A Hall of Famer's Seventh Signature: Meet the Longoni Sparkle Curly
When Niels Feijen was inducted into the BCA Hall of Fame in 2023, he made history as the first Dutch-born player to receive the honor, earning his place on 79% of submitted ballots. Known as "The Terminator," Feijen's résumé speaks for itself: two WPA World Championship titles (Straight Pool in 2008, 9-Ball in 2014) and World Pool Masters victories in 2013 and 2018.
The Longoni Sparkle Curly pool cue is the 7th signature model Longoni has built for Feijen, a partnership stretching back to at least 2014. That kind of longevity between a manufacturer and a top-tier professional is rare in cue sports.
This cue sits at the intersection of serious performance and collectible craftsmanship. The sections below break down what makes the Sparkle Curly distinct in construction, feel, and value.
80 Years of Italian Craftsmanship Behind Every Cue
Longoni SRL was founded in 1945 by Alessandro Longoni in Mariano Comense, a small town near Como in northern Italy. Over 80 years later, every cue the company produces, including the Sparkle Curly, is still manufactured at that original location under strict quality control.
"Made in Italy since 1945" is not a tagline here. It is a verifiable fact backed by decades of consistent output. In a market where mass-produced cues dominate the mid-range, Longoni's heritage-driven approach is what earns the Custom Pro category designation.
Worth noting: the European hornbeam used in the Sparkle Curly's butt section is not at risk of extinction. Longoni sources sustainable materials, a commitment that matters to players who think long-term about both their equipment and the environment.
What Is URAL Wood, and Why Does It Matter?
If you have looked at Longoni spec sheets, you have probably seen "URAL" listed under butt materials without much explanation. Most retailers leave it at that. Here is what it actually means.
URAL is Longoni's proprietary brand name for European hornbeam (Carpinus betulus) that has undergone a deep staining process. The treatment involves alternating cycles of pressurization and depressurization, forcing stain deep into the wood's grain structure. Longoni introduced this process into their product line in fall 2019, making it a relatively recent but now signature material innovation.
Why hornbeam? Its density and dimensional stability make it an ideal choice for the butt section of a cue. Hornbeam resists warping over time and provides consistent weight distribution, which translates directly to a predictable, balanced feel in your hands.
The deep staining gives URAL a rich, dark appearance that contrasts sharply with the lighter Curly Maple used in the grip section. That visual contrast is not purely decorative; it signals two carefully chosen woods working together for different structural purposes.
The No-Wrap Grip: Curly Maple and the Feel Serious Players Prefer
The Sparkle Curly's grip section is exposed Curly Maple. No leather. No Irish linen. Just natural wood, finished and ready to play.
This no-wrap design has been gaining traction among competitive players for good reason. Direct wood contact gives you unfiltered tactile feedback during your stroke. Many players find that a bare wood grip handles moisture better than linen or leather, especially during long sessions where hands tend to warm up.
The Sparkle line offers three wrap configurations, and the differences are worth understanding:
- No Wrap (Curly Maple) at $995: Best for players who want maximum feel and a clean aesthetic. The most affordable entry point into the Sparkle line.
- Leather Wrap at $999: Suited for players who prefer a slightly cushioned, traditional grip with good moisture absorption.
- Irish Linen Wrap at $1,097: The classic choice for players who like texture and a secure hold, at a $102 premium over the no-wrap version.
Beyond the tactile benefits, Curly Maple's distinctive figuring makes the cue immediately recognizable on any table. The natural grain patterns are unique to each piece of wood, so no two Sparkle Curly cues look exactly alike.
Luna Nera Shaft: Graphite, Carbon Fiber, or Both?
If you have spent any time on billiard forums, you have likely seen the debate: is the Luna Nera a "graphite" shaft or a "carbon fiber" shaft? The confusion is understandable, since Longoni's own marketing materials have used both terms at various points.
The straightforward answer: the Luna Nera is a unidirectional carbon fiber shaft. "Graphite" appears in some Longoni descriptions as colloquial shorthand, but the construction is carbon fiber. Five years of R&D went into this shaft, beginning in 2015, with the official launch in 2020. It is backed by a 24-month manufacturer's warranty against defects.
The specs tell the performance story:
- Tip diameter: 12.4mm
- Shaft length: 29 inches (735mm)
- Ferrule length: 13.5mm
- VP2 joint diameter: 21.3mm
- Shaft weight: 4.2 oz (119 gr)
- Profile: American
The VP2 joint system deserves specific attention. Its design prioritizes efficient energy transfer from butt to shaft while maintaining a firm, wobble-free lock. Most competitor listings skip over joint systems entirely, but this is a component that directly affects how the cue feels at impact.
How does the Luna Nera compare to shafts like the Predator Revo or Cynergy in terms of deflection? Community opinions vary, and honest comparisons depend heavily on individual stroke mechanics. Rather than making blanket claims, we encourage players to test the Luna Nera against their current shaft. Low-deflection performance is real, but "best" is personal.
Complete Package: What Comes in the Box
The Sparkle Curly ships as a complete, ready-to-play package. Here is everything included:
- Kamui Original Soft tip (12.4mm, pre-installed): Kamui is a premium Japanese tip brand trusted by competitive players worldwide. This is not a budget placeholder tip.
- Longoni 3Lobite extension system: A three-piece modular extension that threads into the butt end of the cue, giving you additional reach for awkward table positions without significantly changing the cue's balance profile.
- Joint protectors
- Soft case with Longoni logo
- Longoni patch
- Individual cue certificate
Total cue weight runs 18 to 19 oz, with a full length of 58 inches (147.3 cm). Gross packaged weight is approximately 1 lb 6 oz (630 gr).
Billiard City is an authorized Longoni dealer, which means every Sparkle Curly we sell is a genuine product with full factory warranty coverage. You are not dealing with gray-market imports or questionable sourcing.
Pricing and Value: How the Sparkle Curly Compares
The Longoni Sparkle Curly pool cue with Luna Nera shaft retails for $995.00 at Billiard City. For context, the same configuration carries an MSRP of approximately $1,075 on European marketplaces (converted from 980 Euros at the time of publication), making the USD pricing competitive.
The S2 wood shaft variant is listed at $895, though it is currently sold out. That puts the Luna Nera carbon fiber upgrade at roughly $100 more. Standalone carbon fiber shafts from competing brands often run $400 to $600 or more, so that $100 gap represents strong value.
At the $995 price point, the Sparkle Curly competes with pro-signature cues from Predator, Mezz, and McDermott. A key differentiator: the Sparkle Curly includes a Kamui tip, 3Lobite extension system, joint protectors, and a soft case. Many competitors sell those accessories separately, adding $100 to $200 to the true cost of ownership.
Purchasing from an authorized dealer like Billiard City protects your warranty and guarantees product authenticity. At this price point, that assurance matters. We ship from our Boca Raton, FL warehouse, and US orders over $99 qualify for free shipping.
Is the Longoni Sparkle Curly the Right Cue for You?
The ideal buyer is a serious recreational player, league competitor, or collector who values Italian craftsmanship, natural wood aesthetics, and a high-performance carbon fiber shaft. At $995, this is a considered purchase, not an impulse buy.
What justifies the investment is the total package: Niels Feijen's direct design input, URAL hornbeam construction, the Luna Nera shaft, and a full accessory kit that leaves nothing to add on day one.
If you are comparing wrap variants or weighing the Luna Nera against the S2 shaft, our customer service team is happy to walk you through the differences. Reach out anytime for personalized guidance.
This cue was designed by a Hall of Famer, built at a factory operating since 1945, and engineered for players who take the game seriously.