I have a matched pair that Jim made for me out of Bacote and I have been nothing but happy with them. I play straight Pool 98% of the time so I very seldom hit the ball hard while playing position on the bottom end of the table. Most of the time I just let the weight of the cue move the ball a few inches or so. I can feel the hit more with this cue than anything I have ever used before. Almost like I hit the cue with the end of my finger. Workmanship is absolutely awesome. I like this cue so much he is making me another player out of some cool and groovy Ebony which I cant wait to see.