The Cue Behind the 2025 European Champion
In April 2025, Martin Horn claimed the 3-Cushion European Championship in Ankara, Turkey, defeating Belgium's Roland Forthomme 50–30 in a commanding final. A decisive 10-point run extended Horn's lead to 35–13 mid-match, effectively sealing the title. It was a performance worthy of a 4-time world champion, and it was delivered with the Longoni Black Rainbow in his hands.
Horn, born January 28, 1971, in Essen, Germany, is one of the most decorated 3-cushion players in history. The Black Rainbow isn't a cue that simply carries his name. It was developed in direct collaboration with Horn, making it a true signature model shaped by decades of competitive experience at the highest level.
As a member of Longoni's Custom Pro series, the Black Rainbow is purpose-built for 3-cushion billiards. It blends championship DNA with advanced Italian engineering, and no other carom cue on the market carries the distinction of being the reigning European champion's instrument of choice.
Longoni's Italian Craftsmanship: 80 Years in the Making
Longoni has been manufacturing cues in Mariano Comense, in the province of Como, Italy, since 1945, making it one of the oldest billiard cue makers in the world, with over 80 years of continuous production in the same workshop.
This isn't heritage for the sake of marketing. Every Black Rainbow butt is handcrafted in the Como facility using techniques refined across eight decades. More than 75 years of composite materials development underpins innovations like the Luna Nera graphite shaft, covered in detail below.
The Black Rainbow represents the pinnacle of Longoni's Custom Pro line: the point where artisan tradition meets precision engineering. In a market increasingly dominated by mass-produced cues, Longoni's commitment to Italian manufacturing is a meaningful differentiator that serious players recognize.
Ural Wood: The Material That Makes the Black Rainbow Unique
Most cue manufacturers rely on maple for their butts, often painting or surface-staining the wood to achieve a desired look. Longoni took a fundamentally different approach with Ural wood.
Ural wood is Longoni's proprietary material, made from European hornbeam (Carpinus betulus), one of the densest and hardest broadleaf woods found across Europe. Rather than applying a surface stain that sits on top of the grain, Longoni uses a deep staining process, introduced in fall 2019, that penetrates the wood's cellular structure. The result is a genuine black ebony-like appearance that runs throughout the material, not just on the surface.
European hornbeam's natural density gives the Black Rainbow butt exceptional stability and consistent energy transfer. For 3-cushion billiards, where precise angle control across three rails determines every shot, this consistency is critical. A continuous ash core running through the butt reinforces structural integrity and reduces flex, ensuring the cue performs identically from one shot to the next.
There's also a sustainability angle worth noting. European hornbeam is sourced from managed European forests, aligning with growing buyer preference for eco-conscious premium materials. When you're investing over $1,000 in a cue, knowing the material is both high-performing and responsibly sourced adds genuine value.
Few competitors explain what Carpinus betulus actually is or why it outperforms stained maple. The short answer: density, stability, and a staining process that goes far deeper than the surface.
Engineering Excellence: VP2 Titanium Joint and 3Lobite Extension System
The VP2 Titanium Joint is one of the Black Rainbow's most consequential features. Titanium's rigidity delivers an ultra-firm lock between butt and shaft, resulting in virtually zero energy loss at the connection point. The practical outcome is sharper feedback and more precise cue ball control compared to standard brass or stainless steel joints.
This matters most in 3-cushion billiards. Subtle variations in energy transfer affect the ball's path across three cushions, and even a small amount of flex or play at the joint can alter trajectory enough to miss a point. The VP2 is engineered to eliminate that variable.
The 3Lobite Extension System adds another layer of adaptability. This modular system allows smooth cue length adjustment, letting players adapt to tighter table positions, longer bridge distances, or personal stance preferences without switching cues. Horn himself uses this system during competition, adjusting his cue to match the demands of each shot.
The full cue weighs 500 to 520 grams with a length of 142.5 cm (tip and rubber bumper not included), providing a balanced, competition-ready feel. Juma Gem inlays and double black linen end rings complete the build. These aren't purely decorative; they add durability at stress points while maintaining the cue's minimalist all-black aesthetic. Every detail serves a functional purpose.
Choosing Your Shaft: Luna Nera Graphite vs. E71 Maple
The Black Rainbow is available with three shaft options, each suited to a different player profile. Choosing the right one depends on your playing style, experience level, and personal preferences.
Luna Nera Graphite Shaft: This is a unidirectional graphite (carbon fiber) shaft featuring extremely low deflection, high power output, polyurethane filling for vibration absorption, and CNC-machined mechanical components. It measures 705 mm (27.75 inches), weighs approximately 120 grams, and has an 11.8 mm tip diameter. The Luna Nera is ideal for power players and advanced competitors who want maximum consistency. It's non-deformable and resistant to humidity, a significant practical advantage for tournament travel or playing in humid climates. It also carries a 24-month warranty against manufacturing defects.
E71 S20 Maple Shaft: A softer-flex maple shaft suited to players who prefer a traditional wood feel with a gentler touch. This is a strong option for players still developing their stroke or those who favor finesse over raw power.
E71 S30 Maple Shaft: A stiffer maple shaft offering more feedback and a firmer hit. Experienced players transitioning from wood who want the familiar feel but with tighter tolerances tend to gravitate toward the S30.
At Billiard City, an authorized Longoni dealer, full configurations range from $1,499 with the Luna Nera shaft to $1,579 with two E71 S30 shafts. A butt-only purchase is also available at $1,099 for players who already own compatible shafts. This option makes the Black Rainbow accessible to players who want to upgrade their butt without committing to a full cue purchase.
Certilogo Authentication: Buying With Confidence
Every Longoni Black Rainbow includes a Certilogo holographic label and QR code. Scan it on certilogo.com to instantly verify the cue's authenticity and confirm it is a genuine Longoni product.
One important detail: as of November 1, 2024, Longoni no longer issues duplicate Certilogo certificates for any reason. Buyers should register their cue immediately upon receipt and keep the original label intact. If the certificate is lost or damaged, it cannot be replaced.
This policy change makes purchasing from an authorized dealer more important than ever. Unauthorized sellers cannot guarantee certificate validity or warranty support. When you're spending $1,099 to $1,579 on a premium cue, buying from a verified source isn't optional.
Purchasing from Billiard City ensures your Black Rainbow arrives with a valid, unregistered Certilogo certificate and full manufacturer warranty. In a premium cue market where counterfeits do exist, this is a practical trust signal that protects your investment.
Is the Longoni Black Rainbow Right for You?
The Black Rainbow is purpose-built for 3-cushion billiards. Serious carom players at the intermediate-to-advanced level will get the most from its precision engineering and championship pedigree.
Competitive players who want to play with the same cue as the 2025 European Champion will find the Black Rainbow uniquely compelling. This is not a cosmetic signature model. It's a cue Martin Horn helped engineer and plays with at the highest level of competition.
Players who value understated, minimalist aesthetics will appreciate the all-black palette, geometric lines, and Juma Gem inlays. The design looks as precise as it plays, without the ornate decoration that characterizes many premium cues.
The butt-only option at $1,099 makes the Black Rainbow accessible to players who already own high-quality shafts and want to upgrade without a full cue investment. This flexibility reflects a broader industry trend: demand for customizable, high-performance cues has grown 17% year-over-year, and the global billiards equipment market reached $1.8 billion in 2023 with a projected 5.2% CAGR through 2030. The Black Rainbow sits squarely at the center of this movement toward modular, performance-driven equipment.
Billiard City offers the full Black Rainbow lineup with competitive pricing, free shipping on US orders over $99, and the personalized customer service that comes with being an authorized Longoni dealer. All configurations are available through Billiard City's website.
Final Thoughts
The Longoni Black Rainbow is the rare cue that earns its price through engineering substance. Ural wood, the VP2 Titanium Joint, Luna Nera graphite shaft technology, and the 3Lobite Extension System are each meaningful performance features, not talking points.
Martin Horn's 2025 European Championship win in Ankara is the most current validation of what this cue can do at the highest level of 3-cushion competition. For serious carom players ready to invest in a championship-grade instrument, the Black Rainbow represents Italian craftsmanship at its finest, backed by over 80 years of Longoni expertise.
As an authorized Longoni dealer, Billiard City is the trusted source for the Black Rainbow. Full configurations, butt-only options, and authentic Certilogo-verified cues are all available through our website. If you have questions about which shaft option suits your game, our team is here to help.
