What to do with a Unicorn - HRB 18" long?

Chairman

Chairman

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Recently acquired a bit of a unicorn - a beautifully figured piece of Honduran Rosewood Burl - 18.5" x 1.5" x 1.3". Might make a bit of a thinner butt - that's okay.

Really curious what the experts might do with this? All I can think of is widow style so no figure is lost...Any other ideas? What would folks do with trim rings? Wrap (or wrapless)? End cap?

I've made several cues recently out of nice wood blanks, this one just seems a bit beyond "run of the mill", and deserves special treatment...

Really appreciate any thoughts / opinions / insights you all might have!
 

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11.5" for a cored forearm.
3.75" for a sleeve.
The rest can be joint protectors.
Purpleheart handle . With wrap or no wrap.
 
My buddy

Bought a 18 inch piece of Honduran rosewood burl, he decided he did not want to cut it so I added a piece of purpleheart long enough to make the total 29 inches. Put a ring where the 2 pieces met and made the joint ring and butt ring to match. He gets compliments on the beautiful wood and unusual design.
 
Ssonerai said:
Technically not a burl.
It's off one side of a catface or crotch.

smt
Click to expand...

Agreed, not a burl. Look closely at the grain, in two spots it runs from one side and off the other, there is no such thing as quicker runoff. If you drop that piece, there is a good chance it will break along those lines. When it breaks, it will be on those lines.

That is why Joey is also correct, core it.

My opinion, if you're taking the time to make a cue, start with a straighter grain.
 
Last edited:
CuesDirectly said:
Agreed, not a burl. Look closely at the grain, in two spots it runs from one side and off the other, there is no such thing as quicker runoff. If you drop that piece, there is a good chance it will break along those lines. When it breaks, it will be on those lines.

That is why Joey is also correct, core it.

My opinion, if you're taking the time to make a cue, start with a straighter grain.
Click to expand...



As I wrote up the post last night, and looking again at the photos, I questioned the “Burl” myself. Thanks for the clarification to all.

Great suggestion to core - no concerns there from my side (as long as the piece doesn’t fracture along those lines mentioned). So, will see...
 
Chairman said:
As I wrote up the post last night, and looking again at the photos, I questioned the “Burl” myself. Thanks for the clarification to all.

Great suggestion to core - no concerns there from my side (as long as the piece doesn’t fracture along those lines mentioned). So, will see...
Click to expand...

I think it will work out fine if it is cored. Who knows what any wild grain wood may or may not do if dropped on a hard surface.

I have some HRB and have not decided yet in what style cue I want to feature this beautiful wood. Will also have plenty left for cnc points and inlays.
 
Chairman said:
Recently acquired a bit of a unicorn - a beautifully figured piece of Honduran Rosewood Burl - 18.5" x 1.5" x 1.3". Might make a bit of a thinner butt - that's okay.

Really curious what the experts might do with this? All I can think of is widow style so no figure is lost...Any other ideas? What would folks do with trim rings? Wrap (or wrapless)? End cap?

I've made several cues recently out of nice wood blanks, this one just seems a bit beyond "run of the mill", and deserves special treatment...

Really appreciate any thoughts / opinions / insights you all might have!
Click to expand...

1rst, check moisture content, and make sure it's even ready to touch. :cool: If it's not ready, figure out how to store it properly, and do so. ;)
 
Back in the 80's a friend picked up an older nicely made cue with metal joint, piloted, wrap. those old school swirly bakelite trim, etc. It played nice, looked nice, but the wood was from a crotch, like that. He broke with it one day, and it shattered in the forearm section.

Told him i could repair it, and did. Even re-wrapped it.
About a month later, it broke a 1/2" up diagonally from where i had repaired it. I said i can fix it again, might consider putting a dowel in it. He said keep it. Well i had liked how it played, so just glued it up again and cleaned it up to use. I broke it a couple more times myself and gave up. :rolleyes:

It's beautiful wood, but for any sort of strength or stability it needs to be a thin shell over a strong, stable core. I've never cored a cue yet, so stick to straight grain, myself.

smt
 
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