What's so special about Ebony?

Flex

Banger
Silver Member
What's so special about Ebony?

Is it rare?

Does it have special qualities that make it especially good for use as a butt?

Is it any "better" than cocobolo for use in a full-splice butt?

Is it inherently stable?

Why should I want it in a cue?

Thanks,

Flex
 
It's reallllly black (gaboon ) and goes well with ivory and silver.
It's just a pain to work with.
 
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its the blackest wood availible without dying or using phenolic. good tones good looks and its very consistant. my favorite wood
 
Flex said:
What's so special about Ebony?

Is it rare?

Does it have special qualities that make it especially good for use as a butt?

Is it any "better" than cocobolo for use in a full-splice butt?

Is it inherently stable?

Why should I want it in a cue?

Thanks,

Flex

Its not rare!!!

It is a very dense wood, which polishes to a beautiful shine, and is very stable. It's major down fall since it is so dense is it is also very heavy, which makes it very difficult to build a cue under 19 oz unless it is cored.

It is no better or worst than Cocobolo in Full Splice Butts, however, it is more expensive than Cocobolo.

It is very inherently stable like I said above, however, the most stable wood that is frequently used for cues is Purple Heart.

No one can tell you why you would want a cue with it or without it, it is a personal preference and nothing more.
 
what's special about it is that it is black.some pieces are truly totally black.the solid black stuff is hard to get.i think Ebony makes great wood for cues and it is great for naturally balancing cues.it is very dense and strong and relatively stable,making nice forearms.i don't think it is better than Cocobolo necissarily,but it is blacker.
 
JoeyInCali said:
THe pure black gaboons might become extinct someday.

I had a full-splice cue made of ebony very recently.

Had been told it's hit was superior to coco.

"Hit" for me, in this case, has to do with resonance, or sound of the "ping" of the butt.

Very subjective, I acknowledge.

As for the sound of the butt, versus coco, it's somewhat "lower" or "duller"...

It's darker than coco, that goes without saying. Not as beautiful either.

Actually, it's rather "dull" as a wood.

If one wants a "black" wood, it's pretty good, no doubt.

Now that I have my cue, I'm already wishing I had ordered it with a Hoppe ring, and other stuff to spruce it up.

Seems like I paid a premium for a wood that is not as desirable as cocobolo...

What say ye?

Flex
 
JoeyInCali said:
THe pure black gaboons might become extinct someday.

Nah Joey, they have a Gaboons colony of the coast of Africa. In that colony they raise little baby Gaboons and transplant in secret places around the world where they grow to become adult Gaboons some day.

This is a very secret operation some I can not tell anyone who these people are!!!!!!!!

But, I can certainly say the Gaboons are safe!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:thumbup:
 
Ebony is great if it is solid black. I am not a big fan of the brown or light streaks, but solid shiny black is beautiful.

I do believe one of the reasons that ebony was used so much by the old Masters (Szam, Bushka, etc.) for points and butt sleeves was that is was great for inlays. You can hide a multitude of sins with black dye in your epoxy or glue. Before CNC I am sure this was much more important.

Troy
 
masonh said:
i only know a couple places with the true black and they want $50 a stick for it.

At Gilmers I can go in and hand pick solid black 1 1/2" sq x 18" to 24" pieces for $22-$28. Well atleast I could before I posted this.

Troy
 
i'll take 10 please:D

i have bought Ebony from them before and it was very nice,but not true black.i mean so black it looks like phenolic.
 
manwon said:
Nah Joey, they have a Gaboons colony of the coast of Africa. In that colony they raise little baby Gaboons and transplant in secret places around the world where they grow to become adult Gaboons some day.

This is a very secret operation some I can not tell anyone who these people are!!!!!!!!

But, I can certainly say the Gaboons are safe!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:thumbup:
Great!
Maybe they can raise some white tails too whose antlers have no marrow.:thumbup:
 
masonh said:
i'll take 10 please:D

i have bought Ebony from them before and it was very nice,but not true black.i mean so black it looks like phenolic.

Yes, I agree. When I have gone through stacks that look all black, there are a lot that have dark brown streaks. But it sure is nice to find exactly the right pieces of any wood, and know what you buying before you pay. I have definitely been burned ordering on ebay and others.
 
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