Viking Cue DilemmaWith the recent announcement of Viking Cues shutting down there Wisconsin based operation until a buyer could be found, and the new pool season being upon us a large number of pool players are looking for replacement shafts, and with Viking stopping production this task has become quite difficult.
In the best years of Viking manufacturing's stint, They made around 30,000 pool cues in 12 months. This was a huge number for a "Production Custom" style cue company.
Asian Invasion
At the middle of the internet bubble, the internet picked up steam which made it easier for billiards equipment dealers to trade more readily with cue makers from Taiwan, China and other free trade countries who could produce pool cues of similar looks for a much lower price.
US companies like Viking cue were pressured by these imported cues to be competitive with their prices. Viking needed to beat them with the Viking name which they had established in the market over the 30 years.
The war over American made cues and imported became a loosing battle. Many of the US based companies gave in to the pressure and decided to import cues under their own brand name to reduce labor costs. Viking held their guns which might have been their demise.
Early this year it was released that Viking's factory had stopped production. Like in Willy Wanka and the Chocolate Factory this may not be the conclusion to Viking Cue's story. Word on the street is that Viking has found a buyer , they are negotiating terms for the sale of Viking Manufacturing. My wishes are that this is true and that Viking continues their exceptional cue line.
Right now there are numerous distributors waiting on cues and shafts they ordered before the news of Viking broke.
In addition, seemingly a very limited supply of parts are available on the web. We would like to show you the large number of options actually available but not readily found. these viking shafts are made to fit the proprietary Viking Quick Release joint.
Viking Pool Cue Shafts
