Full Splice cues

DukeofDBQ

DukeofDBQ

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I have seen quite a few posting on AZ about John Davis's full splice cues. Mark Bear also makes full splice cues. Are there any AZers with knowledge about these two makers?? All opinions are welcome
 
Michael Webb said:
Mark Bear has my respect and admiration. I don't know Mr. Davis.
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That is what I say too- a cue made by Mark is a work of art that is only surpassed by it functionality!
Great guy too!
 
I've seen cues by both makers, and they were all very nice. I have only seen one Davis, and it was very plain, but looked like it was very well made. I have seen several of Mark Bears, and they all looked beautiful. If you are in the market for a full splice, there are a few others to check out as well. I really like Scott Whislers full splice cues personally.
 
DukeofDBQ said:
I have seen quite a few posting on AZ about John Davis's full splice cues. Mark Bear also makes full splice cues. Are there any AZers with knowledge about these two makers?? All opinions are welcome
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I know Mark from meeting him the past few years at Valley Forge. I also did an article on John Davis.

John Davis worked side-by-side with Burton Spain when Burton was making blanks for Balabushka and many others of the time. THere should be no distinction between a Davis or Spain blank of that era as they were using the same equipment, and same processes that they developed together. John bought Spain's business, and then sold it back to him a few years later. He's come back into the business now that cuemaking might be more successful for him. He's gotten help from Joel Hercek among others.

Mark Bear has been one of only a handful (a couple?) of cuemakers who IIRC build full-splice cues exclusively (on his spliced cues). So he's going to be one of the most experienced at using the various woods in a full-spliced cues. He builds a solid cue, and he's a great guy. I really need to do an article on him.

Fred
 
Hey Fred...great article on John Davis. I have one of his cues ordered and expect it around July. I'm looking forward to the "old school of cuebuilding" hit! :p
 
Cornerman said:
I know Mark from meeting him the past few years at Valley Forge. I also did an article on John Davis.

John Davis worked side-by-side with Burton Spain when Burton was making blanks for Balabushka and many others of the time. THere should be no distinction between a Davis or Spain blank of that era as they were using the same equipment, and same processes that they developed together. John bought Spain's business, and then sold it back to him a few years later. He's come back into the business now that cuemaking might be more successful for him. He's gotten help from Joel Hercek among others.

Fred
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Based on your article and subsequent posts, I went up to John's shop and eventually got 2 blanks from him. Sailor of Racine (Frank Stellman) has one of them. Ed Young picked the other one up Monday. I'm hoping that he puts some of the Kersenbrock magic into the full splice blank.
 
Can I assume that we are talking about veneered full splice cues here, or both veneered and non-veneered full splices (commonly referred to as a 'sneaky pete' or 'hustler')?

Anymore, the non-veneered variety are anything but sneaky...and there are some cuemakers that do prefer to refer to these as a non-veneered full splice....while not as labor-intensive as the veneered full splice, still requires a great deal of attention to detail to craft well. There is even a cuemaker out there who, while not doing a veneered full splice...finger splices his non-veneered full splices, making for an incredibly stable cue, with tons of resonance.

I am a fan of both...particularly the non-veneered variety, having a whole new respect for those cuemakers that can truly craft them well. I currently play with such a cue, and I just cannot see myself ever going back to a short-spliced, wrapped cue again.

Either way, a well crafted full splice cue can certainly spoil you. :D

You can also add another cuemaker to your list along with Mr Davis and Mr Bear....and that would be Mr Tucker, although, good luck getting one! After spending the last couple of years perfecting his technique in his workshop in his spare time, he has gone exclusively to crafting full splice cues...both non-veneered and veneered. He is doing some of THE crispest, non-fuzzy veneers on a full splice I have ever seen....and his points are perfect.

Lisa
 
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