wrapless cues?

dukeboy1977

dukeboy1977

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
The more cues I see from different makers, the more I notice a pattern. Nobody seems to make very many wrapless cues, the majority I have seen have wraps of some sort. I'm sure it's harder to make a wood handle fit into alot of designs I have seen, but wouldn't it cut down on cuemaker costs a little bit? They wouldn't have to cut the area used for a wrap, & they wouldn't need the irish linen or leather, or whatever else they chose to use. It would, however, take a little more clearcoat in the finishing stages. I'm sure there aren't as many people out there who prefer wrapless cues over wrapped ones, but in my experience, the grip area is easier to get ahold of and it won't slide as much in your hand...Not to mention the wrap getting dirty over time. Does anybody else here share my feelings on this? I think it's a VERY argue-able point that should be addressed. Opinions are wanted :D :thumbup:
 
My shooter is wrapless but the grip area is thuya burl... and I have a ring in the midpoint of the grip area... so there's extra cost associated with the wood and the additional ring, which is made of bloodstone and nickel silver set in black phenolic. I would imagine mine would be a cost addition by comparison to a standard linen wrap. Here's a pic of my shooter...

 
Wrapless cues

IMHO, the only advantage to a wrapped cue is the ability to use less expensive wood in the handle. Since it will be covered by the wrap, you don't need to use a highly figured piece of wood.

I personally prefer the feel of a wrapless cue.
 
Wraps-

dukeboy1977 said:
The more cues I see from different makers, the more I notice a pattern. Nobody seems to make very many wrapless cues, the majority I have seen have wraps of some sort. I'm sure it's harder to make a wood handle fit into alot of designs I have seen, but wouldn't it cut down on cuemaker costs a little bit? They wouldn't have to cut the area used for a wrap, & they wouldn't need the irish linen or leather, or whatever else they chose to use. It would, however, take a little more clearcoat in the finishing stages. I'm sure there aren't as many people out there who prefer wrapless cues over wrapped ones, but in my experience, the grip area is easier to get ahold of and it won't slide as much in your hand...Not to mention the wrap getting dirty over time. Does anybody else here share my feelings on this? I think it's a VERY argue-able point that should be addressed. Opinions are wanted :D :thumbup:
Click to expand...

I think there are at least a couple of new cuemakers that make mostly wrapless cues, such as Eric Crisp and Mason H. I have only seen one Sugartree cue with a wrap and I know Mason has only made a few wrapped cues.

I personally cannot play with an wrapless cue, as they stick to my hand too much. I have a light grip and like the cue to slide a little when I stroke-
 
I also prefer wrapless cues. Feels better and looks better, IMHO.

My_Cue_Aug_2006_01.jpg

My_Cue_2_july_2008_01.jpg
 
cigardave said:
My shooter is wrapless but the grip area is thuya burl... and I have a ring in the midpoint of the grip area... so there's extra cost associated with the wood and the additional ring, which is made of bloodstone and nickel silver set in black phenolic. I would imagine mine would be a cost addition by comparison to a standard linen wrap. Here's a pic of my shooter...

Click to expand...
Wow that thing is warped!!!!

Just kidding I know it's the pic.

Sweet looking cue.

BVal
 
Wrapped cues generally have less expensive wood under the wrap, so in reality it's cheaper. Linen is cheap, leather is kinda cheap, exotic leather is expensive. But I don't think it's really about cost. It's about the builder's style & preference. Then it's the players who choose a cue with wrap or no wrap. I am happy it goes both ways because it's that much more versatility. But to compare wrap to wrapless, it's something the individual player should consider because of comfort & playability for them, not cost of building materials. I have never heard a builder say he won't build a wrapless cue because he's too cheap to use expensive wood where a linen wrap would be cheaper. It's preference, not cost.
 
qbilder said:
Wrapped cues generally have less expensive wood under the wrap, so in reality it's cheaper. Linen is cheap, leather is kinda cheap, exotic leather is expensive. But I don't think it's really about cost. It's about the builder's style & preference. Then it's the players who choose a cue with wrap or no wrap. I am happy it goes both ways because it's that much more versatility. But to compare wrap to wrapless, it's something the individual player should consider because of comfort & playability for them, not cost of building materials. I have never heard a builder say he won't build a wrapless cue because he's too cheap to use expensive wood where a linen wrap would be cheaper. It's preference, not cost.
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Well said! BTW how far are you from Taos?

BVal
 
Wrapless vs linen or leather wraps

I own 3 cues and 2 of my cues have a wrap and the other cue is wrapless and all 3 cues are 5/16x14 piloted joints. I can use the same predator or OB-1 shaft on all three cues so my choice is which butt I want to use. They are all the same weight and I usually play with the wrapless cue.

James
 
It's not so much that I prefer wrapless, I just have no use for a wrap. I have a 76" wing span and never use the wrap. But as time progressed I started liking the look of cues without the wrap. Mike Erwin (hope I spelled right) puts a wrap on his cues and clear coats over them. The wrap did/does have some function for me. The base of the wrap gave a good position point for my index finger. When I first started using wrapless it was tough to get used to "knowing where i was gripping".

Some times there something about a cue that grabs you.
Below is a picture of a cue that I hope Keith Hanssen makes again (and I hope I have the funds to buy)

KeithKue.jpg


And here is the Keith Kue I won in a AZ raffle.

MynewKeith.jpg
 
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i prefer wrapless also. I have a matching set, Player, J/B by BHQ. also i have a Eason wrapless 60". And i have another 60'" wrapless on order. My Meucci isnt wrapless, but its clearcoated over almost like wrapless. i like the feel and most important the great look of the wood instead of some ole thread looking stuff or dead animal skins. But to each his own, i've seen some very lovely cues both ways.
 
ccn7 said:
i prefer wrapless also. I have a matching set, Player, J/B by BHQ. also i have a Eason wrapless 60". And i have another 60'" wrapless on order. My Meucci isnt wrapless, but its clearcoated over almost like wrapless. i like the feel and most important the great look of the wood instead of some ole thread looking stuff or dead animal skins. But to each his own, i've seen some very lovely cues both ways.
Click to expand...


Wow where were you when I was trying to sell my 60" wrapless Josey Ebony SP.
 
One more thing to consider: if a wrap is used, the cuemaker can use a lighter weight wood in the handle portion to keep the weight down, or use that part of the cue to do many different things to the weight. A wrapless cue is usually using only the nicest pieces of maple or some exotic hardwood that has weight to it. If they need to adjust the weight in the handle to match the cue they would have to core it that would add cost to the material and labor.

Just a thought,

Dave
 
2.jpg

this is a terbrock cue I had made. He actually makes most of his cues this style. Hits great imo.
 
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qbilder said:
Wrapped cues generally have less expensive wood under the wrap, so in reality it's cheaper. Linen is cheap, leather is kinda cheap, exotic leather is expensive. But I don't think it's really about cost. It's about the builder's style & preference. Then it's the players who choose a cue with wrap or no wrap. I am happy it goes both ways because it's that much more versatility. But to compare wrap to wrapless, it's something the individual player should consider because of comfort & playability for them, not cost of building materials. I have never heard a builder say he won't build a wrapless cue because he's too cheap to use expensive wood where a linen wrap would be cheaper. It's preference, not cost.
Click to expand...

I had a cue from certain well known cue maker (not Eric) that I bought in secondary market. It had a slight warpage. I sent it to the cue maker who determined that the handle had to be changed .. for $100 plus refinish cost (reasonable enough).

I asked for leather wrap on the cue and it was another $100. I asked how much to get a wrapless handle instead and it was also $100 (same as getting a leather wrap).

It was no brainer .. the cue came back straight as an arrow with nice maple handle and refinished.
 
gobrian77 said:
I like a cue to be purty as well as a fine player- to me, nothing looks better than a wrapless cue:

Gilbert07amboynacomposite.jpg
Click to expand...

I have to agree. Not having sweaty hands, the only purpose I see in a wrap is to cover up an otherwise beautiful piece of work.
 
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