Was asked to chime in so here it goes...
First of all, I believe the real intent of this thread was meant to inquire about the different machining disciplines involved in cuemaking. "Art" is a very broad and abstract subject to say the least. I will attempt to give an opinion for that and how it relates to cuemaking as well.
There are traditional methods and modern methods of machining. Both are unique and both are like comparing apples to oranges.
Cutting inlays with a knife? Cutting them in free hand? Denmark? Really!?!
Here is a brief overview on the machining disciplines used by todays cuemakers.
http://www.sourceauthority.com/disciplines/machining_cnc.cfm
There is however different levels or degrees of "artistic" skill and creativity associated with the different machining processes, styles and disciplines of cue construction. And all of these unique factors should be considered in determining the ultimate value of a cue.
As a cuemaker, I believe a pool cue is definately a work of "art" and the cuemaker an "artist" no matter what method or discipline is used.
On page 293 of The Billiard Encyclopedia: An Illustrated History of the Sport, written by Victor Stein and Paul Rubino, the "art of cuemaking" is defined.
"The art of custom cuemaking is dependent upon the man whose hands and mind orchestrate the work. Tools are only the medium through which a custom cue is made. Without the cuemaker and his unique ideals, there is no art."
Not to be rude but it really doesn't matter to me how anyone else makes their cues. I was making cues using traditional machining methods before the "CNC era" of cuemaking and will continue to do so. In fact, I was making cues before jhanso18 was an "itch" in his daddy's pants!
Keith Holcomb, my mentor, was making cues in the early 1960's. I am proud of the old school techniques and methods he taught and instilled in me. Traditional cuemaking with a lathe and a mill, no panto's, no CNC.
IMO, there is an obvious and distinct difference between cues made with traditional methods and modern CNC methods. The complex inlays and designs made with CNC's are not physically or humanly possible to create using traditional machining methods.
Traditional machining is a process physically controlled by a human. CNC machining is a process physically controlled by a computer. By definition CNC is an automated process controlled by a computer. A program provides the commands needed to machine the complex shapes and inlays.
CNC's are capable of controlling simultaneous tool movements with 5-axis maching. Incredible!
With that being said, using a CNC is in no way some sort of cheat in cuemaking. CNC is an awesome technology and the cues created with that technology are amazing. CNC cuemaking is however a relatively new discipline to the art and craft of cuemaking that dates back to the 1600's. Traditional cuemaking in the US dates back to the 1850's.
Cues such as the "Gypsy Queen" shown in this thread were made with traditional machining methods and equipment available 100 years ago. The aesthetic beauty of the "Gypsy Queen" combined with its old school creation is "artistically unique" and a beautiful thing. The Blue Book value of the cue when made was $4650. The owner wouldn't sell it today for $10,000.
In addition, the "Gypsy Queen" won a SD State A 9-ball title 3 weeks ago. A very beautiful thing!
I recently made a cue for Justin (jhanso18) and, according to him and several others, it is the best playing cue they have ever played with. Then I made one for his friend and they couldn't believe how awesome that one played. Both "plain Jane" cues for less than $400 that play like a million dollars.
To me that is what cuemaking is about.
As far as aspiring new cuemakers, I would suggest that you don't even concern yourself with designs and inlays. In the end, the inlays and appearance of a cue is not what cuemaking is all about.
