In 2005, collector Deno Andrews commissioned this cue from Joel Hercek. The challenge was to create a wrapless cue stick using the woods Amaranth (Purple Heart), Curly Maple, and Ebony. In May of 2006, Hercek delivered this unique work which features a very rare design exposing the butterfly splice, something rarely seen in Hercek's work. Since most of Hercek's cues feature a wrap of some sort on the handle section of the cue, the butterfly splice is hidden underneath the wrap. In this design, the full splice of the cue is also completely exposed; the bottoms of the points are usually hidden under the wrap. The forearm is curly maple. The points are made from ebony. The handle is Amaranth. The joint is ivory and the pin is 3/8"-10.

All white inlays are ivory. Andrews requested a minimalist butt cap, so Hercek opted not to use ivory  because it was too fragile in such a thin piece. The framed ivory inlays at the tips of the points adds some flare to balance out the curly maple, which can easily draw the eye away from the points. At the bottoms of the points are square inlays which finish the look of the cue and ties togeher the forearm and the handle section.

This cue is 19.2 oz in weight, 57-1/2" long, and has two 12.75mm shafts with 3/4" ferrules (phenolic). The cue is unchalked. The ring work was designed by Hercek.

General Info on Hercek-

Joel Hercek is the cue maker that was taught by legendary cue maker Burton Spain, who is famous for his full-splice point construction. In the early 1990s, the two worked together so that Joel could learn the trade and take over the business. Today, Joel continues to make cues in the traditional sense but adds his own contemporary flavor. The splice technique he learned from Spain is arguably the most structurally sound construction. However, it is time consuming and costly and has been abandoned by nearly all cue makers for less costly alternatives. Joel's use of the butterfly splice to manage weight and balance is also a technique learned from  Spain. Every one of his cues are constructed this way, so It is no surprise that Joel makes one of the most sought after cues on the market today. Ordering a cue from Joel means waiting roughly eight to ten years before your name makes it to the top of his list of waiting customers. Each of his cues are of the highest quality possible, and nothing less than perfection leaves his shop, thus it is worth the wait.