Custom Cues: What's Hot, What's Not

[Celtic]

You have obviously already made up your mind on the subject and are not interested in the facts. I'm sure that you feel the way you do for all the right reasons, misguided as you may be!

I am very interested in the facts. I have in fact linked you to quite afew that you ignored. Maybe you are the one that is not interested in the facts. You state I am misguided yet you offer no evidence that anything I have claimed is untrue.

As Ted Mentioned I also buy all of my ivory from Warther Museum. I trust David Warther, he's highly respected in many circles. I don't ask to see paperwork on the ivory I get from him but he guarantees that all the ivory he sells is legitimate. That's good enough for me! I am against poaching, and I don't feel that using ivory promotes poaching. Greed is what promotes poaching!

This is just baseless opinion on your part. You actually claim you are taking a mans word that the ivory he sells is legit. And maybe he is telling you the truth. But I doubt he knows the step by step process from a elephant getting shot in Africa and it's tusks sawed off to that same ivory ending up in his possesion to sell to customers such as yourself.

Reading your responce it sounds like you think illegal ivory trade is a guy in a long black trenchcoat going "Psst, wanna buy some ivory?" and opening up his coat like the sterotypical watch salesman. Sorry, it does not work that way. It is people who know people and pad the proper palms, friends of friends that get the right documentation that masks the poached ivory and makes it legal. That is the way the black market really works, and the consumer like you needs to at least adimt to themselves that you dont know a whole lot about your supply of ivory. You actually say I am not interested in the facts while you sit there in blind ignorance thinking because someone told you the ivory they have is legit that they are telling the truth or even know. Do yourself a favour next time you buy it, see if you can actually trace your purchase back to its original source. You are very naive as to the way the black market works and your assurances of your ivory being legal IMO.

By all means, show me some facts. But keep in mind I am a science major with a masters and my definition of "fact" is temerped with this in mind. I have seen very little "fact" from either one of you that I could possibly ignore, just opinion with very little evidence.

 

[steffi]

What was Lucky's motivation? To reduce competition?

Scruggs wouldn't sell to Japanese directly so what was Lucky's concern?

Shorty,
Just an FYI, Scruggs raised his prices because Lucky urged him too.. So your statement stating that "one cue dealer insists on raising the prices" is off the mark!! Dealers have to advertise his cues at his prices because if you dont, you get cut-off!! Whatever the cue is sold for is between the dealer and the buyer but it has to be advertised at Scrugg's retail price.
-Erik

 

[Teddy Harris]

By all means, show me some facts. But keep in mind I am a science major with a masters and my definition of "fact" is temerped with this in mind. I have seen very little "fact" from either one of you that I could possibly ignore, just opinion with very little evidence.

Let's forget the "fact" that you stated ivory was an "illegal substance," and it isn't. I think we will let you slide on your misrepresentation of the "facts!"
I could go and research this subject and present a good argument against yours, but I am too busy trying to rebuild my shop to do so right now.
If you are referring to me, or it bothers you to no end, then I suggest you call David Warther and ask him about his authentication process. I have, and am quite satisfied that ALL ivory I buy from him is legitimate. He is very thorough, and is an absolute professional. I don't think he would be allowed to operate otherwise, as he is a very high profile ivory trader. There is no reason to buy illegal ivory when it is readily available for legal purchase. The cost of the ivory is quite simply passed on to the consumer. If you can prove to me that his ivory is not legit, then I will purchase it somewhere else where it is legit, or I will stop using it. Now if it means that much to you, go ahead and knock yourself out, but I doubt that your feelings run much deeper than trying to sound politically correct.

 

[buddha162]

Beyond the legalities surrounding this issue, I am conflicted insomuch as the ivory in cues came from poached animals, who otherwise would've lived out their lives uninterrupted. I don't care how old the ivory is, how many years ago the elephant was gunned down...I want nothing to do with that legacy.

-Roger (regret going with ivory inlays in my first custom cue)

 

[LastTwo]

Boobs and ass inlays are hot right now.

 

[chefjeff]

Beyond the legalities surrounding this issue, I am conflicted insomuch as the ivory in cues came from poached animals, who otherwise would've lived out their lives uninterrupted. I don't care how old the ivory is, how many years ago the elephant was gunned down...I want nothing to do with that legacy.

-Roger (regret going with ivory inlays in my first custom cue)

Elephants disappearing in Africa, but in Iowa we have millions and millions of cattle and pigs...we'll never run out of them. And all this value with NO ban on killing them or using/selling the products derived from them.

Does anyone know why?

If you understand why, then the elephant "problem" has a simple solution.

mmmm....today it's bacon and eggs for me...mmmmmm.

Jeff Livingston

 

[Fred Agnir]

By all means, lets legalize the limited sale of ivory and then regulate it. Lets make sure that the elephants are not shot and killed and only the tusks taken, leaving the meat to rot in the sun. Lets make sure that juvinile animals are not being killed for tusks 1/10th the size of a normal bull male because bullets are cheap and 2 1 pound tusks are better then nothing. Regulate the hunting and culling, charge hunters a slew of money to hunt a bull elephant, the whole market can be managed and then I have no issue with the use of truely legal ivory in anything.

I hope the use of ivory becomes hot again.

Hmm, misguided? Lets look at your linked thread

Yes, misguided. You'll notice what I wrote, and then your responses. I agree with both you and Thomas. Whatever we have to do to stop poaching, but in the meanwhile regulate and manage the herds, and harvest with whatever legal means the ivory. The areas that are regulating have an over-population of elephants, and therefore there is a sign of positivity if all of the countries follow the model. If everything goes to positive, then the use of ivory will become hot again. And i hope the use of ivory becomes hot again.


Fred

 

[Rude Dog]

Damn, I don't even have an ivory ferrule on my Joss that's for sale.(PLUG) Don't go to the Wanted/For sale forum and look at it, that is if you have to have ivory.

 

[Koop]

Damn, I don't even have an ivory ferrule on my Joss that's for sale.(PLUG) Don't go to the Wanted/For sale forum and look at it, that is if you have to have ivory.

I hope JimBo doesn't see this but great plug.

 

[coastydad]

Ad?!?!?.. A guy posts his opinions and its an ad? Thats to funny.

Shorty, please make another poll asking if positive cue reviews are viewed as ads...

So AZ in a nutshell in a week...

Can't post negative cue reviews, especially that of AZ contributors
Can't post opinion polls... unless they agree with everyone elses philosophy
Can't post positive cue reviews because they are ads'

Might as well shut AZ down, the commies are here...

Joe

Joe, please note that I chose to studiously ignore that. CD

 

[Purdman]

Ponderous

Jensen
Blud (other than his sneakys)
Espiritu
Dayton
McDaniel

I wonder why Jensen, Espiritu, Dayton, and McDaniel didn't respond to this. Maybe somewhere down the line they GREW UP!!!!
Did you know that when you start using mood altering chemicals on a regular basis you cease to grow emotionally. This is why we have 65 year old 13 year olds. Ponderous man, PONDEROUS.
Purdman
I worked in a alcohol and drug rehab program for 2 years, that's how I know. I heard it somewhere, don't remember where.
George Bush says they put food on their family in Texas. Must be an awful mess come around dinner time.

 

[classiccues]

Joe, please note that I chose to studiously ignore that. CD

I did notice. But its just a joke that if you say something positive about someone other than Ginacue or South West, its an "ad".

Joe

 

[DougO]

Schuler?

While we're on the subject of hot cues, any of you own or use a Schuler cue before? They on par with most other customs?

 

[Fred Agnir]

While we're on the subject of hot cues, any of you own or use a Schuler cue before? They on par with most other customs?

I have four of them.

IMO, they have the best engineered joint in the business. They're not really a high-end custom shop, though they have built high-end cues. When I put down my Andy Gilbert, it will be to return to the Schuler.

I could write many pages praising Schuler Cue. Oh wait, I did. November 2004 InsidePOOL Magazine, I believe.

Fred

 

[Shorty]

"Lord, please let this thread go away!"

Thank you,
Shorty

 

[coastydad]

I did notice. But its just a joke that if you say something positive about someone other than Ginacue or South West, its an "ad".

Joe

Well, I suppose an "ad" is a bad thing, and I'm sure that would never happen here. And, I don't know much about cue thingys anyway. I've had Szamboti (Gus), Southwest (6), Omega DPK (3), Black, Kikel, Wes Hunter (3), Scruggs, Cognoscenti, Hercek, and some other mutt cues. Usually get them at Wally World, or, the thrift store if they're on sale. Seriously though, to reiterate my statement in another post, to me what is "hot" is a cue that hits good, has solid construction and finish work. Also important is the ability and willingness of the cuemaker to execute the customers desires, and last but not least, a good feeling/relationship with the cuemaker. All the Southwest cues that I've had over the years hit a little different, as did the Hunters and the Omegas. Not that they hit bad, just different. Bottom line, both the Skips I have hit just the way I like, real stiff, but move the ball how you want it to. Their construction is great, finish is great, points are stellar. Just an opinion, enough said.