Schrager joint

N

NathanDetroit

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Was doing some research and ran across an article (LA Times?) from 1988 about Bert Schrager. It noted some prices listed above the counter, and one was "Schrager joint" $50.

The closest I have been to a Schrager cue is looking at a listing in the AZB sale forum. And, I am sure not one that I read ever made note of a special joint.

Anyone here enlighten me. Please
 
Bert Schrager played three cushion billiards at Tiff Payne's room in North Hollywood. The cue everyone used at the time was a Martin which is stiffer than a pool cue and used a large metal screw between the butt and the shaft.

I have a cue with that type of joint and I will find the cue and post a picture in a day or two.

The most interesting thing about Tiff's room is he sold it to an Italian guy that had a trucking business on the East Coast. I do not remember his name but he told me a GREAT story that I will add when I find the cue with a Martin joint.
 
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Not sure if it’s helpful…I picked up a Schrager some time ago and it needed some repair work. I reached out to Paul Drexler - I understood he worked with Bert years back. As soon as I mentioned the cue, he knew it was a Micarta joint big pin. Maybe that’s the “Schrager Joint”?

Great cue - big diameter at the wrap. Plays nice!

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The first picture is a standard 3/8 10 screw that Harvey Martin Bert Schrager used in their cues.

The second picture is a modified 3/8 10 screw that various other cue makers used on their cues.

Jerry Franklin of SouthWest cues used a modified 3/8 11 screw in all of his cues. I will try to find a picture of a SouthWest joint ASAP.

Now the story about the guy who bought North Hollywood Billiards. I do not remember his name and even if I did I am not sure I would use it in my story. When the Italian gentleman retired from his trucking business on the East Coast he wanted to live somewhere with better weather that had a place where he could play Three Cushion Billiards.

While sitting with the new owner we started telling each other pool stories. After a while he started to tell me how hard the trucking business is everywhere and especially where he was located on the East Coast. To be more competitive and have an advantage over the competition he started buying airplanes to offer faster deliveries almost anywhere in the U.S.

With the infrastructure in place he turned his talent to acquiring new customers. He started talking about how hard it was to land a major account. While meeting with the owner of a major supplier, when he saw he that had not yet convinced the owner used his company he asked,

"What do I have to do to get your business?".

The owner said, "I like the new Jag".

He replied, "What color?".


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I'm not a cue builder but decent to close friends with 4 top builders and 1 most would consider average over the years. The average builder was Harry Sims who won 1 of his National Championships with the cue he built for himself.
The closest friend behind Harry was Dennis Dieckman. He apprenticed with Bert Schrager. Harry Sims also apprenticed with Schrager.

If my history/memory is correct, Bert Schrager apprenticed with Harvey Martin.

Dennis told me early in our relationship that he "rings" his cues. Hold the cue at around the joint and knock it with your knuckle or something and listen how long it resonates holding it close to your ear. If they don't ring, they may end up in the fire, or re-purposed. Maybe a walking stick or fancy fish net handle.

These pictured cues ring like crazy. I'm sure its not just the joint and more about selecting the best pieces of wood. The joint design is simply one that is closest to resembling No Joint. Top Snooker Players still carry One Piece cues. Hmmm

There's an AZ thread asking about shaft taper. Pro, Modified Pro and something else.

These carom cues pictured are not conical. The Martin is dated 1968. Don't know the Schrager Build Date but will guess mid-late 90's.

This thread encouraged me to play with them. Of course I picked the Martin. Even though its not my weight 19.5oz, after about 10 mins, I was having fun.

Same taper with the Schrager and my Dieckman's

Dennis thought this taper could become the Carom Standard.

He thought a lot of things.
t.
 
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I have two early Schrager cues that have two different pins. I had called Bert about it and he told me that early on when he first started building cues, his brother in law had a trophy shop that he would raid for cue parts and that was the likely source of the odd pin on the cue I have!
 
thepavlos said:
I have two early Schrager cues that have two different pins. I had called Bert about it and he told me that early on when he first started building cues, his brother in law had a trophy shop that he would raid for cue parts and that was the likely source of the odd pin on the cue I have!
Click to expand...
Wondered if in those day whether he or even Harvey made their own pins?
Have to believe they did. Maybe some exceptions like yours.
 
brunswick1901 said:
The first picture is a standard 3/8 10 screw that Harvey Martin Bert Schrager used in their cues.

The second picture is a modified 3/8 10 screw that various other cue makers used on their cues.

Jerry Franklin of SouthWest cues used a modified 3/8 10 screw in all of his cues. I will try to find a picture of a SouthWest joint ASAP.

Now the story about the guy who bought North Hollywood Billiards. I do not remember his name and even if I did I am not sure I would use it in my story. When the Italian gentleman retired from his trucking business on the East Coast he wanted to live somewhere with better weather that had a place where he could play Three Cushion Billiards.

While sitting with the new owner we started telling each other pool stories. After a while he started to tell me how hard the trucking business is everywhere and especially where he was located on the East Coast. To be more competitive and have an advantage over the competition he started buying airplanes to offer faster deliveries almost anywhere in the U.S.

With the infrastructure in place he turned his talent to acquiring new customers. He started talking about how hard it was to land a major account. While meeting with the owner of a major supplier, when he saw he that had not yet convinced the owner used his company he asked,

"What do I have to do to get your business?".

The owner said, "I like the new Jag".

He replied, "What color?".


.
Click to expand...
SW's use a 3/8x11 pin
 
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