Uknown Orchid?
- Thread starter SlashingAxe
- Start date
It is a brand that I may have used more than one manufacturer but I am certain that some if not most or all of their cues are/were the same manufacturer as the Mizerak (Dove logo)/Cobra/Competition/Lishan/etc cues. Made in China.
Most of them are not so great quality, in fact they can be pretty poor, but some are pretty good, on par with makers like Adam.
Most of them are not so great quality, in fact they can be pretty poor, but some are pretty good, on par with makers like Adam.
I had a very nice 4pt Ebony fluorescent green veneered Orchid USA cue that was allegedly produced in the 90's prior to dropping the USA and going to China. Never could really confirm USA origin, but looked 90's vintage to me.
The unique Orchid cue was very nicely made with a 5/16x14 SS joint green spec wrap. Bought it for $100. Wish I would have kept it for the $150 or so I let it go for. Cool older cue.
Similar to the 'Dove' / 'Cobra cues' I have come by but those were 5/16x18 's and not as well built and as nice for sure. This was not a cheap cue when first sold. Seller told me he paid $250 in the mid 90's = like $600 today probably with cues.
-Kat,
The unique Orchid cue was very nicely made with a 5/16x14 SS joint green spec wrap. Bought it for $100. Wish I would have kept it for the $150 or so I let it go for. Cool older cue.
Similar to the 'Dove' / 'Cobra cues' I have come by but those were 5/16x18 's and not as well built and as nice for sure. This was not a cheap cue when first sold. Seller told me he paid $250 in the mid 90's = like $600 today probably with cues.
-Kat,
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Nice cue. Yes, that was one of the better ones. Probably better than a lot of people would think.
The Steve Mizerak Professional Series cues were actually pretty decent. The top of the line sold for $599 believe it or not and I have one on the way. An SM-7. Yes, they had the Dove logo, but were better cues than most with that logo. I have a few examples.
18 thread Dove logo cues? Yup, lots of them. 14 thread? Only the better ones, Professional Series. Not many around. And lastly, believe it or not there are Mizerak Professional Series cues that were made with Uniloc joints. I have yet to get one with a Uniloc but I saw one once.
The Cobra Professional Series were also decent. I just posted one in the cue gallery actually. http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=418596 I also have a few examples of these.
The modern permutations of these cues are Sierra cues. I actually have two of these with the Cobra logo on them and the Slyfoxx logo on them, the two top ones: http://www.budgetcues.com/sierra.htm Slyfoxx was run by the son of the guy that started Cobra Cues and the Mizerak "Dove" cues, Harold J. Miller. The son, David Miller, started Slyfoxx and Axiom cues as well as being involved in Competition cues. Three years ago I spoke to somebody that worked with them. Sadly Harold is dead so a lot of this history went with him. Mizerak was a family friend of theirs.
Finally, I actually have an Orchid as well. Real points with real veneers, real inlays. Decent shaft. Shoots just fine.
I have heard several times that they were once made in the US and that the Orchid USA logo was from that time. I have yet to find real evidence of that though and at this point I believe they were all imports.
The Steve Mizerak Professional Series cues were actually pretty decent. The top of the line sold for $599 believe it or not and I have one on the way. An SM-7. Yes, they had the Dove logo, but were better cues than most with that logo. I have a few examples.
18 thread Dove logo cues? Yup, lots of them. 14 thread? Only the better ones, Professional Series. Not many around. And lastly, believe it or not there are Mizerak Professional Series cues that were made with Uniloc joints. I have yet to get one with a Uniloc but I saw one once.
The Cobra Professional Series were also decent. I just posted one in the cue gallery actually. http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=418596 I also have a few examples of these.
The modern permutations of these cues are Sierra cues. I actually have two of these with the Cobra logo on them and the Slyfoxx logo on them, the two top ones: http://www.budgetcues.com/sierra.htm Slyfoxx was run by the son of the guy that started Cobra Cues and the Mizerak "Dove" cues, Harold J. Miller. The son, David Miller, started Slyfoxx and Axiom cues as well as being involved in Competition cues. Three years ago I spoke to somebody that worked with them. Sadly Harold is dead so a lot of this history went with him. Mizerak was a family friend of theirs.
Finally, I actually have an Orchid as well. Real points with real veneers, real inlays. Decent shaft. Shoots just fine.
I have heard several times that they were once made in the US and that the Orchid USA logo was from that time. I have yet to find real evidence of that though and at this point I believe they were all imports.
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Yes Chop I enjoy your interest and understanding of the Cues from days past and pleased you returned. I knew about Harold and his Son with the Miz Dove. Think they were produced in the same factory as Cobra in Taiwan.
This cue I snagged a few months ago is interesting. Been on lookout for one for sometime. Think you know about these and their 3/8 x 11 brass pins and alleged SW controversy. I understand some early models were produced in Canada in initial Predator factory. Looks smart, plays well.
-Kat,
This cue I snagged a few months ago is interesting. Been on lookout for one for sometime. Think you know about these and their 3/8 x 11 brass pins and alleged SW controversy. I understand some early models were produced in Canada in initial Predator factory. Looks smart, plays well.
-Kat,
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Here it just says they were an importer. There are still Orchid cues in fact. But I am not sure if they are currently being imported.
https://bluebookofpoolcuevalues.com/Pool_Cue_Values/Pool_Cue_Manufacturer.aspx?id=ORCHID_USA
By the way, several have sold recently on Ebay. One example, not a very nice one, went for $75.
Another one, just like the one posted by Dave-Kat but with a leather wrap, was sold with a couple of old Meucci Original cues. All the cues and the case sold for sub $500. Not sure what the buyer felt the Orchid was worth but it looked to be in very nice condition.
One of the Orchid cues that sold recently was actually a decal cue. It did sell, but cheap.
The beat up cue that started this thread probably wouldn't draw much though.
https://bluebookofpoolcuevalues.com/Pool_Cue_Values/Pool_Cue_Manufacturer.aspx?id=ORCHID_USA
By the way, several have sold recently on Ebay. One example, not a very nice one, went for $75.
Another one, just like the one posted by Dave-Kat but with a leather wrap, was sold with a couple of old Meucci Original cues. All the cues and the case sold for sub $500. Not sure what the buyer felt the Orchid was worth but it looked to be in very nice condition.
One of the Orchid cues that sold recently was actually a decal cue. It did sell, but cheap.
The beat up cue that started this thread probably wouldn't draw much though.
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Cool. I still don't have one of those. I remember looking at them around 1989 at Saunier Wilhelm in Pittsburgh.
I have heard they played well but had some warping problems. There seemed to be a lot of controversy around the brand.
.
The main thing I remember was shaft warpage.
I wouldn't mind having one. Never tried one, only saw them.
Quite a shame isn't worth much but was kind of expecting that but I do like the look of it it looks old something quite different from newer cues today
You might get something for it on Ebay as-is. Might seem crazy, but you could. Probably in the $10-$30 range. More if somebody really likes it. You never know, somebody might be looking for one.
If it has sentimental value you could have it refinished. Essentially it would cost more than it is worth but would cost like buying a new production cue.You could throw a modern LD shaft on it if you like too.
Crazier things have been done.
If it has sentimental value you could have it refinished. Essentially it would cost more than it is worth but would cost like buying a new production cue.You could throw a modern LD shaft on it if you like too.
Crazier things have been done.
Orchid USA
I picked up an Orchid USA marked cue yesterday. Never heard of them before. I was picking up an older set of Gold Crown Centennials (for $40!) that were in excellent condition and the guy offered to throw in the cue with hard case and a box of chalk for another $10. Linen wrap is not of the quality of some of my other cues, but it is in nice condition and straight as can be. Will make a nice house cue.
I picked up an Orchid USA marked cue yesterday. Never heard of them before. I was picking up an older set of Gold Crown Centennials (for $40!) that were in excellent condition and the guy offered to throw in the cue with hard case and a box of chalk for another $10. Linen wrap is not of the quality of some of my other cues, but it is in nice condition and straight as can be. Will make a nice house cue.
