The graph above was taken from Richard Bolles’ The Three Boxes of Life and How to Get Out of Them. While Richard Bolles has a unique perspective on life (well worth checking out, in my humble opinion) Tony couldn’t quite identify with any of the categories. For the purposes of clarifying Black Boar’s perspective different entries were required.
Quality Performance- Of all of the discoveries Tony has ever made none of them just began brilliant. Often times what grows into a Black Boar standard feature starts out as a mistake or a problem that needs addressing. Just like the ‘Scientific Theory,’ (you might have learned in high school--- if you weren’t at the pool hall) first comes an analysis, then the hypothesis, then the experiment (with a control and variables) and only then, the conclusion. It is only after every conceivable method or variable has been tried that solution can be made or a conclusion drawn. Most of the time it takes 4 or 5 tries to get it right, long before a cue goes out the door. The process has been cumulative in each and every feature and the cue as a whole. Every Black Boar cue has been made the best way that was known at the time (hence the evolution of the much sought after 6 point cues).
Timelines Performance- Not all functions, nor all days, can be approached at the same pace. For example, one of the longest, most time consuming facets of Black Boar cue production is transferring a hand drawn sketch to the cad cam. Inlay design in all of its stages requires time, patience, and a steady hand. You can't put a pace on creativity. On the other hand, cue making is made up of may redundant tasks are reasonably simple and these can be accomplished in a short period of time.
Initiative Performance- No bullshit here, folks. Tony is committed to only disclosing theories that are scientifically proven. He is adamant that any Black Boar information be presented (first) technically correct. His understanding of the physics of a pool cue is based on 18 years of analysis of hundreds of player’s strokes and thousands of hours of trial and error.
Adaptability Performance- To those that don’t know—there is no money or luxury in cue making. Every player out there (((Hug your Cue Maker))). It is largely a dismal profession, filled with calluses, sawdust and splinters, long and lonely hours, costly equipment and materials and very little return. That said, you can imagine 18 years of cue making has not always been sunshine and roses. Jigs and fixtures break, the composition of natural materials changes the game everyday and overcoming the obstacles isn't always easy. Some days the best you can hope for is just to wade through. Unfortunately, you can't trade in glory.
Communication Performance- Along the way many, many, many people have consulted Tony on any number of different materials, machines, and construction techniques. As Vince said recently, there is always one guy at the end of ten phone calls who has the answer. The truth is no matter where it comes from, said expert, random average Joe, trusted friend, or divine intervention all answers are welcome at Black Boar, whether we are asking or not. Because sometimes the trick isn’t the answer so much as learning enough to ask the right question.
