Help with info about Bludworth sneaky pete cue?

[justinb386]

I just wanted to show some pictures of a Bludworth sneaky pete that I just received on a trade, and maybe find out some info about it (if anyone knows some more info about the cue).

If anyone knows any info about the cue (like maybe when it was made, and if the shafts might be original), and what type of pin is on it (because it really looks much bigger then a standard 3/8x10 pin), then I would really like to know.

It appears that the shafts were cracked, and then repaired, but I still do not know if they are original Bludworth shafts.

Would like to get a new shaft for it, but I do not know if I would need an original Bludworth shaft (if the pin is unique).

Thanks.

 

[$TAKE HOR$E]

I had a Bludowrth several years ago and no other shaft would fit it. The pin looked different than the one in your cue though, flat on top like a SW or other 3/8 pins.

Heres a regular 3/8x10, the pin in your cue may be a 3/8 but the threads per inch is probably something Bludworth uses so you can only use his shafts.

 

[justinb386]

Thanks. I wonder if I get the shafts refinished if that would keep them safer from possibly cracking any worse. Like having some finish put over the cracked area's. Would that help any, because all of the finish is gone from the shafts now (if there ever was any to begin with). I just hope the shafts are safe to shoot with.

I had a Bludowrth several years ago and no other shaft would fit it. The pin looked different than the one in your cue though, flat on top like a SW or other 3/8 pins.

Heres a regular 3/8x10, the pin in your cue may be a 3/8 but the threads per inch is probably something Bludworth uses so you can only use his shafts.

 

[$TAKE HOR$E]

The shafts should be fine with the ring on them. I had a cracked Meucci shaft and after a ring was put on it has been fine ever since, about 15 years now. I think one of the Bludworths post on here sometimes so maybe they will chime in. Depending on what you want to do with the cue, it would be a piece of cake to switch that pin out for a 3/8x10 or 11 and retap the shafts or find something to fit it.

 

[sfmc-x1]

Bludworth sneaky with 2 cracked shafts, looks like this cue has seen better days.

Blud used a .348 x 11.445. thread. It's not quite 3/8" and it's not quite 11.5 tpi. The pin is unique to billiard equipment. The argument why Blud used this pin mirrors the points related to why other cue makers use a radial, 3/8x11, or modified 3/8x10 pin. Ultimately, superior surface contact between the pin and shaft on a wood to wood flat faced cue. Where the "original" pin stock came from, or where the tap came from, at this point, is irrelevant.

Your particular sneaky pete looks consistent with what were considered "Bludworth Benny's" made from the 80's to the early/mid 90's. After which point "their" sneaky's became collard and ringed at the joint and butt cap. The name was coined Benny's basically because they were made and sold for $100 or a "Benjamin". The visual finish and quality of the Benny's varied between fair and poor with uneven points and/or gaped splicing and filled back in with glue. Keep in mind, these weren't converted house cues, he was turning these out in his shop, and for a c-note you were buying a sneaky that was going to feel and play like a wrapless custom. But look just like a bar cue.

Yours has the brown phenolic butt cap with dot out, so yours would be an earlier example. Other iterations are, brown butt cap dot in, and black butt cap dot in.

Lastly: These are getting harder & harder to find, I have seen Bludworth cues with changed out pins, the authenticity and value of these cues really come into question when seeing them. Best advice, find a established cue maker who has his tap on hand and turn you a new shaft including refinishing the butt section, sure it wouldn't be from the same shaft stock Blud was using which was part of the lore to him and his cues, but today's custom cue makers know how to select great wood for playing shafts as well as he ever did.

Cheers.

 

[AtLarge]

Blud used a .348 x 11.445. thread. ...

Almost. Quoting Leonard from almost 10 years ago: "... I build my cues with a pin that I develpoed many years ago. It works very well. it's .348 in dia., and is 11.455 threads per inch. It's not as most think, a 3/8" 10 thread. it's a little lighter in weight than either the 3/8x10 or the radial."

 

[Ken_4fun]

I disagree my friend.

I would get the cue refinished and two new shafts.

Best of luck,

Ken

 

[justinb386]

Thanks for all of your replies. That is cool that players could get a nice custom sneaky pete for $100. I added a picture of the measurement of the pin if that helps confirm the size of it. Thanks.

 

[KJ Cues]

I find it interesting that you chose to use the Metric side of the tape measure. Lol
Blud's pin is weird but it's still threads per INCH, not threads per centimeter.

Havin' fun, KJ

PS - Do a search for a post by Thomas Wayne on Blud's pin.
You'll get a sense of just how deep the BS goes regarding the pin.

 

[Leitnemup]

You can PM Leonard Bludworth on here at "blud" and ask him about the cue or you can contact John Rocker @ RocketQ and he can make you new shafts. I know he and Leonard talk often and that is probably who Leonard would recommend.

 

[justinb386]

So are the 2 shafts pretty much worthless? I wonder why anyone even bothered getting them repaired. Would refinishing the shafts not help the issue at all? I do not have the money for new shafts to be made for the cue, so would just like to make the current ones as good as possible (if it would help at all). Does the cracks affect the hit of the cue all that much? I play fine with them, but I do not know. Thanks.

You can PM Leonard Bludworth on here at "blud" and ask him about the cue or you can contact John Rocker @ RocketQ and he can make you new shafts. I know he and Leonard talk often and that is probably who Leonard would recommend.

 

[justinb386]

Lol, I do not even know how to measure the pin. I just did that measurement so that someone could confirm that the pin is actually longer or different then the 3/8x10. So only Bludworth shafts will fit on the pin? It does seem to take a long time to screw the shafts into that pin, and it is a very tight fit, so I guess that is a good thing.

I find it interesting that you chose to use the Metric side of the tape measure. Lol
Blud's pin is weird but it's still threads per INCH, not threads per centimeter.

Havin' fun, KJ

PS - Do a search for a post by Thomas Wayne on Blud's pin.
You'll get a sense of just how deep the BS goes regarding the pin.

 

[Thomas Wayne]

[...]
PS - Do a search for a post by Thomas Wayne on Blud's pin.
You'll get a sense of just how deep the BS goes regarding the pin.

The "Reader's Digest" version is this: There was no "developing" involved in the pin design; Bludworth bought a bunch of Stainless Acme-like thread rod at an auction for pennies on the dollar and cut his pins from that. I suspect it had some sort of marine application, as his family had been in the boat-building business at one time.

I'm sure they work as well as any other pin, but beyond that there's nothing special about the configuration. FWIW, I still have a length of that thread rod Blud sent me back in the day. I keep it in among my collection of memorabilia from this crazy, interesting business.

TW

 

[cutter]

Blud

Don't know about the early pins like TW has the piece of rod. But Blud's later pins, the ones with the funky pitch were made especially for him by Rolled Threads Unlimited.
I know this since I had them roll some 3/8-12 rod for me. I asked them about Blud's threads and they said he had paid for the dies and they would only make it for him.

 

[Ken_4fun]

Don't know about the early pins like TW has the piece of rod. But Blud's later pins, the ones with the funky pitch were made especially for him by Rolled Threads Unlimited.
I know this since I had them roll some 3/8-12 rod for me. I asked them about Blud's threads and they said he had paid for the dies and they would only make it for him.

I would also have a new pin installed when I had it refinished.

Putting up with Bludworth would make the cue too expensive for me.

Ken

 

[Jim Baxter]

I also would pull the basterd sized pin and have it refinished . At least you could get some use out of it .