Pair of John Robinson Cues
This pair of John Robinson cues are examples of finish work performed here at Proficient Billiards.
John Robinson custom pool cues are highly sought-after, rare collector’s items crafted by hand without the aid of modern CNC machines. Taught by legendary cue maker Harvey Martin, Robinson built custom cues in Arizona and California, averaging about 30 to 40 cues per year before retiring in 2008. His work is deeply respected by cue enthusiasts and collectors for its distinctive old-school craftsmanship, unique construction choices, and exceptional playability.
Key Characteristics & Construction
- Reverse Joint System: His signature feature is the joint pin located directly inside the shaft rather than the butt, a design choice shared with cue makers like Burton Spain.
- Inlaid Joints: The pin-in-shaft engineering allowed Robinson to create beautiful, intricate custom inlays that extended directly into the joint area.
- Manual Craftsmanship: He used a manual pantograph for points and ivory inlays rather than computer-controlled machinery, and he never used pre-fabricated spliced blanks.
- Dyed Ivory: He developed a proprietary technique to dye ivory into vibrant colors, such as rich blues, creating striking visual contrasts against exotic woods like Cocobolo and Gabon Ebony.
- Playability: His cues are widely celebrated for having a very solid, stiff, and crisp hit, usually featuring a slim, comfortable handle.
- Rarity: Very few of his cues were signed, but they remain instantly recognizable to collectors by their construction. He passed away in 2016.