Thinking about switching to a leather wrap

[CeaseLess]

So I'm thinking about switching my Jacoby wrap to a solid leather wrap, maybe a Spanish bull, but I'm open to downy ideas. How does everyone feel about leather wraps? Is there other leathers you prefer (ostrich, lizard, elephant, shark)?

 

[hang-the-9]

I like stacked leather, bit more durable and can be installed very smoothly to the cue. Has a lot of color options.
Lizard also, has a pretty good texture to it with a bit more of high-end look. Really depends on what the cue looks like for what you would want to match it with.

 

[Bavafongoul]

Go to Superior Cues or Castillo Leather for a great array of leather wraps. Superior has a huge selection.

 

[Bavafongoul]

If you go with elephant leather, make sure it belly leather and not ear leather.
There’s a big difference as I have each on two of my cues. Ask for Martin
at Superior and of course, Gil at Castillo Leather. Spanish Bull is excellent.

 

[eddieindetroit]

I’m an unwrapped cue fan.
Like 25yrs. now.
I sometimes have a “slip stroke.” Sort of a borderline. Not every shot.

I have noticed that many stronger players use unwrapped pool cues.

How do you guys make a good looking matching leather wrap more tackier?

I inherited a nice Joss cue recently. The linen wrap was to slick. (for myself) The cue has much sentimental value though. I applied/rubbed light candles wax onto its linen with success.

So say I like “looks” of a cue with the leather wrap. How do I make that leather tackier in the hand?

Or just stick with an unwrapped cue?
Have a good time with it?
I use a plain sneaker pete anyway. 25 years.
I’m contemplating going heavier for the first time.
I’m a 18-19oz. guy my whole life. I’m probably going 20-21oz.

 

[slide13]

I used to think I only liked linen wraps. I don't mind wrapless for my break cue but I always preferred a wrap, and specifically a linen wrap, for my play cue. I like the reference of the transition from butt sleeve to wrap and use that as a guide in my rear hand positioning.

I ordered a custom cue with a linen wrap and it was great and I loved it. But then a cue from that same maker came up that was the same base design (ebony points into maple w/ double green veneers) and built in the same year as my custom ordered cue. My theory is that both forearms where built at the same time, possibly as a backup to my custom order in case something happened during the build or possibly just for efficiencies sake. Either way, once I saw it I had to have it and thankfully it was for sale used. But it had a textured pebble grain leather wrap. I decided to go for it anyway and it quickly became my favorite playing cue ever and I've grown to absolutely love the pebble grain leather wrap.

This was not my first experience with leather, I've tried smooth leather and lizard grain leather before and neither worked for me. They were okay, but the smooth leather felt slippery if my hand was sweaty and just a little odd...the lizard was similar. But this kinda matte finish pebble grain on my playing cue has been the most comfortable feeling wrap I've ever used and I now prefer it over my linen. It's been my main playing cue for over 5 years now.

So my advice, find a good quality pebble grain leather and go for it.

 

[buckshotshoey]

It might not be as durable, but I've heard praise of cork wrap. It's been used on fishing pole grips for what... a hundred and fifty years? I wouldn't mind trying cork once.

 

[YukonCornelius]

I really like stacked leather its has a unique look and feel. I also like the luxurious feel of Spanish bull. Would love to this Downey DCC043 with a natural cork wrap. https://www.muellers.com/Downey-Custom-Cue---DCC043,1824.html?b=d*6247

 

[eastcoast_chris]

I switch the wrap on my cue from linen to black leather wrap about 13 years ago. Has worked perfectly and shows zero signs of wear after 10 thousand games or so.

I did it because there was something wrong with the glue in my linen wrap, such that it got sticky when in a warm environment. And it was a dirty white/green.

 

[muskyed]

While I like leather wrap cues more than linen wrap, I like no wrap best. My preferance in leather wraps is the less textured ones. I have a Schon and a DZ in leather and I like them a lot.

 

[Das Cue-Boot]

It sounds like you are wanting to do this yourself. If so, I would highly recommend that you go to cuesmith.com and order a couple of leather practice blanks. These are seconds, have holes, discoloration, sales returns or other flaws, but they only sell for $4 each. Well worth screwing one of them up before trying to use a more expensive piece. They have a pretty good selection of wraps to look at as well.

 

[hang-the-9]

It might not be as durable, but I've heard praise of cork wrap. It's been used on fishing pole grips for what... a hundred and fifty years? I wouldn't mind trying cork once.

Once you try cork you'll never go back

 

[northdakotafats]

It might not be as durable, but I've heard praise of cork wrap. It's been used on fishing pole grips for what... a hundred and fifty years? I wouldn't mind trying cork once.

I've had a cork wrap for several years now and love it. Still looks brand new but I would agree they are not durable. I'm pretty good to my cues.

 

[lfigueroa]

If you go with elephant leather, make sure it belly leather and not ear leather.
There’s a big difference as I have each on two of my cues. Ask for Martin
at Superior and of course, Gil at Castillo Leather. Spanish Bull is excellent.

I have elephant ear on both my Ginas -- feels great and wears like iron.

Lou Figueroa