Birth of a Pool Cue: Part #3 "The Transformation"

Welcome back to my retrospective of the Viking Cue custom cue plant tour.  

Part 3 describes how the intricate design work is applied.  

Our next stop on the tour was the LOUDEST .... by far!  On this part of the tour I learned that, once the wood has been seasoned, it is then cut, and depending on how and where it is cut, a particular piece of wood will become either the shaft or butt-end of the cue, or rather the female and male ends. This is where the tour became incredibly loud due to the roaring sound of the "multi-lathes", which also made it difficult to hear what VP Rick Rolli was telling us, and I’m not going to lie; I’m pretty sure I missed some important details. What I was able to make out and understand is that each piece is then sent over to the drillers, which are calculated to drill precision holes where the two ends will be fastened together. Each piece gets milled several times more with a resting period between each session, which I learned, lessens the chance of damage being done to the cue while being processed. Mesmerized by the sound of machinery spinning with precision and watching the ribbons of wood fly away as the wood begins to take the early shape of a billiard cue. After the cutting and milling is completed, we are left with two perfectly fitting pieces that are--well to my eyes, kind of plain and in need of some panache!

OK.... those aren't decorative stickers..........

Next it was off to see the Viking craftsmen transform these plain wooden planks into a works of art. Rick explained that Viking is a true custom cue manufacturer and that whatever a customer wants Viking can make it for them. I was informed that billiards people love to be original and for this type of person, Viking uses Inlays and Ringwork. Most models of Viking Cues are standard with one or the other (or both). These decorations are inlaid pieces of actual exotic woods and precious stones! I was amazed by the amount of work that goes into the application of these pieces. The cue bodies are carefully carved out with precision CNC spindles and then each inlay or ring is carefully placed by hand. I noticed right away how these decorative inlays really add beauty and breathe new life to cues.

Away from the spinning lathes and drills, I role-played a "fly-on-the-wall" and watched one of the craftsman, Dan Olson, put the finishing touches on his work. The ambient sounds of lathes in the distance, became soothing background music for the orchestration that was taking place on this bench-top. Watching these artisans at work was hypnotic. The end result is ultimately beautiful... and also appears to be a incredibly time-consuming.  During this "calming" part of the tour, Rick explained that if someone is willing to wait, a custom cue can be designed from scratch and take up to year to make from concept to finish. WOW! 

Take all that, with the years of seasoning and time "turning" and milling, this is not a quick process. Rick said that some of the raw materials that we had seen, might not see a pool ball till 2020!! Which means that the ENTIRE company needs to plan ahead, years in advance, not only to keep their customers happy, but to keep this tradition going. 

My mind was officially blown. I never could have fathomed the extensive amount of work and time that goes into making a custom cue.  I've played some pool in my life; usually in a bar or in someone's rec-room; shooting only with a less-than-stellar house cue. I can now appreciate the value in a cue like this and happy to report that there is a home for someone that appreciates american made performance and custom cues. That place is Viking Cue!! 

Check in next week as I wrap up the tour with my notes on Viking's  "finishing" touches!

Ryan T. McCann