| Cue Review |
Doug Patrick - New Cue Review -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Doug has been posting on this forum lately, and I figure there may be some people interested in feedback regarding his cues. I recently purchased this cue from a fellow AZber, so note that I have no affiliation with Doug, other than I love his work. First off let me say that I've been looking for "the" cue for a long time. The one that would be my daily player and cast no doubt that I was using the best I could find. My new Doug Patrick cue is easily the best cue I've hit with in my life, and I've hit with (and owned) a lot of cues. The best way to describe this cue - it hits like a radial cue but has a stainless piloted joint. This is very hard to achieve, and few makers pull it off. The 5/16x14 pin is extra long and the pilot is about 3/16. As you tighten the shaft you can feel it getting snug as the pilot starts to seat. This is fine machining, and not once has my shaft come loose after many hours of playing. The shaft has a long pro taper, about 12" that gradually thickens up into a conical type taper about halfway up. The shaft wood is very clean, white maple, straight grain and perfect finish. Rolls straight as an arrow, as does the butt. Ferrule is Linen Based Melamine, 1" long at 12.75mm and the hit is crisp and responsive. Original tip is a medium Moori - since replaced with a thinned down hard Triangle. The cue agrees with this choice and plays even better with the harder tip on it. The butt is very well put together and has a thinner taper that suits my short stubby fingers, LOL. Forearm is Tiger maple featuring four ebony points with red-black-red-black veneers. The points are needle sharp and even as I've ever seen. Wrap is black and red irish linen, which compliments the points nicely. There are thick metal rings (silver?) at A,B,C, D & E which really sets it off nicely and give the cue that vintage 1950's look I like so much. Butt sleeve is ebony with eight large mother of pearl triangles that form an ebony diamond in the middle. The inlays are all fit perfectly and there is no lifting or inconsistency in the finish. There is an understated elegance in the simplicity of this cues design. Not over busy and very classy up close or from a distance. I've already received a ton of compliments on this cue and I've only had it a few days. A lady I know told me the cue looks "evil and menacing", that's how I know I made the right choice. First thing that impressed me was how quickly I got used to the cue. The deflection is a lot less than most cues I've tried. This will be the cue I use from now on, without doubt. If you're looking for an extremely well made cue and like the idea of supporting a maker that does it for all the right reasons, then I suggest contacting Doug. Doug's AZB name is patrickcues, here's a recent thread to help you learn even more. Thanks for making a great cue Doug. I've been saving my spare beans up for the custom cue I would one day order. I'll be giving you the tap when that time comes. K. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Last edited by Klopek : 09-09-2007 at 09:48 PM. |
| To Whom It May Concern: I am writing to thank you for the best hitting cue I have played with to date. Over 42 years of playing this great game, I have had the fortune of playing with the highest caliber of cues from some of the greatest cue makers, such as Bill Stroud's Josh West and Gus Zamboti and I will tell you that when I picked up this cue at a local tournament and struck some balls, I discovered that Doug's cues had the most solid but smooth hit I have experienced. I really was not in the market for a cue but after an half hour of hitting one of his cues I promptly bought it. In my humble opinion, these cues have the smoothest, most solid and the least deflection of any cue I have hit to date. Doug, I would like to thank you for your superior workmanship. I know from the workmanship, that is evident on my cue, that it isn't possible to make a better cue! Sam A. Yancey III Omaha, NE yancey1@cox.net |