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Jim Griffin started playing pool at the age of 12 at the old
"Spot Club" in Shreveport, Louisiana. Eight years later, he
joined the marines, serving his country for 12 years. In 1991
he opened a lounge and resumed playing pool once again to
keep his "bar box" ( 3 1/2 by 7 ft. coin-operated table) busy.
Eventually, Jim had eight "bar box" tables and one 4 1/2 by
9 ft. table in his establishment, along with 30+ teams playing
in various leagues.
Jim met an out-of-work cue builder who suggested that he buy
a lathe and learn cue making. Jim's appreciation for wood and
woodworking made him think that he just might enjoy building cues. In 1993, he purchased a lathe and
began learning the craft from a cue maker who had been trained under both Richard Black and Bill Schick,
and started Norwela Cues. The name Norwela (Nor-we-la) is a derivative of North West Louisiana.
In 1999, Jim purchased all of the cue making equipment from what was once called "Its George" and set up a
full-blown shop. He now has eight lathes, a pantograph, table saw, chop saw, scroll saw, two band saws,
buffer, rod sander, grinder, drill press, etc. No CNC! He has made several changes to the manner in which
he was taught to make cues, which he believes have given his cues a superior hit. His "Dominoe Cue," or
"The True Gamblers Cue" as he calls it, was built because Jim was told he could not do it!
Jim retired from his lounge/pool room business a few years ago and has been building cues full time since
then. He has time to be more creative with his work, which keeps him active and out of his wife's way.
Jim's cues can be identified by the Norwela logo, the year it was finished, and "Jim Griffin" signature. He is a
member of the International Cuemakers Association.
Jim will replace a defective shaft or cue as long as there is no evidence of abuse.
If you are interested in talking to Jim about a new Norwela cue or cue that needs to be repaired, you can
contact him at jgriffin@norwelacues.com.
