To me the first thing is to figure out what you want, and then who builds that type of cue. Some makers do great point work, inlay work, and others may build more natural cues with or without points. Some cue makers will build shafts and butts with different tapers to fit your wants, others are going to build them the way they see fit. Know the cuemakers I'd buy from, but its a list of people that build cues that I know I like.