Only 200 Were Made: What Makes the Longoni Como So Rare
Only 200 Longoni Como carom cues exist worldwide. Each one is numbered, and once they're gone, they're gone. That production cap makes the Como a genuine collector's piece and a competition-ready carom cue in one.
The Como also marks a historic first. In Longoni's 80-year history, no cue has ever had its design entrusted to an external creative team. That changed when acclaimed Piemontese designer Paolo Reato was brought on board, a collaboration that mirrors the crossover moments seen in luxury watchmaking, where storied houses partner with outside visionaries to create something neither could produce alone.
The cue's name and aesthetic draw directly from Lake Como, one of Italy's most iconic cultural landmarks, and the connection runs deeper than inspiration. Longoni was founded in 1945 by Alessandro Longoni in Mariano Comense, in the Province of Como, a region celebrated since the 18th century for the Brianza wood-crafting tradition. The Como cue is, in a very real sense, a homecoming.
The Design Story: Lake Como Elegance Meets Billiard Engineering
Paolo Reato's design for the Como channels the timeless elegance of Lake Como's landscape and culture. The result is a cue that functions as a lifestyle object as much as a sports instrument, with clean lines and understated sophistication that set it apart from anything else in Longoni's catalog.
The butt is crafted from premium kotibè wood combined with hornbeam, and there is no wrap. This is a deliberate choice, not a cost-saving measure. Aesthetically, it preserves the cue's visual purity. Technically, it serves a carom-specific purpose: serious 3-cushion players overwhelmingly prefer direct hand-to-wood contact. That uninterrupted feel gives you finer control over the stroke, especially during delicate positional play where millimeters matter.
The Como's dimensions are built to carom standards. The lower collar diameter sits at 32.5 mm, and the overall cue length is 142.5 cm, both specifications that experienced carom players will recognize immediately as purpose-built for the discipline.
Italian craftsmanship has long commanded a premium in precision sports equipment. With the global billiards market valued at $3.8 billion in 2025 and projected to reach $6.1 billion by 2034, demand for "Made in Italy" quality continues to grow. The Como is positioned squarely at the top of that market.
Performance Engineering: The Complete Technical System
The Como is best understood as a unified performance system, not a collection of isolated parts. Three core components work together: the butt, the shaft, and the joint, each engineered to complement the others.
The shaft is the Luna Nera FE71, built from unidirectional carbon fiber (graphite) with a polyurethane core. That core serves two functions: it ensures weight consistency across every shaft produced, and it dampens sound and vibration for a quieter, more controlled hit. The tip is a Fuji Regular Medium at 11.8 mm diameter, a size that delivers precise cue ball contact without sacrificing surface area for spin.
Carbon fiber matters enormously in carom. The discipline demands extreme low deflection because 3-cushion play requires precise cue ball control over long distances, often across three or more rail contacts. Wood shafts have their loyalists, and the debate is real, but carbon fiber's consistency from shot to shot and its resistance to humidity and temperature changes give it a measurable edge in competitive settings.
Connecting the butt to the shaft is the VP2 Titanium joint. It provides an ultra-precise, fast-locking connection with a forward balance design that pushes weight toward the front of the cue. Energy transfer between butt and shaft is virtually complete, meaning less power is lost at the joint. The titanium construction resists corrosion and humidity, and the joint is compatible with other Longoni shafts, so you can swap configurations as your game evolves. The VP2 joint diameter is 22 mm.
Full specs at a glance: total length 142.5 cm, weight range 500 to 540 g, shaft length 70.5 cm, shaft weight approximately 120 g.
One practical note that many sellers overlook: the Luna Nera shaft must be maintained exclusively with Longoni's NUVOLA product. Standard shaft cleaners can damage the carbon fiber surface. NUVOLA is specifically formulated to preserve the shaft's performance characteristics over time.
This level of precision engineering traces back to 1995, when Longoni introduced CNC machines into production. That decision allowed the brand to achieve tolerances that hand tools alone couldn't guarantee, while still preserving the artisan craftsmanship that defines every cue they make. The Como is a direct beneficiary of that philosophy.
The 3Lobite Extension System: Built In, Not Bolted On
The Como includes Longoni's 3Lobite extension system, an innovative mechanism built directly into the cue butt. A 20 cm extension comes included, ready to deploy when you need it.
What makes the 3Lobite system stand out is its discretion. When not in use, it's invisible. The cue's clean aesthetic remains completely intact, unlike aftermarket extension solutions that bolt on and disrupt both the look and the balance of a cue.
For carom players, this is a practical performance feature, not a gimmick. 3-cushion billiards frequently demands extended reach for certain shot angles, and having a reliable, integrated extension system eliminates the need to carry separate accessories. It's a detail that rarely gets explained in product listings, but it makes a real difference at the table.
Authenticity, Warranty, and Why Buying from an Authorized Dealer Matters
Every Longoni Como comes with a Certilogo authenticity certificate. A holographic label code on the cue can be verified at certilogo.com, confirming that your cue is a genuine Longoni product with traceable provenance.
The critical detail: as of November 1, 2024, Longoni no longer issues duplicate Certilogo certificates for any reason. That means the original certificate tied to the cue's first authorized sale is irreplaceable. Purchasing from an unauthorized source puts you at risk of receiving a cue without a valid, verifiable certificate. For a 200-unit limited edition, that's a significant financial and authenticity risk.
The Como package includes a 24-month warranty against manufacturing defects, a Longoni Hard Case with Logo, and the Certilogo authenticity certificate. These protections are only guaranteed when you buy from an authorized dealer.
Billiard City is an authorized Longoni dealer. When you purchase the Como from us, you receive the full factory warranty, a verified Certilogo certificate, and fast 2 to 5 business day shipping from our Boca Raton, FL warehouse. US orders over $99 ship free. Our 4.7-star customer rating across 97 reviews reflects the personalized service we provide on every order, and we stand behind every product we sell with genuine manufacturer backing.
Who Is the Longoni Como For? Collector, Competitor, or Both
The Como carries a dual identity without compromising on either side. It is engineered for serious carom competition, including 3-cushion, straight rail, and other carom disciplines. With only 200 units produced, it is simultaneously a genuine collector's piece with long-term value.
The carom segment accounts for roughly 18.5% to 28% of the global billiards equipment market, with strong demand concentrated in Europe and East Asia. Asia-Pacific is the fastest-growing region at a projected 6.8% CAGR through 2034, meaning the international audience for premium carom cues like the Como is expanding rapidly.
Limited-edition collaborations between established brands and external designers consistently command premium resale value in luxury watches, sports cars, and high-end sports equipment. The Como follows that same pattern: an aspirational purchase for the serious carom player who wants a cue that performs at the highest level and holds its value over time.
For the league player, the 3-cushion enthusiast, or the billiard collector, the Como is designed to be the last carom cue you need to buy.
Final Thoughts: A Cue Worth 200 Numbers
The Longoni Como sits at the convergence of 80 years of Italian cue-making heritage, a landmark external design collaboration with Paolo Reato, and cutting-edge carbon fiber shaft technology. It is rare by design and built for the player who refuses to settle.
With only 200 units produced globally, the window to own a Como is finite. This is not a cue that will be restocked once the run is complete.
We invite you to explore the Longoni Como on the Billiard City website. If you have questions about the cue, the shaft, or anything else, reach out to us directly. As an authorized Longoni dealer, we stand behind every purchase with genuine product assurance and responsive, personal customer service. Your order ships from our Boca Raton warehouse within 2 to 5 business days, and US orders over $99 ship free with the full Longoni factory warranty included.