Predator LE3 and LE4 Leather Wrap

Agent 99

Agent 99

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I have a problem and I need some input about the wrap on the LE3 and LE4 cues.

Here is my problem - I want to buy this cue. I already use this shaft. I think the cue looks great.

The only wrap I play with is no wrap. It just works for my hands allowing me to hold the butt with a lighter grip. I had a real leather grip one time, it was genuine bull hide leather - Seybert's sells and installs this wrap.

I could play with that, after soften up the leather with some olive oil and letting it stand in the corner for about a week. That leather would really soak up that oil, and once it got soft it had the kind of grip that I need.

So now I am wondering about the leather wrap on the LE3's and 4's.

I think it's great that Predator is finally offering a real leather grip instead of their usual plastic-lux affair. But still pissed that a no wrap version is not offered.

For those who have an opinion, please tell me if you think this wrap would be too hard and slippery for some one with my preferences.

Have any of you softened it up by treating it with this, that or some other thing?

Thanks in advance.
 
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Owned the LE3 & it worked fine for me considering I Never had a wrapped cue in the last 4yrs that I have been playing. I first thought the wrap would bother me but it never did...the wrap was also soft enough for me so I didn't have to bother treating it.
 
Agent 99 said:
I have a problem and I need some input about the wrap on the LE3 and LE4 cues.

Here is my problem - I want to buy this cue. I already use this shaft. I think the cue looks great.

The only wrap I play with is no wrap. It just works for my hands allowing me to hold the butt with a lighter grip. I had a real leather grip one time, it was genuine bull hide leather - Seybert's sells and installs this wrap.

I could play with that, after soften up the leather with some olive oil and letting it stand in the corner for about a week. That leather would really soak up that oil, and once it got soft it had the kind of grip that I need.

So now I am wondering about the leather wrap on the LE3's and 4's.

I think it's great that Predator is finally offering a real leather grip instead of their usual plastic-lux affair. But still pissed that a no wrap version is not offered.

For those who have an opinion, please tell me if you think this wrap would be too hard and slippery for some one with my preferences.

Have any of you softened it up by treating it with this, that or some other thing?

Thanks in advance.
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I noticed that the predator P3 with no wrap was a bit larger diameter at the butt than the another predator I owned with the faux leather wrap.

I settled with the no wrap and after playing for a year with it, the other cues feel too thin at the grip for me, now that I am used to the larger diameter butt.

Double check with the dealer of there is a difference on size of the butt diameter leather wrap LE 3 or 4, from your current no wrap predator. You might want to test drive one first before making the financial commitment.
 
One thing to add - you really shouldn't use any food based oil for things like that - you run the risk of the oil getting rancid and getting smelly, or worse. They make mineral based oils for cutting boards for the same reason.
 
I have a LE3 and had never owned a leather wrapped cue before this one. Mine is great, nice and soft (not squishy though).

Predator recommends just wiping it down with water so I assume it has already been treated/sealed.

If you have specific questions about it, feel free to PM me.
 
I had a similar issue with the Predator LE 2, those came with a black linen wrap. I asked about possibly changing to a wood wrap and was told that the cost would be ridiculous. Finally I never had anything done but one option that was offered was a lacquered wrap. Meucci used to do this to some cues (I suspect other manufacturers as well). Pechauer does that type of work for Predator, you might contact them and see if could recommend anything
 
Thanks to all for the replies. I'm encouraged by the fact that this wrap is not hard but soft to the touch. I am motivated at this time because when the 314/2's are gone the price of beans will go up...

I would like to wait to the end of the month, I will have an opportunity to hit one at the BCA tourney in Vegas, but if the 314/2's are gone at that time there will be no more good deals.

Right now for under $600.00 seems like the deal. I could pick up another 314/2 shaft and for under $800.00 I would not have to think about having to buy anything for a while.

I think it's great that Predator has a 8 inch screw in extension for this cue .. very nice!

Excellent recommendation to have the wrap filled with resin and clear coated - I have a friend who has a Schon that he had built like that and it is fantastic, under the clear coat you can see the Irish Linin wrap - looks real good! But I do not want to spend any more than I have to - If I have to have custom work done to a new cue I would just have a new custom made, but now I'm spending more money...

And thanks for the heads up on the olive oil - If needed I will get some mineral based stuff from Lowes.
 
Alright I just pulled the trigger ... made a nice deal, this cue with extra shaft for $690.00 - I just couldn't say no...Thanks to all.
 
Agent 99 said:
Thanks to all for the replies. I'm encouraged by the fact that this wrap is not hard but soft to the touch. I am motivated at this time because when the 314/2's are gone the price of beans will go up...

I would like to wait to the end of the month, I will have an opportunity to hit one at the BCA tourney in Vegas, but if the 314/2's are gone at that time there will be no more good deals.

Right now for under $600.00 seems like the deal. I could pick up another 314/2 shaft and for under $800.00 I would not have to think about having to buy anything for a while.

I think it's great that Predator has a 8 inch screw in extension for this cue .. very nic
Excellent recommendation to have the wrap filled with resin and clear coated - I have a friend who has a Schon that he had built like that and it is fantastic, under the clear coat you can see the Irish Linin wrap - looks real good! But I do not want to spend any more than I have to - If I have to have custom work done to a new cue I would just have a new custom made, but now I'm spending more money...

And thanks for the heads up on the olive oil - If needed I will get some mineral based stuff from Lowes.
Click to expand...

303 protectant on the wrap
 
Agent 99 said:
I could not find out exactly what this stuff is - not even a manufacturers name.

But I think I found it .. is this it?

http://www.superiorcarcare.net/303products.html#.VaC82JVRF2F

What is in it? How does it make a leather wrap tackier?

Thanks.
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It's a great leather treatment. Not sure what you mean by tackier but this will give the leather a great feel. Can use it on leather cue cases also. Use it on anything leather or vinyl. It's breathable. Keeps things looking and feeling good.
I have an LE4. I would not dare to put anything on the leather. Looks/feels real good out of the box as is.
 
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GoldCrown said:
It's a great leather treatment. Not sure what you mean by tackier but this will give the leather a great feel. Can use it on leather cue cases also. Use it on anything leather or vinyl. It's breathable. Keeps things looking and feeling good.
I have an LE4. I would not dare to put anything on the leather. Looks/feels real good out of the box as is.
Click to expand...


Thanks for the info. If the wrap doesn't need it I have some furniture that does.
 
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