my first butterfly cues in progress

[stix4saleBHQ]

holly forearm and buttsleeve with 3 veneers and redheart
bolivian rosewood handle
ivorine 4 joint and buttcap
pictured with sealer only on cue
spraying finsih this week
butterflies on front are dead nuts even, buttsleeve, off by an 1/8th inch

cue is not sold as of yet
$400 with one shaft







this cue is along the lines of dennis dieckman's style of cues that he taught me how to make last time i was at his shop
except, i did two long and two short points on this cue
and yes, I KNOW, the points are not even
if that matters
this cue is sold to a friend, i think




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[RichR]

I don't want to be too critical. Your work is very good.
However, if you ever want to be a top cue maker, with a top notch reputation, you really shouldn't let anything go out of your shop that isn't perfect, regardless if it is going to a friend or not. The cues with small mistakes will come back to bite you sooner or later.
I don't come to this opinion on my own, as I don't make cues. I have been told this same thing by several top name cue makers.
Just a little friendly advise. Take it or not. It is up to you.

[stix4saleBHQ]

i appreciate what you're saying
i will say this, that even dennis dieckmans cues that sell for 5 times what mine do,
are not perfect as far as the butterflies being even

i've asked dennis about that, his response was, that he is not a perfect cuemaker
also talked with dave brarenbrugge recently about acheiving the perfection of getting points even
dave said it's about the machinery used and the ability to repeat it consistantly
daves cues are $3000 up to $13,000, as far as i know

in short, it's the difference between a $12,000 milling machine versus a $300 table saw and $500 edge sander
believe me, if i had an extra $12k laying around, i'd opt for the mill
but, realistically, i know that isn't going to happen anytime soon
i'll have to do the best i can with what i have to work with
if someone wants one of my cues for the playability, that's great
if they want one because they expect perfection, then they have to go elsewhere and pay the big bucks

[BoisdeRosie]

The Native Americans believed that there is nothing perfect, save for the gods. It is why they would purposefully make a mistake in their decorative patterns such as that found on their clothing and blankets. It is also why you will never find a perfectly straight tree in nature, so it was said. It is why there is no such thing as the perfect diamond....everything has a flaw, no matter how minute.

To have perfection is to be divine.

[stix4saleBHQ]

Originally Posted by BoisdeRosie

The Native Americans believed that there is nothing perfect, save for the gods. It is why they would purposefully make a mistake in their decorative patterns such as that found on their clothing and blankets. It is also why you will never find a perfectly straight tree in nature, so it was said. It is why there is no such thing as the perfect diamond....everything has a flaw, no matter how minute.

To have perfection is to be divine.

i wish i could say i'm not perfect on purpose lisa ,
i'm not native american
just american lol

[BoisdeRosie]

Originally Posted by stix4saleBHQ

i wish i could say i'm not perfect on purpose lisa ,
i'm not native american
just american lol

I am beginning to realize that perfection may well be over-rated...and is way too much pressure for one to put on one's self.

The cues look great....keep up the good work!

[desi2960]

i have been building cues for about 6 years. the only people i have found that critize other peoples work, are people that cannot build or design anything. they cannot build anything, so it seems to me, in an attempt to feel better about ther own shortcomings, they try to find a flaw in someone else's work. i have been playing pool for an excess of 55 years and i have never seen or heard of a perfect cue. all cues have flaws in them if you just look close enough. dont pay any attention to people with only negatIve thoughts. keep building good hitting cues, just try to do better next time. thats my opinion. chuck starkey

[stix4saleBHQ]

Originally Posted by desi2960

i have been building cues for about 6 years. the only people i have found that critize other peoples work, are people that cannot build or design anything. they cannot build anything, so it seems to me, in an attempt to feel better about ther own shortcomings, they try to find a flaw in someone else's work. i have been playing pool for an excess of 55 years and i have never seen or heard of a perfect cue. all cues have flaws in them if you just look close enough. dont pay any attention to people with only negatIve thoughts. keep building good hitting cues, just try to do better next time. thats my opinion. chuck starkey

thank you chuck
appreciate the nod