Hercek responce Titleist/full splice
Qmakr
This is the first time I have ever responded to a post where my name was
mentioned. I usually just read them and move on. HOWEVER...
I'll make this breif. I have an issue with some of the comments that were made
in regards to the full splice and Titleist. I do agree with Jim Buss that the
Titleist butts are in demand because supply is nil. People do want what they
can't have, and sometimes they don't know why. The construction technique in
the Titleist is very similar to the construction technique in my cues, with one
exception, the Titleist is inferior. Burton Spain spent a lifetime developing
a blank that was better in construction,weight, balance, and looks. He
achieved his goal in 1990, only to have his personal satisfaction cut short do
to his failing health. As I stated in the beginning, I never respond to these
post, however I saw a word that caught my attention. BUZZ. Jim Buss, a friend
of mine, stated that the full splice has more surface area to glue then other
cues. And in time the veneers can pull apart from one another and cause a
buzz. NOT TRUE, CAN'T HAPPEN. Jim did mention the epoxies used today are far
better then what was used many years ago, and I believe that is what he was
referring to.
There is LESS surface area in a full splice to epoxy then most cues because the
prongs are one one solid peice of wood cut from the handle, not four seprate
pieces of wood held together with only epoxy. Im not here to debate
construction techniques, all the top cuemakers have a handle on what works
best for them. There is no one right way to build cues, if that was the case,
there would be only one cuemaker making cues worth a damm. That simply is not
so. I have great respect for most of the cuemakers out there, and if anyone
got the impression that Jim was picking on my cues, thats ridicules. He called
me today to warn me about the post, and we both got a good laugh out of it.
I just had to clarify that the full splice I do can never develop a buzz, the
whole point of making it is to ensure that it could never happen. The 2 Burton
Spain cues Jim mentioned were most likely made pre 1990 when Burt made cues
with shorty blanks, like most everybody else. Oh by the way, I do use the
thicker veneer that is present in the Titleist cues. I searched for two years
to find the one company to cut them the thickness I wanted, and bought all they
would sell me. Enough of the crazy posts, if you are really interested in the
full splice, and want to know why I feel its the best for me, call me, I'd be
more than happy to set you straight.
Joel Hercek
Hercek Fine Billiard Cues
Esternb
Amen Joel. Burton mastered the blank and I am disappointed that he passed
away so soon afterward. But I am very happy that he taught someone to do it
right. I just wish that he would have been able to finish the second part of
the book (pamplet) that he wrote. The first one was so informative.
Eric : )
Eric M. Sternberg
Sternberg Cues and Repair Service
Chattanooga, TN.