Should I cut my cue in half?

[jockymac]

I have a question for the cue experts out there.

I am returning to the game after a few years off and have dusted down my old cue. It is a one piece Riley Burwat which I would estimate at about 20 years old. It is a bit on the light side at 16oz but feels well balanced and I have always enjoyed playing with it. The only issue I have is the ease of transportation (or rather lack of..).

Would converting it into a 2 piece be a viable option?
How might this affect the weight and balance of the cue?
How much would it cost?

Apologies if this topic has already been done to death elsewhere - I'm new to the forum.

[Watford]

Don't do it!!!
It's a crime!
Too many old cues have been ruined!
My dad says if the cue was any good the bloke who made it wouldn't have sawn it in half!
I was thinking about getting a two seater car but not really going to work with my cue.
I only know Lynnette Horsborough who plays with a cue converted to 3/4 and she's bloody good.
It would cost about £15 - £20 I would have though but I suppose it depends who does it for you.

[Mellow Yellow]

Agreed, its so not worth it for the sake of a few inches saved.

Keep it as it is, treat your self to a nice 1 piece case and be proud of what you've got.

In my silly little way if i see someone with a one piece i always think they must be a good player.

[MikeWooldridge]

i wouldn't. and i always advise people against it.

but if you do decide to get it done, be very careful who does it for you...

it's a big job, and not easy to do properly. and well.

as for convenience, i say just carry a 1pc. it's not that big a deal is it? if you play twice a week, you have the inconveneience of carrying it for a short time.

compare that to every time you play snooker, wishing you hadn't chopped your cue in half...

anyway, people who carry 1pc cues look hard.

don't do it...

[ADR147]

have you ever tried to put a one piece in a ferrari? very tricky (oldgit!) my advice would be never cut a one piece if you can play with it. it cost alex higgins dear doing that.

[888]

i wouldn't. and i always advise people against it.

but if you do decide to get it done, be very careful who does it for you...

it's a big job, and not easy to do properly. and well.

as for convenience, i say just carry a 1pc. it's not that big a deal is it? if you play twice a week, you have the inconveneience of carrying it for a short time.

compare that to every time you play snooker, wishing you hadn't chopped your cue in half...

anyway, people who carry 1pc cues look hard.

don't do it...

as for convenience, i say just carry a 1pc. it's not that big a deal is it? [/QUOTE] haha..yes it's true mike if u are serious in your games, don't care 1 pc cues inconveneience and look hard

[888]

I have a question for the cue experts out there.

I am returning to the game after a few years off and have dusted down my old cue. It is a one piece Riley Burwat which I would estimate at about 20 years old. It is a bit on the light side at 16oz but feels well balanced and I have always enjoyed playing with it. The only issue I have is the ease of transportation (or rather lack of..).

Would converting it into a 2 piece be a viable option?
How might this affect the weight and balance of the cue?
How much would it cost?

Apologies if this topic has already been done to death elsewhere - I'm new to the forum.

or u find it.. inconveneience for u, u can leave your cue in your snooker club locker, if u don't scared lost

[hegeland]

If you got a good one piece cue that you are used to and play well with, I'd recommend you to think carefully before cutting it. There is always a possibility the cue might not feel completetly the same afterwards.

However, a 1/2 piece cue really is just as good as a 1/1 or a 3/4 one. It's just that this specific cue might not feel exactly the same after you have converted it.

My advice would be, depending on how fond you are of your cue, to either keep it as it is or get a completely new 1/2 one. As you're only returning to the game and haven't played for a few years, switching to a new cue might not be such a bad idea.

[Semih_Sayginer]

If you got a good one piece cue that you are used to and play well with, I'd recommend you to think carefully before cutting it. There is always a possibility the cue might not feel completetly the same afterwards.

However, a 1/2 piece cue really is just as good as a 1/1 or a 3/4 one. It's just that this specific cue might not feel exactly the same after you have converted it.

My advice would be, depending on how fond you are of your cue, to either keep it as it is or get a completely new 1/2 one. As you're only returning to the game and haven't played for a few years, switching to a new cue might not be such a bad idea.

have to agree with that in full.

[trevs1]

Just to have another opinion on it, I'll add my thoughts for you.

The cue you have is not valuable or collectable in any way, being a 'Riley' Burwat of the 80's, it's not going to be de-valued by splitting it.

Also, if you've just come back to playing, and, you liked the cue before, then I'd say there's not a great deal to stop you liking it now. If you feel the cue is on the light side, then a joint in it would offer some added weight to bring the cue up to about 17.5oz, give or take a little, so you may well find that feels better for you, maybe not, it's for you to decide.

Is having the cue split likely to affect the way it plays? I'd say no, it's unlikely to be truthful. It will feel slightly different but not anywhere near as much as using another cue.

Personally, I think if you find it a chore to carry the cue about, then I see no great problem with having it jointed, though I would agree that it needs to be done well, but most good makers or cue specialists would be able to ensure that.

The bottomline is that it really doesn't matter at all how your cue looks, as long as it suits YOU.

It's your cue, so do what makes you happy with it.

[The Doctor]

I agree with you Trevor. i played with a Hunt and o'byrne for years but recently bough a beautiful old 1pc handspliced joe davis cue. i loved the grain on the cue and the way it struck the ball. but it was a bit light for me(15 1/2oz) and not as forward weighted as i was used to. So, i got Robert Osborne to cut the cue just above the splices about 17" and insert a joint. the cue came back about 17 1/2oz and was just lovely. it made no difference to how the cue played but felt better to me. however, if you like how it plays, just be aware that a joint will obviously add a little weight and might make the cue sound a bit different when hitting the ball. Otherwise it should not be too different. each to their own i say.

[jockymac]

Thanks for the replies guys.

The inconvenience issue is significant to me as I will soon be downsizing my car making a one piece difficult if not impossible to carry. There's also the security issue of having a cue case in full view!

My view is that if I am going to change my cue this is a good time to do it while I am still finding my feet after such a long time out of the game. The light weight of my existing cue is not really an issue, but I could get used to a slightly heavier cue in no time provided the balance was ok.

As I see it I have two options:-

1. Have my existing cue split. I would also require a new ferrule (existing is the original and looks pretty awful as well as the wood immediately below the ferrule being worn).

2. Buy a new 2 piece cue.

Option 1 is the cheapest but means burning my bridges. Once it's cut, it's cut! If I didn't like it I would have no alternative but to buy a new cue.

Option 2 costs more (unless I compromised with a cheap import which I obviously wouldn't consider) but I would still have my original cue to sell to offset the cost, or split as per option 1 if I changed my mind. Realistically by trying enough cues I should find one I'd be happy with at a reasonable cost.

I've had a quick look around a few internet sites and changing for a potentially better cue, for a reasonable amount of money, seems possible. For example John Parrot Sports have an offer on at the moment - a Peradon Century 2 piece + mini butt + case for £89.95.

My instinct is to go for option 2, if I fail to find a replacement at the right price I can always go for option 1 (or stick with a bigger car and look hard!). I shall have an opportunity to try out a few cues on Monday. I'll let you know how I get on. In the meantime I would be happy to hear any views on the above.

Thanks for your help so far.

[Semih_Sayginer]

think youve "chosen" wisely to try option 2, and then if you still want to, take the hacksaw to 'your' cue

good luck!!

[hegeland]

Well if you think a new cue costs a lot of money, you should know UK cues (made in "snooker style") are cheap compared to the prices elsewhere in the world.

Here we have to pay at least £150 for a decent cue, and that's just the cue alone. A good cue, such as Predator or most Meuccis costs from £300 and upwards.

[trevs1]

I don't think you'd be burning any bridges, as the cue is just so unlikely to be any different other than a little heavier if you had it split.

Also, it would appear clear enough you are prepeared to try an alternative cue anyway, as you state you are considering option 2 above. So, even if you did find you'd like to get another cue after having yours split, you'd still be in the same boat really.

I guess it depends how much your current cue really does feel right for you, and, how much you are willing to forego that, to try another completely different cue.

I can't see there being too much of an issue either way, so I feel you can rest easy with either option.

Best of luck with whatever you try anyway, I'm sure it'll work out fine.