Existentialism and Cue Collecting

Drawman623

Drawman623

Box Cue lover
Silver Member
Not wanting to open debate about what existentialism is all about, I'll simply say that to me it means defining something by the assessment of others.

I just read a thread by AK-Stick that discussed "Master Cue Builders" and the value/desirability of their product. He wanted to know, if I understood correctly, who others thought were great makers and perhaps if others agreed with his choices.

AK-Stick can collect any cue...I was moved to thought, however, by the fact that he might even care about other's opinions. I asked myself how much of my collecting is happening to impress others vs satisfy myself. I came up with a few key points about why I collect:

1) Playability. I buy cues for their great playability. If they hit like a dog, I won't keep the cue...even if I don't play with it.

2) Beauty. I buy cues for the beauty of the materials used. Even if I never heard of the builder, I'll give them a play if the look of the materials is right.

3) Craftsmanship. I love a well built cue. Tight perfect veneers, symmetry and consistency are a must.

4) Story. I like a cue with a story behind it. Maybe the maker is a teriffic person who built the cue for me...or perhaps the cue was owned by someone famous...human interest helps.

Value doesn't really enter the picture. I'm not an investor...I am a collector. Having cues that appreciate or have a hungry market following them makes collecting more difficult. Man I scrap for every dollar I have. The temptation of profit is simply unpleasant to me. I bought to own...not to flip.

Anyone out there care to offer a reason or reasons why they collect. It has to go deeper than just pissing off the wife...(or am I the only one in that perdicament too?)

DSCN0549.jpg
 
Great post. I agree with the things you said. I can add to that -
Great deal of fun, get to learn new things, meet/talk to interesting people.
I just love it:grin:.

I do take out all my cues from time to time and play with them, everytime I do that I tend to learn something new. Different feel etc.

Take care

Chrippa
 
Drawman623 said:
Not wanting to open debate about what existentialism is all about, I'll simply say that to me it means defining something by the assessment of others.

No. If it's "defining something," it's defining by your OWN self assessment, based on your OWN value system. Which makes you have to define yourself, your values, and your reasons for being, first...

...Unless you lack awareness of a true self and always look to others for values? Is this what modern man has come to? ACK! Have you actually hit on the hidden truth of the commercial media technological consumerist age?

ARGH.

You made my head seriously hurt with just your first sentence. I can't even think about cues, now. I'm going to sit in the corner and spittle some muttered cusswords now.
Click to expand...
 
Someone go stick their finger in the hole on the side of the NPR holding tank. Some of it is leaking out to here...
 
Hi Gian
I generally agree with what you stated. I buy what I like and if it doesn't hit to MY satisfaction I'll sell it. I don't care what someone thinks of my cues as long as I like them.

Why did I start collecting?
The search for a better hitting cue and then progressed into the history behind cues and trying as many as possible.
Take care and Happy Thanksgiving
Paul
 
blah blah said:
it's defining by your OWN self assessment, based on your OWN value system.
Click to expand...

Bravo, this is the answer I was hoping to hear. To some it is clear, even common sense, but for many, their own assessment isn't enough. Many look to others for validation of what they are doing or collecting.

I also liked Chrippa's reply. Collecting helps one connect with others, meet interesting people and share different points of view.

My focus on box cues isn't by accident, and I actually disliked the design type for many years. It's just something that grew on me.
 
Drawman623 said:
Not wanting to open debate about what existentialism is all about, I'll simply say that to me it means defining something by the assessment of others.

I just read a thread by AK-Stick that discussed "Master Cue Builders" and the value/desirability of their product. He wanted to know, if I understood correctly, who others thought were great makers and perhaps if others agreed with his choices.

AK-Stick can collect any cue...I was moved to thought, however, by the fact that he might even care about other's opinions. I asked myself how much of my collecting is happening to impress others vs satisfy myself. I came up with a few key points about why I collect:

1) Playability. I buy cues for their great playability. If they hit like a dog, I won't keep the cue...even if I don't play with it.

2) Beauty. I buy cues for the beauty of the materials used. Even if I never heard of the builder, I'll give them a play if the look of the materials is right.

3) Craftsmanship. I love a well built cue. Tight perfect veneers, symmetry and consistency are a must.

4) Story. I like a cue with a story behind it. Maybe the maker is a teriffic person who built the cue for me...or perhaps the cue was owned by someone famous...human interest helps.

Value doesn't really enter the picture. I'm not an investor...I am a collector. Having cues that appreciate or have a hungry market following them makes collecting more difficult. Man I scrap for every dollar I have. The temptation of profit is simply unpleasant to me. I bought to own...not to flip.

Anyone out there care to offer a reason or reasons why they collect. It has to go deeper than just pissing off the wife...(or am I the only one in that perdicament too?)

DSCN0549.jpg
Click to expand...




Big word there :smile: . When i was a kid we played marbles for keeps , you could get a bag of cats eyes at the dime store , cats eyes were the overwhelming dominant marble . Occasionally someones folks would get them a bag from somewhere else and new blood would be injected.

Nearly everyone shot with their own special marble , and collected unique ones . They had no real value , people just collected them because of the way the looked . I figure that is some peoples motivation for collecting cues .
 
That post is almost if I would have wrote it The main difference is I keep the cues that play doggy. I am not a huge fan of box cues but I do see a couple in your pic that I have.:wink:
 
Hahaha, don't feel like the Lone Ranger, I too have a War Department to deal with re the purchasing of cues.

Your four points describe to a Tee my exact sentiments in a cue.
 
Absolutely a beautiful collection. I understand what you stated about WHY you buy the cues you do. My mere collection doesn't cast a shadow on what you pictured.

I buy my cues because of the looks, and they way they hit. I have purchased some BEAUTIFUL cues that didn't get the final job done. A bitter disappointment. However, if the hit WASN'T to my likeing, I changed it with a custom shaft; thus MAKING it what I wanted. I buy things because I LIKE them. THIS makes it difficult for me to sell them. I am learning.

Thank you for YOUR insight.
 
Drawman623 said:
Bravo, this is the answer I was hoping to hear. To some it is clear, even common sense, but for many, their own assessment isn't enough. Many look to others for validation of what they are doing or collecting.

I also liked Chrippa's reply. Collecting helps one connect with others, meet interesting people and share different points of view.

My focus on box cues isn't by accident, and I actually disliked the design type for many years. It's just something that grew on me.
Click to expand...
I'm with you, I collect what I like, not thinking for the Value in the Future and I hold the best for me playing Cues in my Collection:wink:
You are the Box Sucker and I'm the Burl Wood(most Amboyna) Sucker:grin:
Ralf
 
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