where's the wood ?

[POCKETWOLF]

I was curious as to why more american hardwoods aren't used? In particular ; black walnut, red oak,birch, etc.... Are they not good turning woods, do they warp too easily, are they too heavy/light? Not being a cuemaker, I don't have the answers, but I like the color and wood patterning of the above mentioned, and I've seen them used musical instruments. Seems like a shame not to see these woods used if they are viable options.

 

[KJ Cues]

I have seen cues made from each of the mentioned examples. I don't know that there would be anything about them that would detract from the hit or playability of the cue so I guess I'd have to say that they are just a little too common, a little too 'plain-jane'.

The one wood that you left out of your examples is one that we use quite a bit; hard maple. It's hard to find a cue that doesn't incorporate hard maple as most all shafts are made from maple (there are rare exceptions). Birdseye maple, curly maple, straight grain sugar maple and even maple burl are all American hardwoods. The one common thread of the maple examples is a variable degree of figuring and most cues are bought for their looks alone. The proof of that is that most cues anymore are bought on the internet and not face to face. I'd be very surprised to learn otherwise.

 

[POCKETWOLF]

I agree with some of what you are saying, but don't you think a red oak forearm with black walnut points would look sharp? I also left out maples for a reason, they're everywhere!!! I agree that there are some nice figured maples out there, but maybe they start to all blend together after a while. I think because the other woods I have mentioned are " too common", they are being under utilized. As you said, you don't see a lot of those woods used. Maybe some gums or buckeyes, just something a step left of the norm that doesn't have to come from some "exotic" country. I wish I had the knowledge and the equipment, I might be onto something here.... If anyone takes this and runs with it---YOU OWE ME MONEY!!!! Just kidding. thanks KJ

 

[BLACKHEARTCUES]

If I said why arn't more car bumpers made of Aluminum? It it a great metal, shinny as chrome steel & cheaper...........Because the materials we use are the BEST to build a pool cue. Oak has good looking grain that has DEEP pores. These pores are hard to fill with a clear finish & it realy isn't that heavy. There are a lot of good woods out there American & other, but they just don't lend themselves to pool cues even though they make great furniture...JER

 

[rayjay]

Flame Birch, by Paul Drexler:

 

[cuemaker03]

Samsara used to use some of those woods. You sould ask them why they stopped.

 

[Mase]

I was curious as to why more american hardwoods aren't used? In particular ; black walnut, red oak,birch, etc.... Are they not good turning woods, do they warp too easily, are they too heavy/light? Not being a cuemaker, I don't have the answers, but I like the color and wood patterning of the above mentioned, and I've seen them used musical instruments. Seems like a shame not to see these woods used if they are viable options.

Here is a cue I made years ago out of walnut. It plays great.

 

[cueman]

I was curious as to why more american hardwoods aren't used? In particular ; black walnut, red oak,birch, etc.... Are they not good turning woods, do they warp too easily, are they too heavy/light? Not being a cuemaker, I don't have the answers, but I like the color and wood patterning of the above mentioned, and I've seen them used musical instruments. Seems like a shame not to see these woods used if they are viable options.

Black Walnut is prone to splitting. And the imported Rosewoods are usually considered prettier to most people. So I would say it is mainly that the Rosewoods have made Walnut lose popularity in cues. It was used alot 100 years ago in cues. Oak is harder to finish and is not all that pretty. Birch is light weight and not all that pretty either. Actually Birch makes it into more pool cues than you might think, but it is almost always in the form of veneers. A huge percentage of your colored veneers made in the USA are birch.

 

[woodyosborne]

walnut splits so easily

not that cueman needs anyone to back him up but years ago i used some walnut for firewood and it split so easily it amazed me! touch it with a sharp edge and that was just about all it took.

 

[cuemaker03]

I have seen walnut for inlays. It seems very good for that function.