RAT Stack wrap review

Hierovision

Hierovision

Dios mio, man.
Silver Member
A while back I was researching the forums for history on stack wraps and who does a great job. Consistently Tiger was brought up as the highest quality, but another was a close second. "ratcues" was developing a reputation for these wraps, and charges a whole lot less; ratcues: $95, Tiger: $150.

On the 5th Ryan received my cue and we decided on a 75% natural/25% medium brown color pattern for the cue, which he special ordered. By Thursday it was finished and as Friday was reserved for order details and pictures to be taken the cue was sent out on Monday by UPS. Dealing with the employees at Mueller's was a pleasure and every detail of the order executed with efficiency. It arrived the next Monday to my delight... but I had a full business week and wasn't able to take it out until Friday night. I headed out to a buddy's house and played for about 6 or 7 hours straight.

The cue is even more forward balanced than it was before, and feels like it lost about an ounce of weight due to the difference in weight between wood and leather. This is a good thing. The very first rack of 9-ball I broke and ran in about a minute and a half. It felt twice as comfortable with the wrap and different balance point than when it was a wrapless. It's a beautiful player's cue... I can't even call it a hustler anymore.

The wrap itself is VERY tight and extremely good looking. I couldn't be happier with the look and feel of this wrap; it stands out with some serious character and offsets the goncalo alves wood with precision.

Thank you Ryan, and I expect I'll be sending a few more cues out your way as they come in :)

edited to include his correct AZB name
 
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I went into a rave about his quality of work done there sometime ago when I bought my first RAT cue. You have got to see these things to appreciate them. The pics do not do them justice. The freaking price is AWESOME, put it this way, all things being considered, he uses high quality woods, finish and feel is amazing. The same cue, the same weight, the same design, the same woods, with any taper or joint you want done my any other cue maker (Madden for example) want 700$, he does for 200$, you have to check it out. What do you have to lose. Unless you need the designer lable. I did when I was in High School, now I shop at Wal-Mart. LOL (except for my shoes).
 
Ryan does GREAT work!! Post up some pictures.... Search on him and you'll see my thread raving as well... :cool:
 
Hierovision said:
A while back I was researching the forums for history on stack wraps and who does a great job. Consistently Tiger was brought up as the highest quality, but another was a close second. "ratcues" was developing a reputation for these wraps, and charges a whole lot less; ratcues: $95, Tiger: $150.

On the 5th Ryan received my cue and we decided on a 75% natural/25% medium brown color pattern for the cue, which he special ordered. By Thursday it was finished and as Friday was reserved for order details and pictures to be taken the cue was sent out on Monday by UPS. Dealing with the employees at Mueller's was a pleasure and every detail of the order executed with efficiency. It arrived the next Monday to my delight... but I had a full business week and wasn't able to take it out until Friday night. I headed out to a buddy's house and played for about 6 or 7 hours straight.

The cue is even more forward balanced than it was before, and feels like it lost about an ounce of weight due to the difference in weight between wood and leather. This is a good thing. The very first rack of 9-ball I broke and ran in about a minute and a half. It felt twice as comfortable with the wrap and different balance point than when it was a wrapless. It's a beautiful player's cue... I can't even call it a hustler anymore.

The wrap itself is VERY tight and extremely good looking. I couldn't be happier with the look and feel of this wrap; it stands out with some serious character and offsets the goncalo alves wood with precision.

Thank you Ryan, and I expect I'll be sending a few more cues out your way as they come in :)

edited to include his correct AZB name
Click to expand...



What does stack leather feel like? It looks like it's smooth, almost to the point of feeling wrapless. Does it absorb sweat at all? It looks like a spray is applied to it afterwards that will cause the wrap not to absorb any liquid.
 
So Ryan cut the handle in order to install the stack wrap? Did that add to the $95 cost of the wrap.... surely so, how much? Makes sense that the weight would have moved forward.

Glad you like it Zack, show us pics if you can.
 
Jigger said:
So Ryan cut the handle in order to install the stack wrap? Did that add to the $95 cost of the wrap.... surely so, how much? Makes sense that the weight would have moved forward.

Glad you like it Zack, show us pics if you can.
Click to expand...

It's an additional $30 to undercut a wrap channel.
 
Hierovision said:
A while back I was researching the forums for history on stack wraps and who does a great job. Consistently Tiger was brought up as the highest quality, but another was a close second. "ratcues" was developing a reputation for these wraps, and charges a whole lot less; ratcues: $95, Tiger: $150.

On the 5th Ryan received my cue and we decided on a 75% natural/25% medium brown color pattern for the cue, which he special ordered. By Thursday it was finished and as Friday was reserved for order details and pictures to be taken the cue was sent out on Monday by UPS. Dealing with the employees at Mueller's was a pleasure and every detail of the order executed with efficiency. It arrived the next Monday to my delight... but I had a full business week and wasn't able to take it out until Friday night. I headed out to a buddy's house and played for about 6 or 7 hours straight.

The cue is even more forward balanced than it was before, and feels like it lost about an ounce of weight due to the difference in weight between wood and leather. This is a good thing. The very first rack of 9-ball I broke and ran in about a minute and a half. It felt twice as comfortable with the wrap and different balance point than when it was a wrapless. It's a beautiful player's cue... I can't even call it a hustler anymore.

The wrap itself is VERY tight and extremely good looking. I couldn't be happier with the look and feel of this wrap; it stands out with some serious character and offsets the goncalo alves wood with precision.

Thank you Ryan, and I expect I'll be sending a few more cues out your way as they come in :)

edited to include his correct AZB name
Click to expand...

We are aware of only a few out there that are as accomplished as Elia (here at Tiger) with Stack Leather Wraps Finish (his innovation by the way :D ), but from what I have seen in pics, Ryan at Mueller's is one of those folks!

Great Work Ryan!!!

Here are a few others I am aware of that are near that mastery level of Stack Leather Wraps:

Dave Barrenbrugge
Thierry Layani
Dave & Brandon Jacoby
Mike Gulyassy
 
I just got a cue from Ryan, that I'll be posting pics and a review on later. Preliminary review and playing with cue for a few hours, I am VERY impressed with his ability. With his prices and the quality he delivers, Ryan is a hidden treasure among the pool world.

Jim
 
raemondo said:
What does stack leather feel like? It looks like it's smooth, almost to the point of feeling wrapless. Does it absorb sweat at all? It looks like a spray is applied to it afterwards that will cause the wrap not to absorb any liquid.
Click to expand...

It feels like a regular leather wrap except the texture is different. I honestly am having a hard time finding words to properly describe it... It doesn't feel wrapless, that's for sure. It absorbs sweat well... and it's a good thing because my hands sweat a lot while shooting. The finish he applies to the wrap gives it a very very comfortable feel while shooting. No slippage but at the same time it doesn't feel sticky.
 
Hierovision said:
It feels like a regular leather wrap except the texture is different. I honestly am having a hard time finding words to properly describe it... It doesn't feel wrapless, that's for sure. It absorbs sweat well... and it's a good thing because my hands sweat a lot while shooting. The finish he applies to the wrap gives it a very very comfortable feel while shooting. No slippage but at the same time it doesn't feel sticky.
Click to expand...

I think stack is in a class all it's own. It really cannot be accurately compared to leather because it's smoother, firmer, and tacky feeling. It's not wrapless, because it's warm and absorbant.

The feel will change over time. With normal use, in about a year send it back for a polishing. It will be like new again.

Chris
 
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