Richard Black cues

[clerks37]

So I have been a fan of his cues for a long time, and I figured he would have a waiting list. So last December I sent him an email about a cue. I wanted a 1 of 1 and Egyptian themed. RB was very quick to reply (same day) and within a week we had a cue setup. He asked colors I liked and different things like that. I knew the basic idea of the cue, but he wouldn't let me see any progress of it until I got the cue in my hands.

I ordered this cue at the end of Dec, and into Jan. He completed the cue and I had it in my hands at the start of March. He was very quick. I was anticipating a couple of years to get a cue from him to be honest.

So a couple of things to note.

1 - I love how the cue hits. I had never hit with a cue with an ivory joint, and was amazed at how solid the cue in general hit. I play with a custom Jacoby, and they were like night and day comparing them. I honestly want to sell all my Jacoby stuff because of the RB cue.

2 - When I got the cue he didn't sign it. I reached out to him and he said he wasn't signing the cues anymore because with his age he was shaking too much. So instead he is now putting his logo on the joints.

3 - The only problem I had with mine when I got it was the shaft and the butt didn't line up 100%. I shipped it back to him and he fixed it. Other than that everything was beautiful. I saw no glue problems. The 4 veneers didn't match up at the points exactly even, but I expected that for a hand crafted cue.

4 - This wasn't one of his production line cues. It was a 1:1 and I could tell he put time into it. There are two sphinx at the bottom that he hand carved into it. He wanted it to look authentic to what the Egyptians carved in the cave walls. He even carved in King Tut at the bottom of all the points. In addition he made me a custom joint protector of King Tut which I wasn't expecting.

He did charge a lot for the cue (I paid right at $4000 but did come with a case), but I always wanted a custom cue from him designed for me. He named the cue "Tut"

Just a background - I am not Egyptian I just love gambling at the Luxor in Las Vegas. My car is called Luxor, and I wanted a custom cue to go with my car. Just wanted to clarify that.

Anyways here are some pics of the cue.

 

[tduncan]

Nice cue. But how does someone who can't stay still enough to sign their name put inlays in a cue or even make a cue anymore?

 

[tattoo]

Nice cue. But how does someone who can't stay still enough to sign their name put inlays in a cue or even make a cue anymore?

My guess is by machines and tools...

 

[clerks37]

Nice cue. But how does someone who can't stay still enough to sign their name put inlays in a cue or even make a cue anymore?

I don't know. That's just what he told me.

 

[jasonlaus]

So I have been a fan of his cues for a long time, and I figured he would have a waiting list. So last December I sent him an email about a cue. I wanted a 1 of 1 and Egyptian themed. RB was very quick to reply (same day) and within a week we had a cue setup. He asked colors I liked and different things like that. I knew the basic idea of the cue, but he wouldn't let me see any progress of it until I got the cue in my hands.

I ordered this cue at the end of Dec, and into Jan. He completed the cue and I had it in my hands at the start of March. He was very quick. I was anticipating a couple of years to get a cue from him to be honest.

So a couple of things to note.

1 - I love how the cue hits. I had never hit with a cue with an ivory joint, and was amazed at how solid the cue in general hit. I play with a custom Jacoby, and they were like night and day comparing them. I honestly want to sell all my Jacoby stuff because of the RB cue.

2 - When I got the cue he didn't sign it. I reached out to him and he said he wasn't signing the cues anymore because with his age he was shaking too much. So instead he is now putting his logo on the joints.

3 - The only problem I had with mine when I got it was the shaft and the butt didn't line up 100%. I shipped it back to him and he fixed it. Other than that everything was beautiful. I saw no glue problems. The 4 veneers didn't match up at the points exactly even, but I expected that for a hand crafted cue.

4 - This wasn't one of his production line cues. It was a 1:1 and I could tell he put time into it. There are two sphinx at the bottom that he hand carved into it. He wanted it to look authentic to what the Egyptians carved in the cave walls. He even carved in King Tut at the bottom of all the points. In addition he made me a custom joint protector of King Tut which I wasn't expecting.

He did charge a lot for the cue (I paid right at $4000 but did come with a case), but I always wanted a custom cue from him designed for me. He named the cue "Tut"

Just a background - I am not Egyptian I just love gambling at the Luxor in Las Vegas. My car is called Luxor, and I wanted a custom cue to go with my car. Just wanted to clarify that.

Anyways here are some pics of the cue.

There are plenty of examples of what I was talking about in this cue. All cue makers are not equal. On a side note: I'm glad you're happy with it though, definitely unique and one of a kind. Congrats
Jason

 

[The Captain]

So I have been a fan of his cues for a long time, and I figured he would have a waiting list. So last December I sent him an email about a cue. I wanted a 1 of 1 and Egyptian themed. RB was very quick to reply (same day) and within a week we had a cue setup. He asked colors I liked and different things like that. I knew the basic idea of the cue, but he wouldn't let me see any progress of it until I got the cue in my hands.

I ordered this cue at the end of Dec, and into Jan. He completed the cue and I had it in my hands at the start of March. He was very quick. I was anticipating a couple of years to get a cue from him to be honest.

So a couple of things to note.

1 - I love how the cue hits. I had never hit with a cue with an ivory joint, and was amazed at how solid the cue in general hit. I play with a custom Jacoby, and they were like night and day comparing them. I honestly want to sell all my Jacoby stuff because of the RB cue.

2 - When I got the cue he didn't sign it. I reached out to him and he said he wasn't signing the cues anymore because with his age he was shaking too much. So instead he is now putting his logo on the joints.

3 - The only problem I had with mine when I got it was the shaft and the butt didn't line up 100%. I shipped it back to him and he fixed it. Other than that everything was beautiful. I saw no glue problems. The 4 veneers didn't match up at the points exactly even, but I expected that for a hand crafted cue.

4 - This wasn't one of his production line cues. It was a 1:1 and I could tell he put time into it. There are two sphinx at the bottom that he hand carved into it. He wanted it to look authentic to what the Egyptians carved in the cave walls. He even carved in King Tut at the bottom of all the points. In addition he made me a custom joint protector of King Tut which I wasn't expecting.

He did charge a lot for the cue (I paid right at $4000 but did come with a case), but I always wanted a custom cue from him designed for me. He named the cue "Tut"

Just a background - I am not Egyptian I just love gambling at the Luxor in Las Vegas. My car is called Luxor, and I wanted a custom cue to go with my car. Just wanted to clarify that.

Anyways here are some pics of the cue.

That is indeed a very nice custom design! You love the way it plays and looks.... That's what's important. However, I would be a little concerned about the bleeding from the collars into the shaft wood???? I have a DZ coming first of the year... NEVER seen anything like that from any of his cues.

 

[jasonlaus]

That is indeed a very nice custom design! You love the way it plays and looks.... That's what's important. However, I would be a little concerned about the bleeding from the collars into the shaft wood???? I have a DZ coming first of the year... NEVER seen anything like that from any of his cues.

Really? Fairly standard from ol Richard. How Bout the inlays in the points being completely off center, or the points not being even, or the silver in the ringwork having gaps and just looking bad period?
Jason

 

[higercue]

can not imagine the work done with a trembling hand, even can not sign on a cue should be out of the cue maker list!

 

[rhinobywilhite]

I think he should build until He's ready to quit, not because someone finds faults in the product. The market will decide if his cues sell. When you can build a cue at his level, step up and say so. Perhaps you could contact Richard and make a wager on building a cue-his against yours.

 

[ibuycues]

I could give a shit less! Just stating facts. Buy all his cues you want, as a matter of fact you can buy the 3 I have, I won't feel the least bit bad selling you or the other guy these pieces of crap.
to the other poster, it is not a fake.
Jason

It's tough to sell cues without pictures, specs, etc, but of course you know this already.

For everyone else, let me say Richard Black is one of the most innovative Cuemakers in history, and has sold tons of cues in the $10k+ range. Some of his highest end cues can boggle the mind. :grin:

Will

 

[billy]

I think the best cue I ever had was the 4-point I had Richard make me back in 1978. I bought a Casino model cue from him in 1981 that IMHO didn't play as well as the 4-point. It was made well, but different hit.

In edit, it looked almost exactly like the simple 4-pointer Scruggs in Billiardbill's post below. My wrap was white/green speck...I'm not sure if that is what is on the Scruggs, but my points had blue and silver too.

I bought a 1978 as well but maybe 15 years ago. Have authentication letter from Mr Black because he didn't sign his cues at the beginning. 4 points, original condition, hits really well. After 37 years still rolls straight together and apart, two shafts


I've always admired his work thru the decades
My 1978, I agree - it's great cue

 

[jasonlaus]

It's tough to sell cues without pictures, specs, etc, but of course you know this already.

For everyone else, let me say Richard Black is one of the most innovative Cuemakers in history, and has sold tons of cues in the $10k+ range. Some of his highest end cues can boggle the mind. :grin:

Will

This is 100% true. Great work and lousy work. Makes you wonder what's going on???
Jason

 

[ibuycues]

This is 100% true. Great work and lousy work. Makes you wonder what's going on???
Jason

Sorry Jason. I hope you didn't misinterpret my comments.
I am a big fan of Richard Black cues, and will state again he is recognized world wide for his innovation and cue expertise.
Some of his high end creations are without peer.

I would really like to see some pictures of your Black cues. Maybe you could get some pictures and post.

By the way, why did you buy several Black cues? Did you say you own 3 of them?
You must have really liked them at some time.

 

[jasonlaus]

Sorry Jason. I hope you didn't misinterpret my comments.
I am a big fan of Richard Black cues, and will state again he is recognized world wide for his innovation and cue expertise.
Some of his high end creations are without peer.

I would really like to see some pictures of your Black cues. Maybe you could get some pictures and post.

By the way, why did you buy severalBlack cues? Did you say you own 3 of them?
You must have really liked them at some time.

Have had them ~25years. And again, 2 are 700 miles away and one is 1,000 miles away.
If you want proof, have a look at the cue recently posted in this thread, gaps everywhere, inlays off center, silver looks terrible, and what's up with the joint collars?

I know what kind of collection you have, and I'm really surprised you can back that kind of craftsmanship?
I agree Richard makes some of the most amazing looking creative cues out there, but he also makes some real dogs.

 

[9Ballr]

If you want proof, have a look at the cue recently posted in this thread, gaps everywhere, inlays off center, silver looks terrible, and what's up with the joint collars?

If you are referring to the cue in this post:
http://forums.azbilliards.com//showpost.php?p=5189427&postcount=34

Other than the mismatched decoration in the joint (which is understandable seeing as how the cue was old and Richard probably did not have any of the exact copy as all that time had passed) I would also like to know what you see wrong with the rest of it.

 

[jasonlaus]

If you are referring to the cue in this post:
http://forums.azbilliards.com//showpost.php?p=5189427&postcount=34

Other than the mismatched decoration in the joint (which is understandable seeing as how the cue was old and Richard probably did not have any of the exact copy as all that time had passed) I would also like to know what you see wrong with the rest of it.

I'm referring to the cue above, but another good example of cappy work.
Also meant to say shaft collars on cue above - not the "joint" collar.

If you can't see issues, there's no helping you
Sorry

 

[flyvirginiaguy]

If you are referring to the cue in this post:
http://forums.azbilliards.com//showpost.php?p=5189427&postcount=34

Other than the mismatched decoration in the joint (which is understandable seeing as how the cue was old and Richard probably did not have any of the exact copy as all that time had passed) I would also like to know what you see wrong with the rest of it.

Yeah, there is not much excuse for that one. It is not like the OP of that pic bought it second hand from someone who Richard might have told at one time he did not have the exact material etc... and the customer went on to say make it anyways. Going by the OP, he was never told or given that option.

However, Richard does make some great cues as well (all I have seen in person).

 

[WildWing]

I am a big fan of Richard Black cues, and will state again he is recognized world wide for his innovation and cue expertise.
Some of his high end creations are without peer.

Agree, Will. This is a pretty interesting thread, and some constants do stand out.

One, even my own pictures of a Black cue will seem to show the point inlay a bit high. That's camera distortion, I can assure. It's not evident in person. It happens with a lot of pictures around here, though a few seem to get a pass on it. I can point out some pretty high ends that have that anomaly as well.

Agree with you on the high quality of Richard Black cues, and he largely built them in the era when the cuemaker depended on his hands and eyes to line up inlays. That also includes Tim Scruggs, most of my collection, rest his soul. Even today, I can take some of my older 70s, 80s, and 90s cues, including Black, and see that with a micrometer and plumb line, some of the inlays might not line up to the ten-thousandth of an inch. That's a factor of cue-making in the era when CNC/CAD did not exist. There may some variation, but it's pretty minor. And these cues are excellent craftsmanship overall.

I mentioned constants above. There is another constant. Some on the board who denigrate cues of certain makers are constant in one thing. They never have any pictures of their own cues to post. It's something we're used to. After awhile, it gets tiring to argue, so we shouldn't worry about it.

All the best,
WW