I won't hide the fact that I consider Mike to be a friend...but I won't BS anyone...for anyone!
With that being said, I have an ebony Barnhart that also has an ivory joint with radial pin. I can honestly say of all the cues I've had pass through my hands, the Barnhart I have is BY FAR one of the best playing cues with which I've ever shot!!! NO B.S.!!! Mike and I have talked about the Barnharts we've had, and the consistency to the hits for Cory's cues appear to be very spot on...meaning they all play pretty close to the same as any of his other cues...which is why I believe the following:
The ebony/cocobolo cue is priced WAY too fairly...I doubt anyone who picks this one up will ever want to get rid of it!!! A lot of us are in search of that "holy grail" of a cue...I'm betting this cue is someone's "holy grail"!!!
Mike's one of the most stand-up sellers here on AZ...ask him about his return policy...I have an idea once you hit your first shot with this cue, you won't even want to set the cue down...let alone return it!!!
Jason