The two cues I am showing here, one is a Palmer model 10, the other is a Paradise. If these were at a pool room could you make a quick ID, if there were no foils?
Note the Palmer is the cue on top. The inlay pattern is close, however one of the upper dots is larger in the model 10, where Paradise used the same size dots in the pattern. Both are pretty consistent as I have a few model 10 photos and another Paradise photo of the same pattern. What is neat is that the two patterns when side by side line up as if the same jigs / person made them. (model 2 and 5 from first Palmer catalog also have the large dots)
The joints are very close in length, the pins are exact. During the meet and greet I measured 5 Paradise joints, two were close the rest were all over the place in diameter. (So were the 4 Palmers) So unlike Bushka and Boti, the joint diameters are NOT a good reference for these cues. The Paradise joint has the screw through to hold the joint. Some have these, some do not. The joint screws also were of various finishes and shapes, so while there may be a style that is dominant, it is again, not a reliable indicator. The Paradise is the white phenolic type with the black collar and the Palmer is the standard two black rings with a pearl ring. One thing that is notable is that Palmer seemingly only used this Paradise joint on their lower tier cues. (model 8, A, and B) Except the original short mailer has quite a few of these joint types shown.
The backends of these cues are also strikingly similar. The Paradise has some added brass rings, where all the model 10's I have seen or sold, have all been plastic. Butt cap material is very similar as are the screws.
The bottom cue could be easily confused with a Palmer by a novice or even someone with some experience.
So what did we learn? Use some good judgement and go with instinct, as I often have to do. Although I would think Palmer was better at being consistant, I wouldn't bet my house on it.
JV
Note the Palmer is the cue on top. The inlay pattern is close, however one of the upper dots is larger in the model 10, where Paradise used the same size dots in the pattern. Both are pretty consistent as I have a few model 10 photos and another Paradise photo of the same pattern. What is neat is that the two patterns when side by side line up as if the same jigs / person made them. (model 2 and 5 from first Palmer catalog also have the large dots)
The joints are very close in length, the pins are exact. During the meet and greet I measured 5 Paradise joints, two were close the rest were all over the place in diameter. (So were the 4 Palmers) So unlike Bushka and Boti, the joint diameters are NOT a good reference for these cues. The Paradise joint has the screw through to hold the joint. Some have these, some do not. The joint screws also were of various finishes and shapes, so while there may be a style that is dominant, it is again, not a reliable indicator. The Paradise is the white phenolic type with the black collar and the Palmer is the standard two black rings with a pearl ring. One thing that is notable is that Palmer seemingly only used this Paradise joint on their lower tier cues. (model 8, A, and B) Except the original short mailer has quite a few of these joint types shown.
The backends of these cues are also strikingly similar. The Paradise has some added brass rings, where all the model 10's I have seen or sold, have all been plastic. Butt cap material is very similar as are the screws.
The bottom cue could be easily confused with a Palmer by a novice or even someone with some experience.
So what did we learn? Use some good judgement and go with instinct, as I often have to do. Although I would think Palmer was better at being consistant, I wouldn't bet my house on it.
JV
