Yes, well, sarcasm aside......every time I see something challenging regarding these cues there has been a straightforward answer.
Maybe somebody that shoots with a Cognoscenti won't even actually be entertaining the notion of one of these cues. I don't know.
What I do know is that the majority of people shooting with such "custom" cues didn't actually get those cues custom made for them, so I question whether they should even be called "custom" on many occasions. But I am already noted to have strange views about the whole terminology anyway.
I also know that Mr Prulhiere has been put under a microscope here on numerous occasions and each time has come through. We are still waiting to hear how the issue of the original review comes out though. I am waiting to see that myself.
Mr Prulhiere is delivering custom ordered cues at a price certainly designed to get his foot in the door. As I see it, his foot is in the door.
I saw the glue lines early on and thought perhaps that would be a challenging point when things got rolling. That's where we are.
This is how I see it: Names and reputations don't make cues. This cue maker is self taught and definitely is offering something different. His cues have a look to them that is unique and identifying. His choices of woods is artistic. He may or may not have some of the finer points down but certainly as far as I have seen he is sincere and forthright so far, which is a lot more than I can say about some. He has also latched onto the cork wrap as not only an identifying feature but also as a performance feature that he believes in. His taper is different than anybody else as far as I have seen, he follows no-one in that regard. He claims the foundation research was in part early McDermotts, which are legendary for their hit and playability. In fact, many are touting "wood-to wood with a big pin" when McDermott has been doing it for decades. His cues are CORED. Enough said on that point. At the price he is offering, show me another fully cored cue. Wood to wood, big pin, stiff taper, fully cored cue......really?
I joined this forum believe it or not in part because of what I read when he first posted here. It was a lively discussion. Don't believe that pocket billiards began with AZ billiards and that it ends here. There are those who have been around a pool hall or two without having registered here and those that know a thing or two without having registered here. He's new, I get it. So am I......yet I have played people that are legends now and were champions then. And oh....they don't post here. :wink:
Times are hard, not everybody can drop cash on a cue right now, and cue makers aren't getting rich. We have an American craftsman here offering one helluva bargain. Some have taken a shot, some can't, some are apprehensive, some don't really care because it's not the right name. So far the reviews and comments are generally positive and when there has been an issue he has met it with calm reason. I am not saying his work is perfect, we do in fact need to know more and need to know if the original reviewer in this thread meets with satisfaction. But at what point are people going to stop eyeing Mr Prulhiere with such downright suspicion?
