Leather wraps, is everyone going nuts!

cuenut

cuenut

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Is it me, or does it seem like everyone is going "leather wrap" nuts!! Lately, it seems like 8 out of 10 cues over $2000 have leather, many that probably had it added during refinish jobs. It seems like every cuemaker out there that refinishes cues picks up some decent customs, refinishes them, and adds leather, regardless of what the cue looked like before being refurbished. I think it is a shame in some cases. I particularly don't like the multi-hued lizard or snake skins, but that is just my personal taste. Anyone share in my sentiments.
I think many cues would look much better with a nice selection from the available pallet of irish linens out there.
 
I've recently been playing around with some of my buddies' cues with STACK leather on them, and I really like those...

But, most definitely, I am an irish linen guy! If you get a nice linen, pressed right...real smooth and silky...best feeling in the world. I actually don't like leather, to be honest. It's no contest, as far as I am concerned.
 
Leather does seem to be en vogue right now. Personally, I'm a wrapless kind of guy from a playability standpoint.

As far as looks, I do think that a classy Irish linen can be really tight though (esp white with colored specks). Throw a clear coat over the linen (a la Meucci) and we're talkin'!
 
no offense but this thread should be moved to the main section. oh by the way , i happen to like leather.
 
Only my opinion

My opinion is that the solid color or single color wraps regardless of leather or linen are the best looking wraps, with the exception of maybe the white with green spec courtland linen wraps. I also think that a 1000 + dollar cue looks more like it is worth the money with a classy looking leather wrap. I often like the feel of linen more that leather but think the leathers look much richer.
 
I have leather wraps on all my cues and prefer the feel of leather to linen. It is much easier to clean and condition, and looks better to me as well.
 
skins said:
no offense but this thread should be moved to the main section. oh by the way , i happen to like leather.
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Sorry, I think you are right about the post being in the wrong spot. Do you know how to move it, or is it too late? Thanks.
 
cuenut said:
Sorry, I think you are right about the post being in the wrong spot. Do you know how to move it, or is it too late? Thanks.
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no i don't. i think the site will do it if they catch it. until then post on. :)
 
I just bought my first cue with a leather wrap. Gotta say, I like it.
 
Since there appears to be quite a few people out there right now, what is the best way to keep a lizard wrap nice and shiny and not grow dull from play? Thanks.
 
I agree that Leather makes for a great wrap; most of my cues have some kind of leather wrap (leather, lizard, stack, etc.)

However, leather is not right for every cue. And the exotic skins are not right for most cues. I've seen entirely too many cues recently with lizard wrap, ring-tail, snake, etc., that was just wrong for the particular cue.

Be that as it may, I totally dislike the "gangster wrap" on any cue, anywhere, by any maker. Referring to black w/white spec irish linen, of course. Like the Poster not liking leather, this is a personal preference. But B/W linen shows a total lack of creative thought by the CM. Old-style off-white w/green spec will work nicely most of the time, and will always look better than B/W linen.

It's like buying a house with the interior paint still "builder white". It's just there temporarily to serve a purpose until the real paint and colors are chosen and applied. :D

JMO!
-von (Converted SCRUGGS Fan)
 
shiny

cuenut said:
Since there appears to be quite a few people out there right now, what is the best way to keep a lizard wrap nice and shiny and not grow dull from play? Thanks.
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I use Lexol on all my leather. Cases, the one wrap that's leather, and that would be wood if I had my druthers, and it seems to work well. I use the cleaner, and then the conditioner.
 
I used to like leather.
Problem is they get sticky afte some long sessions.
I don't recommend it.
 
Depends on the cue. Some plain looking cues look better with linen. Fancier cues look better with leather in my opinion. But I like the feel of linen alot better.
 
Personally can't stand the lizards, think they make cue's look like something a 2000 kid would use trying to look like a 70's television pimp.

Stack leather looks nice, not a big fan of how it feels. Like linen. Green and white is my favorite, but I like most colors other than straight double black. If I was going to do double black linen I'd probably just get black leather and I don't like leather.
 
Could Not Agree More

Hey Cuenut,

I think you hit the nail on head with this one. I think you are 100 % right
and I can't understand it myself. I feel this is just an easy way for some people who are selling cues to entice the buyer and sell quicker or sell for more money just because a the cue has a fancy leather Wrap. It really annoys me when people are selling a cue and change the wrap for no reason other then to say LOOK It has a Brand New Leather Wrap !!!!! I say
Big Deal. Does anybody consider that the Whole world does not like Leather and Not everyone wants a Leather wrap on there cue. I have bought 3 cues this year alone that I know for a fact did not come with Leather wraps from the Original cuemaker. All 3 sellers for the reasons mentioned above Just had to change the Wrap from Linen to various Leathers to change the cue all for the worse. All this did was cost me time and money to have the Leather Wraps removed and Replace them with the proper Original Irish Linen Wraps. Please, to all the people who do this STOP doing it. If a person really wants a certain Leather wrap on the cue they are Buying they will have it installed themselves.
 
cuenut said:
Since there appears to be quite a few people out there right now, what is the best way to keep a lizard wrap nice and shiny and not grow dull from play? Thanks.
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Mike Webb recommends using just a few drops of mink oil...often found in sporting goods stores as it is a tried and true method for breaking in leather baseball gloves.

When I had my Skip, which had a lizard wrap, which he installed at build, I often found that just buffing the wrap up with a clean microfiber cloth...or even better still, some cotton flannel, will often bring the shine back up in the center of the wrap area where the wear seems to be the most evident. Also, wiping the wrap area occasionally with a cloth during play will help out greatly. It is the acidity of one's sweat while playing that tends to dull things up a bit.

I am recently a wrapless convert, and I doubt very seriously that I will ever go back! The one thing I found with leather/exotic wraps is that I am 'hyper-sensitive' to touch, and usually, even if a wrap appears seamless, I can feel the seam while shooting. I have found that with no wrap, no distractions. If the cue has to have a wrap, then I want a nice, perfectly pressed linen.

Lisa
 
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I love leather wrap, it doesn't slip in your hand. I grip my cue so lightly that when I'm on a smooth linen wrap it'll slide on me. I'm used to gripping on the buttsleeve for most shots and choking up onto the wrap only when nessisary. Popularity doesn't mean it's good, but I personally prefer it.
 
cuenut said:
Since there appears to be quite a few people out there right now, what is the best way to keep a lizard wrap nice and shiny and not grow dull from play? Thanks.
Click to expand...

Scott, I had Joe Blackburn (one of the top cue repair guys, he always sets up at the top tournaments) recommend Behlen Master Wood Turner's Finish. It comes in a 16oz bottle and costs $15-20. You spin the cue on a lathe and take a soft rag and put on a light coat. It really enhances the color and gives it an extremely nice shine. It lasts a very long time and makes the cue look great. It is a permanent sealer and some people may be hesitant to use it, but it would not bother me to use it on any cue, no matter the value. Below is one link you can take a look.

Sincerely, Jim

And by the way, I love a nice leather wrap.

http://www.cheyennesales.com/catalog/behwturners.htm
 
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I prefer leather over linen by far. I realize others don't feel that way so I make sure to have an assortment of linen wrapped cues on hand. Cork-rubber wraps have the nicest feel IMO. Smooth or nearly smooth pig, cow, or kangaroo is what I like. I'm not a big fan of exotic wraps or wrapless cues.

Martin


cuenut said:
Is it me, or does it seem like everyone is going "leather wrap" nuts!! Lately, it seems like 8 out of 10 cues over $2000 have leather, many that probably had it added during refinish jobs. It seems like every cuemaker out there that refinishes cues picks up some decent customs, refinishes them, and adds leather, regardless of what the cue looked like before being refurbished. I think it is a shame in some cases. I particularly don't like the multi-hued lizard or snake skins, but that is just my personal taste. Anyone share in my sentiments.
I think many cues would look much better with a nice selection from the available pallet of irish linens out there.
Click to expand...
 
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