Kikel or Nitti

T

Twdewitt

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Hello,

I am in the process of deciding who to make a custom cue and would like to get different opinions between Kikel and Nitti.

Thanks.
 
I have a Nitti on order and he is a pleasure to work with. He calls you back and is very eager to work with you on what you want. Plus you can call his shop and he is almost always there during the day.
 
i have no experience with kikel
i have 4 nitti cues
2 ordered direct from him my design ...2 after market
they all play great
his workmanship is superb
customer service is tremendous
he is easy to get a hold of and talk to
got my cues within a very reasonable time of estimate
I WOULD STRONGLY RECOMMEND YOU GO WITH NITTI
 
I worked with Dave Kikel and he was great to work with and built an incredible cue for me.

I have only heard great things about Chris Nitti, but I have never heard a bad thing about him.

I dont think you will go wrong with either one.

Ken
 
Thanks for the responses. I am leaning toward Kikel, because he is about to stop making cues and I like his wood selection process.
 
Maybe the best looking cue I have ever seen was made by Nitti. Same guy had another Nitti which is my second favorite. I don't own one but he makes a fine cue.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk
 
Go with Nitti.....he is one of the most under-appreciated cue-makers alive........the guy is incredibly talented.



Matt B.
 
I would go Nitti myself.

I prefer sharp points done in a "short spliced" style (or in full splice of course) which is how Nitti builds his cues.

I hear Kikel does really good precise work and his cues play very well. As I understand it he uses flat bottom points done with a pantograph. Nothing wrong with that at all, some incredibly nice and high end cues are built that way, just doesn't happen to fit in with my personal preferences.
 
Nitti is unappreciated for sure. He does extraordinary work. He rebuilt one of his cues that had major issues from abuse and turned it back to brand new for me. Excellent communication.

It really comes down to Hit and Style. Nitti doesn't do a ton of natural colors in his pallet for cues. Kikel does. He is also renown for making excellent cues. I've heard cuemakers that have said how great Kikels play.... If you can get an order in for either one, do it and post pics in the cue and case gallery.
 
Yes, we played pool at the same pool hall in Orlando, Trick Shots off University. He makes a solid cue, but I have wanted a custom Kikel for many years.
 
Chris Nitti has being doing all my cue work for the last 5 years, he is great to work with and is a nice guy, which means a lot to me. I don't know anything about Kikel so won't comment on his work or his cues, but Nitti is great to deal with. Tom
 
I have not played with or shot with a Nitti. So I will keep my comments to my experience with Dave Kikel. I had a couple of Dave's cues and loved them. I have played and shot pool with many other cuemakers cues and still love Dave's cues. Finally I decided to go all in with Dave and we collaborated on a special cue. I asked Dave to ship me all the pieces of camatillo he had so I could choose the wood I wanted. He was happy to oblige me and so we proceeded. I chose several pieces of dark violet and black straight grained camatillo for a wrapless cue. I chose to go with an all ivory point and inlay design similar to a tuxedo cue but with camatillo instead of ebony. It has been my favorite cue since. I cannot say enough about working with Dave on this cue, never was there a moment of indecision or mistrust. He did exactly what we had agreed upon and delivered on time. Happily for me I now have a cue for a lifetime. Recently I turned down $3500.00 for it, that should give the OP some idea how I feel about Dave Kikel cues.
 
One other thing.

My Kikel played very similar to a Josswest in "hit". I dont know if you like that are not, but I found that Kikels and Josswest cues play very close.

Why? I dont know.

JMO


Ken
 
He started out working for Bill when they were in Co. Spgs. I'm guessing close to 40 yrs ago. BTW Ken, Bill and Keith Keeling both passed away in the last few weeks.. Having a benefit tournament for their family's tomorrow at Side Pockets.
 
Last edited:
crabbcatjohn said:
He started out working for Bill when they were in Co. Spgs. I'm guessing close to 40 yrs ago. BTW Ken, Bill and Keith Keeling both passed away in the last few weeks.. Having a benefit tournament for their family's tomorrow at Side Pockets.
Click to expand...

OMG.

Please pass along my condolences to everyone.

I will pray for them.

Ken
 
Nitti

Well if you like rounded points Kikel if you like sharp points go with Nitti personal I would go with Nitti if I was you just because you live close. That's always a plus living near a great cue maker especially when their making you a cue.

But I don't think you could go wrong with either one both make excellent cues that play phenomenal and both will be easy to resale if you ever choose.
 
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