withstand fishing and could do the same on a pool cue as long as it is cleaned and maintained properly.
RIP to Jack he was a wonderful talented guy!
if you have a leather wrap jig it goes on same way. watched a mech. install one of Martin's cork wraps and he did it same way as leather.
We have similar hand conditions. I have a cork wrap on an ‘86 Joss…..don’t have to change it yet….Mike Webb installed it.
Nothing wrong with a cork cue wrap. My friend has it on 2 cues and it feels terrific. My only questions is over the years, will the wrap become dry and brittle? So maybe there’s some preservative you can apply to keep is spongy and maybe last as long as linen?
I never tried a cork wrap. I think that I would like it a lot. I doubt that it would feel at all like a smooth linen wrap, though - if that is what you like today.
I also have a corked Ginacue and I love the feel of it. I wonder if there are many Ginas that are cork wrapped. what I have might have been yours at one time. Anyway I think it deadens the ping of the steel joint with less vibration thru your palms which I love.
I used to play with linen then I switched to leather years ago. My favorite leather wrap now is the black football from Superior. Feels exactly as it states, like a nice new (but not too new) football.
Leather
Seller or dealer of fine new custom pool cues, leather wraps, and billiard assessories. We feature custom cues from the finest cuemakers. We are dealers of Ed Prewitt cues, cues, Mike Bender cues, Paul Drexler PFD cues, Omen cues, Ariel Carmeli cues. and Kent Davis Cues.
www.superiorcues.com
You can't go wrong with Martin.
I was using a Cork (Best wrap) ever on my cues from 1982 - 1987 until I switched to a removable rubber grip!