Modern Technology & Cue Design

Since the advent of the cue stick in the 19th century, craftsmen have been decorating cues. Splicing woods together was one of the earliest techniques to create unique designs. Soon thereafter, the craft of marquetry used thin cut-out layers of wood to fabricate scenes or adornments. Cues made in 19th-century Europe featured both spliced woods and marquetry. During the 20th century, inlay technology became a mainstay in cue design. Early inlay consisted of using a drill press to cut round holes in the cue, which would have been filled with materials that were cut round on a lathe. Motivations for decorating cues include artistic expression, and pushing technical boundaries to usher in new eras of design capabilities. Ultimately a cue's design, both technically and artistically, is meant to appeal to players in an effort to drive sales. One of the most challenging obstacles throughout history has been to deliver an impressive design for an affordable price. Luckily, recent advancements in technology, adhesives and non-traditional design techniques have allowed cuemakers to build fantastic looking cues for a fraction of what it would have cost a decade ago.


A computer-generated drawing and final inlaid detail shows the intricate design of cuemaker Thomas Wayne's "P1 Sung Dragon." Smaller than a silver dollar, this detail took 60 hours to complete. The same design could be printed onto a decal and would take just several minutes to install.

How a cue feels in a player's hands and how well it performs should be the two most important factors when choosing a cue. Over the last 50 years, the industry has made incredible advancements. Today there is an industry-wide understanding about what makes a cue perform well. Such variables include the consistency of the raw materials, adhesives which hold everything together, machining tolerances, shaft and butt taper, and the strength of the joint. Of course the tip and ferrule arguably contribute much of what players feels most when hitting a ball. Thanks to decades of research and development, great-hitting cue sticks are available at every price point. World Champions like Allison Fisher have been at the top of the sport while using stock production cues that retail for less than $500.00. Alternatively there are players with $5,000.00-plus cues that have trouble running a single rack of 9-ball. Despite an abundance of opinions to the contrary, a great-hitting cue stick can be found at any price point.

Consumers often wonder what the difference is between a $100.00 cue and a $1,000.00-plus cue. Eric Weber of Cue Stix International, a manufacturer/distributor that represents dozens of cue brands, explains that "the amount of work in a cue, and the types of materials used, drives up the price." The cost differential is directly related to design aesthetics, raw materials and the amount of labor needed to build a cue. Material costs can vary dramatically depending on a cue maker's vision for a cue. Maple is one of the most common woods used on cues because of its durability and aesthetically pleasing appearance. Inside the maple family there are several species that demand different prices. Straight-grained maple is the simplest and least expensive while birdseye and curly maple are more exotic looking and demand much higher wholesale prices. Endangered and restricted species, including cocobolo, Madagascar ebony and Brazilian rosewood, will naturally have a higher cost basis. Precious metals, precious and semi-precious stones and ivory also drive up the price of higher-end custom and production cues.

"Ultimately," said Weber, "the cost of a cue comes down to a matter of degrees in these areas: performance features, number of inlays, component value, design complexity, labor time and skill. More of any of these qualities equals a higher price."


Cue costs are based largely on the intricacy of design and value of components. Cue & Case's "Rawhyde" brand (top) features laser etching, which, if inlaid by hand, would dramatically increase the price of the cue. CueStix's Katana line (bottom) features dozens of inlays and more expensive components, setting it into a higher price point category.

Economics plays an obvious role in consumer behavior, and the Great Recession had a profound impact on cue industry. Weber observes that, "After the recession, the $500-plus market really got hit in a remarkable way. But in recent years that category has begun to come back."

Players seeking affordable, yet strikingly beautiful cues have seen an explosion of options since the recession. Long-established technologies in other industries have found their way to cue making. Laser etching, graphic decals and overlays, and ultra-violet finishes have dramatically reduced the hours of labor needed to design and build a cue. Laser etching has been around for decades, but has rarely been used in cue design until recently. The technique starts with a graphic design that is literally burned into wood or other materials with impressive accuracy. Intricate designs that would be nearly impossible to create using inlays can easily be transferred to cues. Lasers can etch a cue in a fraction of the time it would take to create a simple inlay pattern. Jacksonville, Fla.-based Cue & Case Sales is a large manufacturer/distributor with products ranging from inexpensive production cues to higher-end brands. Vice President of Sales Wes Bond noted that "our entire Rawhyde brand utilizes laser etching to create the designs." If inlaid by hand, many of the designs would cost thousands of dollars; the laser etched cues retail for $199.00. One of the drawbacks to laser etching is the monochromatic nature of the designs.


Craftsmen in the 19th century often used spliced woods and marquetry to fabricate elaborate scenes and adornments on cues.

Players who prefer more colorful designs are well served with decals, overlays or traditional inlays. Decals and overlays are similar in that they are both a thin film that adheres to the surface material of the cue. A decal is a shape or flourish which mimics an inlay or engraving. A decal can be printed to look like wood, plastic, ivory, precious materials or virtually anything. Decals are normally stamped out of a sheet of film and applied in place of an inlay. Pay attention to how accurately decals are placed if considering a decaled cue. Poorly attached decals may be crooked. Overlays are used to cover larger surface areas. Often the overlays take the form of a sleeve that is applied over the entire butt section. Interesting designs that trick the eye are achievable. The cue pictured appears to have 20-30 pink inlays placed into a black butt sleeve. Bond explains that "the entire butt is that pink material and the black is a simple overlay that creates the illusion of inlays." The use of overlays has been steadily increasing. Cue Stix's Weber reveals that, "The overlay transfer-decal is one of the biggest changes in the industry in the last 20 years."

Collectors and traditionalists still prefer hand-inlaid cues. Chicago-area player and collector Tim Lilek believes that a decal should only be used for a maker's mark or a signature. Custom cuemakers tend to despise decals and overlays, preferring instead to execute hand-inlaid designs. CNC technology has automated cutting inlay pockets and parts for many cuemakers. However the actual inlay process can still add tens of labor-hours to even basic designs. Before the recession there was a vibrant community of collectors. Since that time the market has changed, and consumers are demanding more design for less money. Cuemakers who want to be successful are changing with the times. Jim Stadum of Samsara Cues is in a unique position, as his company produces both production cues and high-end custom cues. Stadum has seen a shift in the market and is adjusting his production accordingly in order to stay relevant. Production and custom cuemakers are exploring ideas and designs to make their brand appealing to consumers. Cue & Case employs a number of designers who, according to Wes Bond, "draw inspiration from the golf and tennis industries, tattoos and skateboard companies - even the X-Games crowd." Personal tastes and trends in design make it challenging to know what to design. Weber considers it "almost like fashion or art. One person's art is another person's garbage."

Knowing that a fine playing cue can be procured at any price point, design and materials are the primary price drivers to consider today. Hand inlaid cues will always cost more to produce and purchase. There is no guarantee, however, of retained value unless the cue has intrinsic value such as precious metals or is made by a notable cuemaker. Mass produced cues offer more design for the money, but fall short on some traditional cue-making processes. There is no right or wrong when choosing a cue. If you love a cue's design and it feels good in your hand when you hit a ball, that cue is the right choice for you no matter the price point.

2016 Cue Showcase (DOWNLOAD PDF)

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