Woods 3 Star or Chinese O'Min

[Pathway]

Hi,

Pretty much a complete beginner to cue buying (only ever borrowed or used club cues) so please bear with me.

I have looked through the archives and searched the forum so have already read some information on each manufacturer but would appreciate comments from the community - especially from anyone who has experience of both the Woods 3 Star cues and the Chinese O'Min as I may be able to get either for a similar outlay.

With thanks in advance

Oliver

[itsnoteasy]

That's a very good question pathway, I know Cuedos on here (same name on eBay) sells both these type of cues.

[tofushop193]

It is not chinese. It is Thailand

[jrc750]

It is not chinese. It is Thailand

The real O'Min are made in Thailand yes, but the cheaper copies are made in China

[Cmbrstefan]

Woods 3 Star or Chinese O'Min

as i heard omin thailand should file a sue against them to reclaim his name back. should be in the near future

[Ramon]

Hi,

Pretty much a complete beginner to cue buying (only ever borrowed or used club cues) so please bear with me.

I have looked through the archives and searched the forum so have already read some information on each manufacturer but would appreciate comments from the community - especially from anyone who has experience of both the Woods 3 Star cues and the Chinese O'Min as I may be able to get either for a similar outlay.

With thanks in advance

Oliver

maybe PM Andrew (ADR 147), would be an option??? He has a lot of cues from different price range.including O'min cues.

[Leo]

maybe PM Andrew (ADR 147), would be an option??? He has a lot of cues from different price range.including O'min cues.

personally i think the top cuemakers should breakaway from agents at least this way the general public might actually be able to order a cue in a decent time frame

[Maverick54]

Speaking as someone who has owned and played with both of these makes of cues I would say the chinese O'min was definately better than the woods 3 star.

The 3 star I had was a lovely looking cue with nice coconut wood splices over maple venners but it was the overall finish that let it down. The shaft felt like it wanted smoothing down and refinnishing properly and the butt had a few flat bits where the laquer/polish or whatever they had used hadnt been applied evenly. The ferule wasnt flush with the end of the cue either and you could feel the edge if you dragged your nail along the shaft (one of my pet hates is badly fitted ferules)

The O'min had a nice oil finnish all the way through and felt great to hold and play with.

If you want a fancy looking cue with polished butt go for the woods. If you want a cue that feels and plays great go for the Chinese O'min

[Maverick54]

personally i think the top cuemakers should breakaway from agents at least this way the general public might actually be able to order a cue in a decent time frame

You do seem a bit down on the cuemakers in this country Leo. Dont think i've read one possitive post from you yet. Good cumakers are in demand and as such you have to wait for quality.

If you need to buy a cue in a hurry, then that is why God invented JJB etc.

[itsnoteasy]

I can understand the frustration of the waiting times, but the guys are running a business, it's not a hobby. If they employ agents to get them sales in Asia for example, fair play to them, they have wages to pay etc, and are there to make money. Don't buy from them if you don't like the wait, let's face it for most it's just badge snobbery , I would guess a high percentage of top range cues will never make a century break in their lives.

[Pathway]

Thanks for the responses. I know 'real' O'min are from Thailand and that the Chinese version are 'fakes' and I've also read about the ongoing debate regarding who is registered where and can sell 'legally' etc so am eyes wide open regarding that.

As I am buying this blind (far from ideal I know) advice from others is very much appreciated.

I'll let you know how I get on

Oliver

[Mellow Yellow]

I have had a 3 star woods cue before (custom made) very good service from them direct and I would consider using them again. The cue was well made but I just couldn't get on with the specs and balance of the cue.

what is your budget if you don't mind me asking?

[Pathway]

As I am a beginner and am not going to be playing that regularly I was hoping to keep things relatively low - around the £100 mark (I could afford more but its hard to justify a large spend)

I've looked at the Master cue and a few others around that mark and options like O'min etc cropped up. I am not interested in buying a 'name' simply something that is quality, well finished and will last and grow with my game - machine spliced etc is fine

Cheers,

Oliver

[desso]

I would consider this if I were you :-)
http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/221460638713?nav=SEARCH

[Maverick54]

Should be careful of using the word copies or fakes. If ive followed the O'min debates over the past few years these cues are neither copies or fakes.
They are made in China under licence from O'min Thailand which makes them genuine O'min cues. (just not made in Thailand ha ha.) Unless ive misunderstood the dabates that is.