Hi LC3,
yes, coring out the forearm makes a big differance in the cues hit. By doing this you take away the woods natural hit and feel.Most cuemakers, do use maple for handle stock and cores, some use a laminated maple product, some like me use hard-rock-straight grain maple. The lamanated woods, are a little heavier than a maple dowel.The extra weight is caused by the glue used to hold it all together.
As far as the handle, it's hard rock maple, and pretty darn stable. And it cost less than the maiforearm and butt seleve material woods used. Why cover up a nice piece of wood with leather or irish-linnen and not show the wonderful grain?
Structural dis-advantages using the same wood for the entire cue, is that a one piece butt section, will warp very easly. Using two pieces, makes it stronger and less likely to go nuts on yo.
Yes, Bruin70, it has it's own wonderfull hit and feel.
blud