(2012/10/23 - updated review, added new comments to bottom, wood chipping off the cue) Intrigued by the price and that it supposedly has a screw-in tip, and knowing I needed a spare cue, I decided to order this. At the time I ordered it, a few days ago, it was listed with an MSRP of 99, on sale for 29. I would never pay 99 for any basic wooden cue. For something like this, I might pay 30ish max. When I got it, it was bent.. sure enough, like some of the others had said. Looked like a defect at the factory or the wood warped while being shipped to America. My replacement cue was perfect though, smooth rolling, no issues. Read below for more details. * TIP: For anyone curious, the tip appears to be a 'nickle' tip. Also, the description says it is a screw-in tip, but I could not manage to unscrew it. Perhaps they used glue on the threads, or perhaps it's not really a threaded tip. I don't want to damage it by trying to force it off. PROS: * Inexpensive * High quality, good-looking pattern, differentiates itself from the usual off-the-wall cue * Nice solid feel to it * The taper came pre-sanded and is very smooth, even when the humidity is a little higher than normal in the billiard room. Didn't need any gloves or hand chalk while using. * It breaks sharply and nicely, and shots are crisp and clean. CONS: * First cue was bent, and the case was damaged (second one was fine) * Can't seem to unscrew the screw-in tip * The tip is slightly ever so much gently, off-center MY RATING: I can't give this a 5 because of the issues I had with the first one, and because the tip isn't exactly center. I won't give it a 3 because, for the price, I really do like the cue. So i give this 4 stars. For general breaking, or something around the house as a spare/extra, this is great. Excellent to let guests use and not have to worry about them messing up your nice cues. Could also be used at your local hall if you like. It's better than what's on the wall, and looks sharp. * CUE #1: So I ordered it. It came within a couple of days, it was well packed. Upon opening the amazon box, there was a small rectangular box inside of all the packing material. Upon opening the rectangular inner box, I immediately saw that the included case was damaged. The end of the case didn't even appear to be properly glued on, and as such, was open, and the case was useless at that point. Wasn't interested in the case anyhow, but that's just annoying. Opened the case, and the cue was nicely wrapped in cellophane. The pattern on the cue is actually pretty high quality, which was cool. It's your standard wooden two piece cue pretty much. Unwrapped the cellophane, screwed it together, and layed it on the table to roll it for straightness. It was bent well enough to make me gag. I had eyed the cue before putting it on the table, but I didn't want to believe that my eyes were telling me it was bent. Sure enough, it had a lop in it, probably about half an inch as you rolled it across the table. The handle portion of the cue was straight, it was the tip side which was wobbly. The tip was centered perfectly though, which was nice. Contacted Amazon, and they sent me a replacement the next day. Kudos to Amazon! * CUE #2: Opened the box, same as before there was lots of packing material, and an inner rectangular box. Opened the inner box, and this time the case wasn't damaged in any way. I opened the case, and the cue inside was wrapped in cellophane and, like the one prior, the pattern on the cue was very nice. Screwed the cue together and rolled it on the table. It rolled perfectly, smoothly, without an issue. Very straight and true. My only gripe is the tip is slightly off center, just enough to notice it by eyesight while rolling. ~*********~ * 10/23/2012 UPDATE on CUE #2: I lowered my rating to 3 stars, to signify that it's "ok". Wouldn't pay more than $25 for this stick..to be honest, would rather pay close to $15! After about 10 standard breaks (no hard breaks, just the usual break), a chip of wood came off behind the ferrule. The shaft must be pretty soft wood, and after thinking about it and looking at it, it really does seem like standard soft pine which was turned down. The tip remains just fine, in fact hardly a mark on it from the breaks. The ferrule has been pushed back into the wood and the chip flew off onto the table. I've attached a photo of this in the gallery.
