Once you play with a leather cue you will never play with linen again............Just my opinion. Plus I think the black leather goes on this cue like they were made for each other. About 10 or more years ago a guy that runs a pool room here had the exact cue and I have wanted it since..............he ended up selling it when he got a SW ......he had 3 or 4 shafts all with Ivory and the leather wrap.......but I didn't have the 1000 or around there that he wanted for it. BUT NOW I GOT ME A NEW ONE!