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Are you looking for a new pool cue? If yes, you might consider buying a cheap one instead of spending thousands of dollars on a high-end model. But custom cues are diligently handcrafted by the manufacturer and thus cost over $1000.
When choosing the right cue for the game of pool, there are many things that you have to keep in mind. The first thing is your budget and how much money you can spend. You also need to know what type of game you play, whether 9-ball or snooker.
It is essential to choose a good quality pool cue because if you buy a cheap one, chances are that you will be disappointed with its performance.
Let’s find out if expensive pool cues are worth buying!
Important factors that determine the Quality of Pool cue
When choosing a pool cue, there are several vital aspects to consider. The main ones are the butt, shaft, tip, and ferrule.
· The shaft is the central portion of the cue that holds all of the weight.
These three parts are what determine the overall balance of the cue. The shaft should be made out of wood, especially maple. Maple is a softwood and will absorb less shock when hit.
· The tip is the end of the cue that hits the cue ball.
The cue tip should also be made out of hardwoods like mahogany or ebony. Hardwoods are harder than softwoods and will last longer.
· The ferrule is the area around the tip that keeps the cue together.
Finally, the ferrule should be made of carbon fiber, plastic, or rubber. Rubber ferrules are cheaper than plastic ferrules but are prone to cracking. Plastic ferrules are more robust and last longer but are more expensive. However, most of the ferrules are made from carbon fiber.
Other Important Factors to Consider
All of these aspects play a role in the overall feel of your cue, so take your time and choose wisely!
1. Low Deflection Shaft
Many pool players today are divided about the issue of low deflections versus standard shafts. Some say that low deflection shafts are unnecessary because they cause less vibration, while others think they are an excellent improvement for the game. However, regardless of your opinion, it is likely that your cue will be constructed out of hard rock maple, the favorite for shafting.
Most modern cues are made from solid wood, and many players prefer the feel of wooden cues compared to plastic ones. Many professional pool players also prefer hard rock maple due to its strength and durability. If you’ve played pool with a standard shaft before, you might need to adjust your technique when using a low deflection shaft.
You’ll probably notice that the ball bounces higher and farther away from the pocket, making it harder to hit. On the other hand, if you’ve never played with a low deflection shaft, you might enjoy the extra distance and power it gives you.
LD shafts are becoming increasingly popular among pros. Low Deflection Shafts (LD) are designed to give players more feedback and help them improve their cue mechanics. Some claim that LD shafts can also improve your game.
However, many pros still prefer regular shafts because they feel comfortable. It is important to try both types of shafts before deciding what works best for you. You may even want to get a few sets of each type of shaft and practice with them until you find what works best for you!
Low-Deflection cues are designed to reduce deflection during play. These cues are made out of materials like aluminum and titanium. They also come with low-deflection tips. The lower the deflection, the easier it is to hit the ball.
2. Ferrules and Tips
Tips are usually made from leather, though sometimes synthetic materials are used. Different types of tips will give different results. For example, a softer tip will not hold its shape as well, making it harder to get a consistent shot. Harder tips are better at holding their shape but may require more force to break. Some players prefer to use harder tips when playing break shots, while others prefer softer ones.
High-end cues come with high-quality leather tips. These tips are made to last, and they’re often made to match the cue’s color. If you’ve ever played a game with a cheap plastic tip, you’ll know what I’m talking about. Cheap tips will crack and warp after just a few games.
High-end cues typically cost anywhere from $80 to $200 per cue, depending on the manufacturer. But the tips themselves can cost upwards of $30 each. So if you buy a top-of-the-line cue, you might pay $180 for the cue and $60 for the tip. That’s $240 total! You could spend $120 on a decent replacement tip instead.
3. Butt, Wrap, and Forearm
. While a pool cue is essential for accuracy and consistency, its appearance is just as important. The front of the cue is where we see the shaft and tip, while the back of the cue is where the forearm and butt come together.
Most inexpensive cues aren’t beautiful, but the best ones can be stunningly beautiful. Cheap cues tend to be made out of plastic or different types of wood, but the best ones are made with exotic woods like ebony, rosewood, mahogany, maple, and teak. Some of the most expensive cues are made entirely from precious metals, including gold, silver, platinum, and palladium.
The most expensive cues are also usually one-of-a-kind, meaning there isn’t another exactly like it anywhere else. Collectors love them because they’re unique and rare, and well-known artists or famous makers often make them.
4. Inlay or Overlay
Overlays are made of plastic, rubber, fiberglass, or metal. They are usually glued onto the cue butt and forearm. Inlays are carved out of the wood of the cue. It is done by hand and is very expensive.
Many inlays include cobalt, blue denim, Asian Coral, pearls, colored urethanes, Turquoise, and blue denim! Some exotic inlay materials are turquoise, blue jeans, pink Asian coral, and sapphire blue.
5. Wood
Cue shafts are usually made out of hard rock maple. For cue butt stocks, there are many different kinds of wood available. These woods range from exotic tropical woods like zebrawood, African Blackwood, coco-bolo, snakewood, bokote, and African Blackwood to more mundane woods like black ash, black maple, Purple Heart, bloodwood, and even white oak.
All of these woods are beautiful and unique. Some woods are treated differently than others. For example, bloodwood is often stained dark brown. The grain, color, and treatment of the wood also play an essential role in the overall appearance of the cue.
6. Wrap Materials
Often cheaper pool cues will be wrapped with nylon. For mid-range cues, the go-to working material is usually Irish linen. When buying a cue online, you’ll see many different colors, especially if you’re looking at a higher-end cue. For mid-range cues, the favorite material is usually leather.
Some other options available for leather: lizard leather, elephant skin leather, gator leather, chocolate leather, textured leather, snake leather, taupe leather, and black leather.
Are expensive Cues worth investing in?
Pool cues are expensive because they are made out of quality materials. You’re not getting a good deal when you buy a cheap pool cue. It might cost less money, but it won’t last as long. Quality means durability. Good quality cues will last longer than cheaper ones.
The additions to the pool cues all make enormous changes and variations in how the pool cue functions. Whether it’s worth the cost to buy it or not is a valid question. The level of craftsmanship involved in creating each of these works of art proves that they are well worth the price. In addition to the quality of the work, there’s an additional factor of the quality of the cue stick and the feeling of the stick you will get.
Cheap vs. expensive cues are the difference between an Armani shirt or a t-shirt purchased from Goodwill. Both will accomplish the task, but the higher-end one is more comfortable, looks more appealing, is more efficient, and will earn you more money since you can play more effectively. Each component of the cue for the pool is crucial to maintaining efficiency. However, their appearance is an issue of creativity too.
It is evident why this simple instrument is so expensive when manufactured with high-end specifications. The tips of the cue stick, along with the construction of the shaft and ferrule presence and activation, are essential in transferring energy throughout long lengths of the cue. A poorly designed shaft or tip can cause cracking or warping inside the cue stick at the worst possible time.
Most Expensive Pool Cues in the Market:
Here are the top most expensive pool cues:
The Intimidator Masterpiece Cue – $150,000.00 – Most Expensive Cue Stick
There are many different types of cues out there, but this one is unique and unforgettable. It is made of solid stainless steel. It is a very heavy cue, weighing almost 9.5 pounds. It took 1,972 hours to create this masterpiece. It has a genuine Italian obsidian gemstone sphere at its base. The total length of the cue is 63 inches. The two small blades are 13 inches long, and the large blades are 48 inches long. The wingspan of each blade is nine inches.
Balabushka Cues SLE2 B – $1,399
This cue is the fifth most expensive cue in the world because it is a limited edition production. It is named after George Balabushka, one of the most influential and respected cue makers who ever lived and whose name lives on in the Balabushka company. He began his career making cues in 1921 at 16 when he started working for a local shop called “Balabushka & Co.”
After starting his shop in 1927, he became famous for producing affordable, high-quality cues for many players. His first significant success came in 1935 when he won the World Championship. From there, he continued to win significant tournaments throughout his career. He died in 1976, but his legacy lives on through the Balabushka Company, which continues to produce top-quality cues.
McDermott Pool Cue M29B
The McDermott M29B is an excellent choice for any player looking for a quality pool stick. This premium pool cue is made in America from a beautiful birdseye maple wood handle and brass rings. Its 6 cocobolo/White Urethane Points, 5 sets of Turquoise & White Urethane Sleeves, Turquoise, Cocobolo & White Urethane Web with No Wrap Handle, and an i-2 Shaft allow you to play your game with ease. The Cue Plays Firmly, and Solid Hits and Weight Changes Can Be Adjusted in Increments Of Ounces.
J. Pechauer Camelot II CAM12-Manchester – $2,200.00
This cue is a beautiful piece of furniture that will last you for years. It comes with a lifetime warranty and is built using quality materials. It is made of solid hardwoods that are carefully selected to ensure that they are durable and long-lasting. It is a premium mix of ebony and leopard wood with impressive inlays of ivory and simulated pearls, adding to its aesthetics.
With its 13 mm Shaft and a matching inlay. It comes with a pro-style taper of 12.5 inches. You will get the medium emerald layered cue tip.
Conclusion:
Knowing what type of pool cues you need before buying them is essential. If you are new to the game or have been playing for some time, it would be best to buy an inexpensive set of pool cues. However, if you want to invest in a good set of pool cues, then go for the ones mentioned above. They are all excellent choices and offer great value