Elephant ear skin wrap

[Cdryden]

I wont get into the morality of this subject but I do have something to add pertaining to using elephant ear as a wrap. One of the Cuemakers I have talked with in the past says he discourages it because the wrap groove that is made to accommodate the elephant ear leather is deeper due the the hides thickness. So, if you ever choose to change the wrap it could become a issue.

I am not a cuemaker, so I don't know how accurate this statement is.

 

[CreeDo]

I think it sucks.

There are a million options, but we have to kill one of the largest, most intelligent animals on earth,
whose numbers are dwindling, and then ship something halfway across the world,
so you can have a different texture on your wrap?

Just use some frigging leather. We're going to kill cows for the meat and hide anyway,
and you don't need to go overseas to get it.

 

[TheThaiger]

The mention of elephant ears always makes me smile....
...because of an old joke.

A man goes to a restaurant where the claim they will make ANYTHING
you order....so the guy orders an elephant ear sandwich...
...the waiter comes back and says.......
"I'm sorry sir....we're out of bread."

...carry on...

pt..likes Irish linen, cork, or wrapless

That's two good gags from you today.

Me. 5%er.

 

[DoubleA]

Best wrap I have ever played with.

 

[ChrisOnline]

the elephant inner ear and outer ear both have different textures..

chris

 

[Tony_in_MD]

Tell that to PITA.

There is always someone who will be offended.

I think it sucks.

There are a million options, but we have to kill one of the largest, most intelligent animals on earth,
whose numbers are dwindling, and then ship something halfway across the world,
so you can have a different texture on your wrap?

Just use some frigging leather. We're going to kill cows for the meat and hide anyway,
and you don't need to go overseas to get it.

 

[SouthernDraw]

I am both an animal lover and a conservationist, but I'd have an elephant ear wrap on my cue in a heartbeat if my cue was ear-worthy. The stuff comes from legally culled elephants, and every part of such a magnificent animal who must meet it's demise out of necessity should be used without reservation.

When too many elephants occupy too little land, they not only face starvation, they encroach upon villages in the vicinity, destroying crops and endangering humans. There is little choice but to cull the herd to a sustainable size. This is not the same as poaching, which removes large numbers of animals indiscriminately.

Elephant ear leather is a fantastic material. Not only does it have a handsome texture, the feel in the hand is like no other. Every time I pick up a fine cue with an elephant wrap, I feel the urge to go hit some with it. It just feels good in my hand. Most of the stuff goes to belts, wallets, boots, etc. where it has little use except for looks. On a cue it has both beauty and function in its favor, so this is probably the very best use for such a precious and disappearing resource.

Why is there always one person that has to bring reason into the equation everytime such a devastating story about inequality and injustice arises! Next thing we'll be hearing from someone on Galapagos Island spewing theories about natural selection. BTW, the earth is flat also.

Respect, Courage, and Commitment!

 

[scottjen26]

Does suck to think about the animals used in seemingly whimsical applications - cues, purses, boots, etc. Some are probably legally obtained, while others are not.

That being said, I've felt an elephant ear wrap and it is nice. I have linen now and one of these days will think about retrofitting mine with a leather wrap of some sort. Just concerned about depth of leather vs. linen and possible damage to the cue since it's worth $2K+, need to make sure someone reputable would do it. If I could figure that part out would be done already...

Last year in Vegas, was talking to Samsara rep (Mike) and he had a nice leather wrap on a cue. He convinced my buddy that it was virgin kangaroo pouch (ha ha), which somehow my buddy not only didn't get the joke but heard it as kangaroo penis. We had some good laughs over that one... Regardless of what part it came from, it was nice...
Scott

 

[CreeDo]

Why is there always one person that has to bring reason into the equation
every time such a devastating story about inequality and injustice arises!

I get that some people are tired of the bleeding heart stuff.

But the only reason there is any elephant overpopulation issue is
BECAUSE of conservation. Without those laws, they'd absolutely go extinct.
And the overpopulation issue is specifically in southern Africa. Not anywhere else.
Overall their numbers are declining.

They are classified as "Vulnerable" on the WWF's scale,
which in their words means "Facing a high risk of extinction in the Wild".

I agree that IF killing elephants in one area becomes a necessity,
then yes, use every part of it.

But it's a stretch to say there's much 'utility' from an elephant ear wrap.
Wraps are 100% optional in the first place, and if you must have one, there are many fine alternatives.
The cue itself is just a low-tech amusement device.

This is not like Indians using buffalo for housing, meat and clothes.
It's more like killing a 5 year old to make a volleyball net and earrings.

 

[Sloppy Pockets]

Why is there always one person that has to bring reason into the equation everytime such a devastating story about inequality and injustice arises! Next thing we'll be hearing from someone on Galapagos Island spewing theories about natural selection. BTW, the earth is flat also.

Respect, Courage, and Commitment!

The bizarre thing is that there seems to be selective pressure for elephants to grow smaller tusks. Seems the big tuskers have been the best targets, so the ones with the weenie tusks are the more successful breeders because they're still alive to do the deed. Bottom line is that today's elephants appear to have smaller tusks in general than elephants from earlier times.

Maybe they will evolve to have no tusks at all and will no longer be hunted for their ivory. I doubt they'll survive in spite of that, though, unless they evolve to be a whole heck of a lot smaller. Suitable habitat for healthy populations of elephants is vanishing quickly as man continues to encroach upon it at an increasing rate.

 

[Sloppy Pockets]

This is not like Indians using buffalo for housing, meat and clothes. It's more like killing a 5 year old to make a volleyball net and earrings.

Somehow just the idea of that made my blood run cold. It's nothing like that at all.

FWIW I have never seen a photo of a dead elephant where they took the ears. They hack away at the face to get the tusks off as quickly as they can and high tail out of there as fast as they can. With shoot-to-kill orders to wardens, these guys are acutely aware of the risk they are taking. Tusks are worth tens of thousands, ears are worthless to them by comparison.

This whole thing makes me sick to my stomach, but I still feel it's a great way to honor these animals by using what's left after such a horrific deed takes place. We will probably never agree on this, but it's not just a rationalization on my part. I know some folks could care less about the animal or the carnage involved, they just want the elephant wrap because they can afford it. That's the same mentality as the Chinese have for the ivory, and is what is driving most of the current wave of poaching.

I feel sorry for those people who are so self-important, but I know how I feel about it inside, and it is much closer to the Native American philosophy than the disgusting other comparison you made.:shakehead: