Do Chinese Made Pool Products Also Contain Lead?

[John Barton]

Finally, John Barton, I am turned off by your approach to customer service. You could have easily and politely explained that your products are not a risk. While I believe your company practices are as you describe, I think your representation of your product here is appalling.

I tried that. But since I am a proponent of judging products based on their merit rather than where they are made - I am very often targeted by a few people with an agenda that goes beyond the red herring of "professed concern".

Thus I often get wrapped up in the sensationalist statements. I am sorry that anything I said offended you. It was only intended to offend those who make groundless statements.

 

[manwon]

It's all true. There used to be 4 billion Chinese people but the government has decreased it to 1.2 billion by exporting people as products.

The Chinese are very crafty and have figured out ways to use human body parts in all products. The keys you are typing on were once part of a living person.

Boycott all Chinese products and all products that contain chinese products and any company that has anything to do with China.

Really, publish a list of products and companies that are China-safe and certified to be 100% China-Free.

I think most of you will have to throw away your computers but you can return to letter writing instead if you can find a pen not made in China.

By the way, perhaps you should all do a little more research into "Pet Foods" in general. An awful lot of folks don't recommend feeding your precious pets any kind of manufactured "pet" food.

I feed mine real meat and vegetables that I take the time to select. I also feed them leftovers and they are both wonderful and healthy pets with glowing fur, clean teeth, sweet dispositions, and make awesome companions. There is no need for pet food, none at all. If you wouldn't eat it then don't feed it to your animal.

For me, I am going to be in China for a while and I am healthier now than I have been in 10 years. Since I have been here I have lost nearly 20 lbs and feel pretty good. I eat food from all kinds of places and have only been sick twice, much less than I got sick from food in the USA.

Chinese people seem to be thriving from what I can see. Most people I see around appear to be living healthy, social and active lives. I guess they aren't dropping dead from lead poisoning or food poisoning. They do however have public health issues and scandals that get identified and solved.

I don't know, maybe I am brainwashed but then again my ten years in Germany taught me that all Germans aren't Nazis either. I guess I am blessed to have had and continue to have the opportunity to see the world from the other side.

I gotta say that most of the Chinese people I know personally appear to be living a much happier life than most of the Americans I know. Maybe it's because they aren't made to feel afraid all the time.

John, I have to agree with you, in most Asian countries people are very well adjusted and happy. They also spend less time thinking about things they can't change and work to change what they can. I lived in South Korea, Thailand, and spend time in the Philippines, and Hong Kong while I was in the Military. My wife is Korean-Chinese, so I completely understand your comments above. I love all the Asian Cultures I have been exposed to. So we have no disagreement in this area, also I do not think you are a dishonest, devious, or unscrupulous person, and I respect your achievements. My only problem with Asian products is misrepresentation, in my opinion products being produced in Asia should be identified as such, unlike in the past. It seems that many people having products produced abroad either do not sell them as such, or do not represent them openly as such, which to me is dishonest and wrong. I am not painting you with this brush, but due to where you are and what you do for a living you are thrown into the same category many times, but not by me.

I hope this makes my opinion and point very clear!!!!!!!

By the way John, above you said: By the way, perhaps you should all do a little more research into "Pet Foods" in general. An awful lot of folks don't recommend feeding your precious pets any kind of manufactured "pet" food.

I feed mine real meat and vegetables that I take the time to select. I also feed them leftovers and they are both wonderful and healthy pets with glowing fur, clean teeth, sweet dispositions, and make awesome companions. There is no need for pet food, none at all. If you wouldn't eat it then don't feed it to your animal.

As I stated above, I also have some experience with Asian Culture, a word to the wise, if you dogs are Black or Brown, hire security for them, because one of those Happy Asian people you were speaking about may see them as more than just a pet!!!!!!!!!

Have a good day John

 

[watchez]

I tried that. But since I am a proponent of judging products based on their merit rather than where they are made - I am very often targeted by a few people with an agenda that goes beyond the red herring of "professed concern".

Thus I often get wrapped up in the sensationalist statements. I am sorry that anything I said offended you. It was only intended to offend those who make groundless statements.

You never tried that John Barton. I posed a question. Not a statement. I have said this 3 or 4 times. Your twisted (and I am thinking now guilty) mind spun it. You have not given one INTELLIGENT reply in this whole thread. Usually that happens when you try to discuss something with someone & they have no basis for their side or explanation. You showed such a weakness in character and it certainly does reflect on your company & product, as another poster pointed out & I am sure that many more feel the same way.

I'll ask again--lead or not?

And to the posters trying to split hairs with the China/Taiwan topic. I merely grouped them together because they are similiar in their exporting of cheap products, with sometimes obvious disregard of the consumers well being.

 

[LWW]

Just to straighten things out. China and Taiwan are 2 separate Countries at the moment. I haven't heard stuff being recalled from Taiwan as far as lead content on products. It's big news right now all over the world on products from China containing LEAD and FORMALDEHYDE (on food products).

Correct.

Taiwan is a democracy of free people with ecolaws that respects human rights and promotes liberty and freedom.

China is a nation which oppresses it's people including executing dissenters, ignores human rights, and wipes it's arse with international patents/trademarks/copyrights, and tells people to go inside and stay inside whilst they 80 mile long toxic waste slides down the river by the village to the sea.

LWW

 

[John Barton]

You never tried that John Barton. I posed a question. Not a statement. I have said this 3 or 4 times. Your twisted (and I am thinking now guilty) mind spun it. You have not given one INTELLIGENT reply in this whole thread. Usually that happens when you try to discuss something with someone & they have no basis for their side or explanation. You showed such a weakness in character and it certainly does reflect on your company & product, as another poster pointed out & I am sure that many more feel the same way.

I'll ask again--lead or not?

And to the posters trying to split hairs with the China/Taiwan topic. I merely grouped them together because they are similiar in their exporting of cheap products, with sometimes obvious disregard of the consumers well being.

I already stated that our products are NOT dangerous. I answered your question and then you went on to make more such statements. You know full well what YOUR agenda here is. No problem, I get it. Don't be surprised however when my answers reflect the utter hollowness of your "concern".

 

[John Barton]

You never tried that John Barton.

I'll ask again--lead or not?

/QUOTE]

Please point out where in this response by me, which was my first in this thread, is impolite, did I address you by name or otherwise make a snide comment abut anything you said? I will apologize if you can point out the impropriety of the statements I made?

"I am quite sure that no products sold by Sterling Gaming and sourced in China are harmful to the health of the people who use those products.

For Fury cues since that brand was singled out, the cues are made using the EXACT same materials as are used on cues made in the USA and those materials are often purchased from the same suppliers that the US manufacturers use.

John Barton - Fury Cues puveyor, and user. Designer of products for Sterling Gaming, Distributor of billiard cues and accessories."

You, on the other hand had this to say about my statement.

"ohn, you state that Chinese cues are made from the same wood as the American cues. I don't doubt your knowledge as I have never known you to embelish (seems like a sarcastic way to call me a liar.) to prove your point but please enlighten me. Is this because the wood is shipped from the USA to China, China to USA or from parts unknown to China & the USA?

And John, you normally give an intelligent thought based response. Your dust from ebony argument, I have to say was pretty weak. Obviously the Consumer Product Safety Commission feels strongly enough about these lead products to recall 300,000 lead based Chinese made items. I haven't read any articles about them going after saw mills. (300,000 items out of hundred of millions and you call my example weak)

Also John, I apologize if I singled out Fury cues. I am sure that there are other cheap Chinese cues that I don't know about. Especially the ones that have fake painted on inlays & designs. Help me put a list together of Chinese made cues & products that possibly could contain lead. How about those pool gloves? Anyone else, please feel free to educate me. To all the people who are aboard the USA wagon, there is plenty more room." (Again another sarcastic shot at imported cues that shows you care nothing about safety)

Then you go on to call me a liar with this, "Sounds like I might have been wrong to think that you didn't embelish your statements. I thought it a bit odd that wood used for pool cues would be shipped all the way to China."

And you wonder why no one buys your act about being concerned about health. At least I don't.

Have you called Mike Gulyassy yet to ask him if Chinese cues are dangerous? I did not think so. Since he is a cuemaker he is well more qualified than I am to tell you exactly what the cues he had made here are made of.

Are you going to condemn him as well for importing Chinese cues?

Well I don't really get your deal other than you are a troll and I am a willing participant. You could care less about whether import cues are good or bad, dangerous or not. It seems to me that you get your jollies from trolling. And people like me make easy targets.

Only thing is that I don't lay down so keep bringing it and I will keep swatting you down.

 

[John Barton]

As I stated above, I also have some experience with Asian Culture, a word to the wise, if you dogs are Black or Brown, hire security for them, because one of those Happy Asian people you were speaking about may see them as more than just a pet!!!!!!!!!

Have a good day John

Funny you should say this as I am currently caring for a dog that was "rescued" from the chef's pot. One of my expat friends bought the dog that was chained up and being raised to eat. My friend had the dog for about 8 months and had to leave. So I am caring for him until my friend returns in several months.

I have never seen "dog" on the menu and my girlfriend pointed out that's it because they don't print that in English.

I don't have a problem with people eating dogs. Just as long as they don't eat mine.

You have a good day too Craig and no worries, I always get where you are coming from and I value your opinions and experiences.

 

[RBLilly]

Hey John,

It is funny that you say people shouldn't feed their dog what they won't eat.

I am a very avid dog lover, and I have kept up with dog food on the market even before the pet food scare.

The best pet food on the market anywhere that I can find is Blue Buffalo. I think this company is awesome, and everything that goes into their pet food is even better than most of the food us humans eat!

If anyone wants to check them out the company is called Blue Buffalo.

When I was in Korea the dog is called Gaegogi not to be confused with Bulgogi. Dog = Gaegogi, and Cow = Bulgogi!

There is a taste difference too!

 

[SCCues]

Chinese goods

Rushing to market under the direction of foriegn "experts" and exposing our people and pets to health hazards has pissed me off . Is it possible that if they performed adequate quality control to insure our well being that their "deals" wouldn't be that attractive?

I will boycott ALL their products until they have established a track record of getting it right.

I heard on the radio this week that a Chinese company was selling used "chop sticks" to the US. These used "chop sticks" were packaged by this Chinese company to be sold in the US and they didn't even clean and sterilize them! The company CEO was supposedly put in jail according to the radio report, but who knows if that's true. Can you believe that someone would sell used Chinese chop sticks and not even bother to clean them?

 

[watchez]

Ebony and Cocobolo dust is extremely harmful to your lungs. I am all for boycotting Ebony and Cocobolo cues or for that matter any cues made by people with Ebony or Cocobolo in their shop because they MIGHT get some dust on me somehow. I'd hate to be changing a weight bolt and have some ebony dust fall on my hand and then wipe my lips and die - all for a pool cue.

I think I am go live in the AMERICAN woods now and SUBSIST on 100% natural American vegetation that was pollenated by imported honeybees.

And this was your response 12 minutes later, before I or anyone else got a chance to respond to your original post. That being said, just combine this with your first post and yes you are being impolite and making a snide comment about something I said. I will wait for the apology you offered.

When I stated I don't doubt your knowledge as I have never known you to embelish to prove your point but please enlighten me. Is this because the wood is shipped from the USA to China, China to USA or from parts unknown to China & the USA?, that was a sincere compliment to you & your usually normal well thought opinions & statements. I think it is a valid point as the shipping of this wood 1000s of miles doesn't seem practical. Sorry if you didn't like the question or know the answer.

Mike STOPPED using China to import cues. Fury, McDermott, Blaze, etc. have not. You can call him if you like. He even has a toll free number.

Yes I care about safety and the use of lead.
If foreign countries are using lead in a pool product or a Tickle Me Elmo doll, we all should know about it. Just like the guy that robs a 7-11, the first time he got caught was most likely not the first time he was part of a robbery. The same go for the Chinese now being caught with over 300,000 lead toys. I am 99.9% positive this is not the first shipment of toys that contained lead. Just so happens, this time they got caught. 1 toy is too many. 1 pool product is too many. Just to cut cost, the ends do not justify the means.

Also, I don't feel like I should have to or need to apologize for my love of my country, the USA.

John, I suggest you go get one of those $7 Chinese hookers, relax for your 4 minutes & chill.

 

[manwon]

Hey John,

It is funny that you say people shouldn't feed their dog what they won't eat.

I am a very avid dog lover, and I have kept up with dog food on the market even before the pet food scare.

The best pet food on the market anywhere that I can find is Blue Buffalo. I think this company is awesome, and everything that goes into their pet food is even better than most of the food us humans eat!

If anyone wants to check them out the company is called Blue Buffalo.

When I was in Korea the dog is called Gaegogi not to be confused with Bulgogi. Dog = Gaegogi, and Cow = Bulgogi!

There is a taste difference too!

There is a taste difference too![/

The meat really tastes almost the same depending upon how it has been prepared, however it is kinda stringy.

By the way do you know what they call a Korean with more than dog?

 

[manwon]

And this was your response 12 minutes later, before I or anyone else got a chance to respond to your original post. That being said, just combine this with your first post and yes you are being impolite and making a snide comment about something I said. I will wait for the apology you offered.

When I stated I don't doubt your knowledge as I have never known you to embelish to prove your point but please enlighten me. Is this because the wood is shipped from the USA to China, China to USA or from parts unknown to China & the USA?, that was a sincere compliment to you & your usually normal well thought opinions & statements. I think it is a valid point as the shipping of this wood 1000s of miles doesn't seem practical. Sorry if you didn't like the question or know the answer.

Mike STOPPED using China to import cues. Fury, McDermott, Blaze, etc. have not. You can call him if you like. He even has a toll free number.

Yes I care about safety and the use of lead.
If foreign countries are using lead in a pool product or a Tickle Me Elmo doll, we all should know about it. Just like the guy that robs a 7-11, the first time he got caught was most likely not the first time he was part of a robbery. The same go for the Chinese now being caught with over 300,000 lead toys. I am 99.9% positive this is not the first shipment of toys that contained lead. Just so happens, this time they got caught. 1 toy is too many. 1 pool product is too many. Just to cut cost, the ends do not justify the means.

Also, I don't feel like I should have to or need to apologize for my love of my country, the USA.

John, I suggest you go get one of those $7 Chinese hookers, relax for your 4 minutes & chill.

Partner you said: get one of those $7 Chinese hookers While this is rude, I suspect that you are also jealous.

However, I would also recommend that, especially if I lived in St. Charles. I grew up across the river in Maryland Height's, about a mile from Creve Cour park, and for $7 in that area all you are going to get is a blow-up doll with a leak . If you have never had an Asian hooker you do not know what you are missing!!!!! In fact it may change your life!!!!!

 

[watchez]

Partner you said: get one of those $7 Chinese hookers While this is rude, I suspect that you are also jealous.

However, I would also recommend that, especially if I lived in St. Charles. I grew up across the river in Maryland Height's, about a mile from Creve Cour park, and for $7 in that area all you are going to get is a blow-up doll with a leak . If you have never had an Asian hooker you do not know what you are missing!!!!! In fact it may change your life!!!!!

By the way, I still have some good friends back there, they use to ride with the Outcast Motorcycle Club, do they still exist back there?

Not jealous. Don't have to or want to pay for sex. It was just a thought trying to help John out with his issues.

And I guess you haven't been back here in awhile--by your comment especially if I lived in St Charles, you were trying to infer something but not sure what?. St Charles has changed greatly over the past 20 years. Maryland Hts used to be the armpit of Creve Coeur, now it is the armpit also of St. Charles. I too lived 1 mile from Creve Coeur park for 10 years but I lived south of the park, not north like yourself.

Sorry, never heard of the Outcast Motorcycle Club. They must have a secret hideout I don't know about so they stay in seclusion. I have friends in the StreetFighters Motorcycle Club, if that helps.

 

[crosseyedjoe]

So what is the verdict?

YES or NO

 

[olauzon]

got to be careful with that sarcasm there mr barton. sadly enough, most pepople don't understand intonations; sometimes semi-understandable since it's typed and not talked. it puts me in fun situations all the time.

 

[manwon]

Not jealous. Don't have to or want to pay for sex. It was just a thought trying to help John out with his issues.

And I guess you haven't been back here in awhile--by your comment especially if I lived in St Charles, you were trying to infer something but not sure what?. St Charles has changed greatly over the past 20 years. Maryland Hts used to be the armpit of Creve Coeur, now it is the armpit also of St. Charles. I too lived 1 mile from Creve Coeur park for 10 years but I lived south of the park, not north like yourself.

Sorry, never heard of the Outcast Motorcycle Club. They must have a secret hideout I don't know about so they stay in seclusion. I have friends in the StreetFighters Motorcycle Club, if that helps.

You are right, I have not been there is sometime, things have changed. When you say you lived South of the Park where is that exactly? How old are you? Because when I lived back there, in the 1970's St. Charles was a great deal like East St. Louis is today. I suppose the Gambling Boats and Casino's have brought some money into that town and cleaned it up.

By the way, never heard of the Street Fighters must be a difference in our generations..

Have a good day!!!!!!

 

[BlackDragon]

does lead make the cue heavier?.. cause I heard lighter cues break faster but I'm looking for a heavier cue or even a custom made one. Are their custom cue makers in Shanghai or Beijing? In 2 yrs, there will be hot pool players in China? lol Didn't a guy from Beijing come in at number four behind Alcano and Soquet.

 

[John Barton]

got to be careful with that sarcasm there mr barton. sadly enough, most pepople don't understand intonations; sometimes semi-understandable since it's typed and not talked. it puts me in fun situations all the time.

Right. It's good to be reminded that this forum is read by many more than actually post. Sometime I get caught up in the ridiculousness of some people's thinly veiled attacks and respond as if no one else is present.

I need a week of SJM immersion - the calmest and most well reasoned poster on AZ.

 

[John Barton]

Watchez,

I don't have any issues that a brain and "heart" transplant for you wouldn't fix.

Please provide us with a list of pool related products that you can certify are "safe"? You said there is plenty of room on the USA wagon so skip the rhetoric and find out for yourself rather than asking rhetorical questions.

I am sorry that my examples and even my sarcastic lampoons went over your head.

To help you a little on your crusade to protect the health of pool players in America I provide the following for your continuing education:

Simple search for "Cocobolo Dust"

And one notable result from that search - from the Ameican Cuemakers Association website:

"There are substantial health hazards with the materials. Regrinding tools can produce carcinogenic carbide dust. Some woods are toxic, such as cocobolo dust. The biggest danger is in the carcinogenic nature of the many finishes. Elaborate breathing equipment has to be used, and you can absorb some toxic liquids through you skin."

Written by cuemaker Jim Buss, who is a real "rocket scientist" in his day job. Full article HERE

I fully expect that after reading of all the toxic materials present in pool cues in general, including those that are made in the United States of America, that you will open an investigation as to which cuemakers are taking the precautions to shield their customers and family members from those dangerous poisons.

I will be here for you to guide and educate you along the difficult crusade you have undertaken. It's a thankless task to be an evangelist for right and often it is tempting to make completely unfounded statements when preaching the gospel. But I will be here to correct you and take you out of the darkness of ignorance and into the light of knowledge.

 

[watchez]

Manwon- If you haven't been back to St Louis in quite awhile, how do you know what East St Louis today is & compare it to St Charles of 1970? I don't think that St Charles was ever like East St Louis. I could be wrong, but I know in the past 25 years it is nothing like East STL. South of the park is Creve Coeur (actually our house was unincorporated St Louis County). I could see the lake from the top of my street on a nice winter day. North of the park is Maryland Hts., where you are from. Do a google map on Creve Coeur Park & you will see. Maryland Hts is more blue collar/industrial. Creve Coeur is, well, not. I am 39.

John- Please stay on line with the subject at hand. I am not concerned about the people making pool cues and their health. That is a risk that Jim Buss and his fellow members of the Cuemakers Association can deal with. I am concerned with the materials/usage of lead in products. Can I absorb this coco dust or carcinogenic finish thru my skin or nostrils after I am using the finished product that he creates? I spoke to Jim Buss, the rocket scientist turned Smithsonian pool cuemaker, and he said no. By the way, Jim Buss also lives in St Louis. Nice guy. Big talker. Expert cuemaker.

So let's see. Jim Buss cues are safe. Put them on the list. Gulyassy cues are safe. Put them on the list. Fury, McDermott, Blaze are not. Put them on the unsafe list, until I hear otherwise.