prefection vs imperfertion

[jsaxman]

prefection vs imperfection

I do basic repairs.
I'm a very perfectionist at what I do.
I try to do the best work I can do on any repair of a cue.
Question : How does the professional cue builder deal with perfection vs imperfection in their cue building?

You have a forearm with points a little off, veneers not just right,
or whatever. Do you trash the part of the cue, knowing 85% of anyone
that looks at the finished cue will not notice the imperfections???

Part of hand crafted cue building is acception some % of imperfections!



any input?

later,
sax

 

[Chris Byrne]

I trash any cue that is not right. If you start letting cues out of your shop that are not right that is the reputation you will get. It is better to scrap a cue than hurt your reputation.
I have a box of cues with minor imperfections in my shop that I hold on to for testing inlays. Nearly every customer who sees them offers to buy one. They all say "that dosen't bother me at all". I feel the loss of the material is worth it to not sell the very best you can make. My 2cents. Chris Byrne.

 

[krbsailing]

It's just my guess but, I'll betcha alot of "more than acceptable" cues are thrown into the wood pile

Perfection is perhaps unattainable....somewhat subjective IMO

My feeling is that (I'm not a cuebuilder) if I make (convert) a cue and something about the "cosmetics" is not quite what I would have liked I will simply sell the cue for less $$$ and tell any prospective buyer about the flaw

However, I'm just learning and not worried about my reputation, etc. (at the moment)

A very interesting and difficult question

Happy Holidays folks!

 

[Sheldon]

I do basic repairs.
I'm a very perfectionalist at what I do.
I try to do the best work I can do on any repair of a cue.
Question : How does the professional cue builder deal with perfection vs imperfection in their cue building?
You have a forarm with points a little off, veneers not just right,
or whatever. Do you trash the part of the cue, knowing 85% of anyone
that looks at the finished cue will not notice the imperfections???
Part of hand crafted cue building is acception some % of imperfections!
any input?

You should apply your philosophy to spelling too. Sorry, couldn't resist!

 

[jsaxman]

correction

Sheldon - Thanks for the correct spelling.
I never could spell very good.
I most definitely have lots of imperfections to work on!


It is not important where we stand,
but in what direction we are moving.


Someone may get a belly laugh on my philosophy crap!

http://www.m-w.com/ (Dictionary) Add to favorites - For the az'ers that need help with spelling!

 

[nbll01]

This is a tough question. It is very tempting to sell something that didnt turn out perfect (or as close as you can make it). I just don't do it. Its far better to scrap the work than get a bad reputation. Even if you tell the customer your selling it at a reduced cost because of a flaw. The chances are they wont tell each person who sees it about the cost or the flaw. It would be easy for someone who wasnt in the know to get the impression all your cues were this way. Just my 2 cents................Dave


http://members.cox.net/albrechtcustomcues/

 

[dunkelcustomcue]

I can't tell you how many cues I have cut up. If you sell an imperfect cue at a marked down price do you think the person that bought it is going to tell everyone it's a imperfect cue? The amount that you would make by selling an imperfect cue is not worth the damage to your reputation and loss of potential buyers.

 

[Sheldon]

http://www.m-w.com/ (Dictionary) Add to favorites - For the az'ers that need help with spelling!

Firefox 2 has a built in spell check now, that works in forums like this one! Very handy.

Perfection in cues is practically unobtainable, as it is in everything we do.... Where the line is drawn is the important issue. It's what separates the best from the rest!

 

[desi2960]

no perfect cue

i have never seen a perfect cue, i believe if you look hard enough you can see imperfections on all cues, rembember i'm a jeweler by trade and likewise, theres no such thing as a perfect diamond. under enough magnification theres allways a flaw. i believe the way a cue plays is much more important than the looks. if you are buying a cue for an investment thats one thing, but a playing cue. i'll take a great hit over looks everytime. how pretty a cue is has no affect on the amount of balls going into the pocket.

 

[Chris Byrne]

i have never seen a perfect cue, i believe if you look hard enough you can see imperfections on all cues, rembember i'm a jeweler by trade and likewise, theres no such thing as a perfect diamond. under enough magnification theres allways a flaw. i believe the way a cue plays is much more important than the looks. if you are buying a cue for an investment thats one thing, but a playing cue. i'll take a great hit over looks everytime. how pretty a cue is has no affect on the amount of balls going into the pocket.

I agree there is nothing that is perfect. I believe everyone is referring to perfect in the context of, The best they are capable of making. If a cue leaves my shop and I am thinking "I should have done so&so to it before I let it go" Then It was not done right. If a cue leaves and I feel there is not a single thing I could do to make it any better then I consider it done right, And as close to perfect as I am capable of making. Chris B.