The Pool Cue Butt
The pool cue butt is the thicker, heavier end of a two-piece pool cue. This is the end where you grab the cue stick to shoot with it, and it mates with the shaft end to form the complete cue stick.
This part of the pool cue is where most of the fancy inlay work and design is done. For this reason, it is the most expensive part of the cue, but also the most attractive. Semi-precious gems, abalone, exotic woods, ivory, and other materials are all used by master cue builders to decorate their custom creations in this area.
The butt end of the cue is made up of several sections - the forearm, wrap, butt sleeve, and bumper. Other components include the pin, collar, rings, and inlays. This section of the pool cue is usually made of a hardwood such as rock maple, but it can be made of other types of wood as well. Fancy inlays and/or paint schemes are done on the forearm and butt sleeve sections.
The wrap is where the cue is gripped for shooting. The material used here is usually linen, leather, or nylon, or this area may be simply painted. The wrap protects the stick from the oils and sweat from the hands. The threaded pin is attached to the end of the pool cue butt that joins with the shaft of the pool cue and mates with a corresponding threaded hole in the shaft. This area, collectively known as the joint, may be reinforced with the collar and rings.
At the other end of the butt is the bumper. This piece of rubber protects the end of the cue stick from damage and provides a cushion for when the stick is set on the floor. On adjustable weight cues, different weight bolts may be inserted into a bored hole at this end of the cue, depending on how light or heavy the cue stick owner prefers it.
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