Guess it makes more sense to post this here in thise section....
I've been spending some time recently talking to a LOT of cuemakers. About their craft, their goals, and the business aspects of cue making. I have to say that I've gained tremendous respect for their obsession. I can't say it's just a business or just a hobby because it goes beyond that. If it were just about the money we would only have mass produced cues to choose from. If it were just a hobby we would only have a few cues to fight over. No, it's definitely a crazy obsession that drives the cuemaker to do what they do.
I've learned that cuemakers don't just make cues...
They are machinests with intimate knowledge of lathes, calipers, saws, TONS of drills and drill bits, CNC, etc...
They are wood geeks! How many types of Birdseye Maple is there? A,AA, AAA, A++++, Museum grade! How about Ebony, Blackwoods, African, Asian, South American, North American, and on and on.
They are engineers, artists, designers, business men, buyers, importers, exporters.
They are constant mentors, and apprentices. Always learning and keeping a keen eye on what's happening within their field. Most can tell you the current market for a type of wood. Most can tell you the best place to get it at this moment. If they haven't already stored it away for future use. Oh yeah, they are pack rats too! And they often do all this while taking care of a family.
How long did it take to learn how to put on a perfect finish on a cue? Only to have that whole technique replaced by something new and improved on the market. How long did you wait for a beautiful piece of wood to cure only to have it warp? How long did it take to save up to buy a new chuck? How many emails and phone calls did you answer about a cue you were really proud of... but had to sell it at cost because of a soft economy? How good of a pool player could you have been if you had the time to play like you used to?
Remember the day when you got your first lathe? Your first smell of sawdust? Glued your first veneers? Bought your first batch of wood that confirmed your first step on this endless journey? Held the first cue you ever made? How cool was that day???
To the players: The next time you're holding a beautiful cue in your hands.. please take a moment to think beyond it's aesthetic beauty. Think about the journey that had to be taken to get it their. The obsession and dedication to be a master of a craft with endless creative possibilites. The countless hours spent learning how to do everything just right.
To the cuemakers: For what it's worth... thank you.
Please keep doing what you do because it is greatly appreciated.
I've been spending some time recently talking to a LOT of cuemakers. About their craft, their goals, and the business aspects of cue making. I have to say that I've gained tremendous respect for their obsession. I can't say it's just a business or just a hobby because it goes beyond that. If it were just about the money we would only have mass produced cues to choose from. If it were just a hobby we would only have a few cues to fight over. No, it's definitely a crazy obsession that drives the cuemaker to do what they do.
I've learned that cuemakers don't just make cues...
They are machinests with intimate knowledge of lathes, calipers, saws, TONS of drills and drill bits, CNC, etc...
They are wood geeks! How many types of Birdseye Maple is there? A,AA, AAA, A++++, Museum grade! How about Ebony, Blackwoods, African, Asian, South American, North American, and on and on.
They are engineers, artists, designers, business men, buyers, importers, exporters.
They are constant mentors, and apprentices. Always learning and keeping a keen eye on what's happening within their field. Most can tell you the current market for a type of wood. Most can tell you the best place to get it at this moment. If they haven't already stored it away for future use. Oh yeah, they are pack rats too! And they often do all this while taking care of a family.
How long did it take to learn how to put on a perfect finish on a cue? Only to have that whole technique replaced by something new and improved on the market. How long did you wait for a beautiful piece of wood to cure only to have it warp? How long did it take to save up to buy a new chuck? How many emails and phone calls did you answer about a cue you were really proud of... but had to sell it at cost because of a soft economy? How good of a pool player could you have been if you had the time to play like you used to?
Remember the day when you got your first lathe? Your first smell of sawdust? Glued your first veneers? Bought your first batch of wood that confirmed your first step on this endless journey? Held the first cue you ever made? How cool was that day???
To the players: The next time you're holding a beautiful cue in your hands.. please take a moment to think beyond it's aesthetic beauty. Think about the journey that had to be taken to get it their. The obsession and dedication to be a master of a craft with endless creative possibilites. The countless hours spent learning how to do everything just right.
To the cuemakers: For what it's worth... thank you.
Please keep doing what you do because it is greatly appreciated.
Seriosly, very cool. Now if only everybody else could understand this then maybe we wouldn't get nickle & dimed to death like used car salesmen.
I aggree, You should be writing greeting cards, articles or something. Not everyone can pick up on everything You did in that post. Even some of the people that live It, but It really rings home, has that warm familiar tone, and was Very well said. It takes a special talent to look through a window like You did, and see that clearly through the glass.:smile: 
