Hi all, I'm new to the forums. I'm getting back into the game after a decade or so.
I'm a full time custom knife and steel (damascus) maker, specializing in high end slipjoint folders mostly, and mosaic damascus (stainless and carbon).
I'm interested in finding a good cue maker semi-local to me. I'm interested in having some cues made, but mostly I'd like to play with cue making myself, and I know from experience it's easier to get into anything like this if you've got someone to show you the ropes, or at least someone you can ask if you're screwing up, when you hit a wall.
I'd imagine I"m reasonably well equipped for this craft already, I've got a fairly well equipped shop of medium sized machine tools (2 full size knee mills with DROs, a decent metal lathe, surface grinders, belt grinders, welders, etc, and tooling and fixtures to work with round stock), fwiw.
I also have stockpiles of material appropriate, as I specialize in rare/exotic and hard to find materials such as fossil ivory, stag, pearl, and vintage phenolics(westinghouse paper, canvas, and rag micartas, etc).
I mention all this simply to point out that I'm not some kid that has no idea the investment necessary to do this kind of work, and I realize that every maker's time is precious, so I wouldn't expect to intrude on someone and not make it worth their while.
If anyone knows of somebody in the area that makes a good custom, that might not mind a shop visit and a chat, I'd be very appreciative. Considering the overlap, I assumed numerous of my knifemaker friends would know some cue makers, but surprisingly none of them seem to. I did some googling, and the only guy I could find close by died a few years ago. In fact, that's one of the things that led me to this board.
To illustrate my point, I've attached a photo of a recent knife, using my steel (of my pattern), fossil ivory, textured and anodized titanium bolsters, liners and domed pins.
Thanks for any help!
Javan
I'm a full time custom knife and steel (damascus) maker, specializing in high end slipjoint folders mostly, and mosaic damascus (stainless and carbon).
I'm interested in finding a good cue maker semi-local to me. I'm interested in having some cues made, but mostly I'd like to play with cue making myself, and I know from experience it's easier to get into anything like this if you've got someone to show you the ropes, or at least someone you can ask if you're screwing up, when you hit a wall.
I'd imagine I"m reasonably well equipped for this craft already, I've got a fairly well equipped shop of medium sized machine tools (2 full size knee mills with DROs, a decent metal lathe, surface grinders, belt grinders, welders, etc, and tooling and fixtures to work with round stock), fwiw.
I also have stockpiles of material appropriate, as I specialize in rare/exotic and hard to find materials such as fossil ivory, stag, pearl, and vintage phenolics(westinghouse paper, canvas, and rag micartas, etc).
I mention all this simply to point out that I'm not some kid that has no idea the investment necessary to do this kind of work, and I realize that every maker's time is precious, so I wouldn't expect to intrude on someone and not make it worth their while.
If anyone knows of somebody in the area that makes a good custom, that might not mind a shop visit and a chat, I'd be very appreciative. Considering the overlap, I assumed numerous of my knifemaker friends would know some cue makers, but surprisingly none of them seem to. I did some googling, and the only guy I could find close by died a few years ago. In fact, that's one of the things that led me to this board.
To illustrate my point, I've attached a photo of a recent knife, using my steel (of my pattern), fossil ivory, textured and anodized titanium bolsters, liners and domed pins.
Thanks for any help!
Javan
