The actually price of handmade cues selling in UK

[andersen147]

Greetings, I’m a snooker fan from China. I bought my first UK handmade cue few months ago, it’s a John Parris Special cue and feels so good. I’m looking for another UK handmade cue for my friend from China e-commerce app like TaoBao etc, but I notice that the prices of UK handmade cues have been raising in the past months. For example, JP special is now around 2000 Pound, Exquisite Cues green plate is now around 1600 Pound. I’m wandering the actual price of these cues in UK, can someone let me know. Cheers, really appreciated.

[DeanH]

on the JP website, a plain Special starts from just over £1000.

[andersen147]

Thank you mate. What a huge profit for selling cues in China…

[andersen147]

Thank you mate. What a huge profit for selling cues in China…

[andersen147]

and normally for how long it takes to make an Ultimate cue at JP? 7 years?

[Cue crafty]

This is the biggest part of the problem with well known UK cue makers, actually getting one made!! Stamford cues series 1, orders books closed for about 2 years now, Mike Wooldridge...does he even touch a new cue these days!?!, Raymond Cohen, retired I think other than the odd dabble, Robert Osborne, retired, Dave Couts, same I believe, Trevor White....well good luck there...!

Younger cue makers like Gavin Mengham (G cues) who was I think from the Wooldridge stable as apprentice and Ian Curruthers looks to be making some good cues, he worked for Johnny Carr not that I see that as a plus, but his work looks very tidy from what I've seen. Better lead times and prices as they aren't as well known, but I think these guys struggle to earn a living from cue making alone.

Once the Thai gate thing happened and many makers realised it was more profitable and easier work to buy bulk Thai cues and refinish and badge them up with their own brand, only fools and horses work... 😉

[itsnoteasy]

Is Jim Butters still making cues?

[Cue crafty]

Is Jim Butters still making cues?

Funny thing, I sold a pair of large spiroloc joints on eBay recently and a James Butters in Scotland purchased them from me, I really wanted to ask if it was he, but didn't... If it was him and he still makes cues, I think it's very low key for pals & friends etc not as a business as such. He has a FB page but he's not exactly hard selling cues. https://www.facebook.com/james.butters.965/

[ken147]

Not UK based but Sabetta cues from Italy make fantastic cues with a reasonable lead time. Bought a Pro series a few years back and it took around 5 months to make. Fantastic cue.

[Cue crafty]

and normally for how long it takes to make an Ultimate cue at JP? 7 years?

I have two guys I know that waited 5 years and this is going back a few years ago now, so could well have risen to a 7 year wait these days. Others may know more accurately.

[akofb]

Younger cue makers like Gavin Mengham (G cues) who was I think from the Wooldridge stable as apprentice and Ian Curruthers looks to be making some good cues, he worked for Johnny Carr not that I see that as a plus, but his work looks very tidy from what I've seen. Better lead times and prices as they aren't as well known, but I think these guys struggle to earn a living from cue making alone.

Do JC or the cues not have a very good reputation crafty? I'd not see one before last night but I got given one for retipping at work and it looks and feels like a great cue.

[Cue crafty]

Younger cue makers like Gavin Mengham (G cues) who was I think from the Wooldridge stable as apprentice and Ian Curruthers looks to be making some good cues, he worked for Johnny Carr not that I see that as a plus, but his work looks very tidy from what I've seen. Better lead times and prices as they aren't as well known, but I think these guys struggle to earn a living from cue making alone.

Do JC or the cues not have a very good reputation crafty? I'd not see one before last night but I got given one for retipping at work and it looks and feels like a great cue.

Lot of rumours that I can't substantiate, so best I don't say too much, but it's been enough to keep me looking elsewhere. The line I use above about only fools and horses working would be the clue though.

[akofb]

Lot of rumours that I can't substantiate, so best I don't say too much, but it's been enough to keep me looking elsewhere. The line I use above about only fools and horses working would be the clue though.

Understood and appreciate you can't elaborate

[itsnoteasy]

Funny thing, I sold a pair of large spiroloc joints on eBay recently and a James Butters in Scotland purchased them from me, I really wanted to ask if it was he, but didn't... If it was him and he still makes cues, I think it's very low key for pals & friends etc not as a business as such. He has a FB page but he's not exactly hard selling cues. https://www.facebook.com/james.butters.965/

If they went to Dumfries it will more than likely be him.
Apparently Jim used to play in the club comps here a good few years back(long before my time) I've been told he was a really good player, regular century break level.