Bear Cues - MB4-R06

Mark Bear (MB4-R06) - 2006 Full-spliced 4 pt. Cocobolo, Bird's-eye Maple, Leather Wrap

Mark Bear made his first cue in 1994. Soon after he began selling them locally and regionally to players in the Fredericksburg, Virginia area. Over the years Mark has constantly improved upon his designs and construction techniques with the latest being what he calls the “Modern Day Full Splice”. This is based on the tried and true Brunswick Titlist design. Mark Bear Custom Cues is truly a one-man shop where everything is made in-house, with the exception of the tips, bumpers and some screws. Every cue is handmade and one-of-a-kind.

True full-spliced cues were the first pool cues made utilizing two-piece construction because it was the only way to join two pieces of wood together without using pegs, dowels or nails. The hide glues, which predated modern high-tech adhesives, demanded a large surface gluing area, which the full-spliced design provided. Herman Rambow understood the importance of the full-spliced construction; when he left Brunswick he continued to use Titlist blanks for his cues.

Burton Spain was the first to create blanks with his own improved full-spliced design. For nearly 30 years Spain sold his blanks to George Balabushka and many other cuemakers of the day. Burton Spain stated, “The greatest `working' cues are made from full-spliced, four-prong blanks.” They are much more time-consuming and require more wood to make than a short (half) splice cue, in which seven or more pieces of wood are glued, pinned, doweled, and/or threaded together. The superior strength, stability and balance created by splicing two woods together make full-spliced cues prized by players who appreciate their feel and responsiveness.

Bird's-eye maple forearm, four full-spliced Cocobola points with black, orange, green and white veneers. The Cocobola butt is decorated at the base by an ivory Hoppe-style ring. The cue is signed “M. Bear `06” on the ivory ring. The flat-faced joint has a Uni-Loc radial pin and stainless steel collar, with black linen phenolic joint and shaft collars and silver trim rings. The cue is finished with a thin black linen phenolic collar and a black rubber bumper. The wrap is a rich grained black leather. This cue's condition is “like new” 98%.

Two 13mm, 29-inch shafts with ivory ferrules and Triangle tips. Both have been test hit (chalked), but are immaculate:

Shaft #1: 3-7/8 oz. (112g).

Shaft #2: 3-5/8 oz. (106g)

Butt weight: 15.5 oz. (438g)

Weight: 19-1/8 to 19-3/8 (550-554g), depending on shaft used. Length: 58 inches.

PRICE: $1,175. SOLD