The Terminator's 7th Signature Cue: What Is the Longoni Sparkle Linen?
The Longoni Sparkle Linen Pool Cue is the 7th signature model born from the ongoing collaboration between Longoni and Niels Feijen, the Dutch player known as "The Terminator." Feijen is a two-time World Pool Champion (World Straight Pool 2008, WPA World 9-Ball 2014), the first Dutch-born player inducted into the BCA Hall of Fame, and a Mosconi Cup legend with 14 appearances, 8 wins, and 4 MVP honors.
The Sparkle Linen sits within Longoni's Custom Pro Series, the brand's top professional-grade line combining Italian craftsmanship with advanced materials and precision engineering. First produced in 2020, the cue arrived alongside the launch of the Luna Nera carbon shaft, marking a significant moment in Longoni's product evolution.
This guide helps serious players determine whether the Sparkle Linen suits their game. We unpack the engineering, shaft options, and wrap choice in detail. The Sparkle Linen is available at billiard.city, an authorized Longoni dealer.
80 Years of Italian Craftsmanship Behind Every Sparkle Cue
Longoni was founded in 1945 by Alessandro Longoni in Mariano Comense, near Milan, in the Brianza region. This area has been celebrated since the 18th century for its wood craftsmanship, and Longoni's roots run deep in that tradition. Over 80 years of continuous cue manufacturing gives the brand a provenance that mirrors the authenticity buyers seek in premium sporting goods.
Every Longoni shaft is produced entirely in Italy. Each shaft's processing cycle lasts at least 24 months from the initial wood cutting to the finished product. That timeline tells you something important: Longoni prioritizes quality over speed at every stage of production.
The Sparkle Linen is a direct product of this meticulous Italian manufacturing tradition. It is not a mass-produced cue with a signature decal. Longoni's Custom Pro Series represents the pinnacle of the company's heritage, the point where decades of woodworking tradition meets modern engineering technology.
Hexa-Core Ural Construction: The Engineering Inside the Butt
The term "Hexa-Core Ural construction" appears on the spec sheet, but most retailers never explain what it actually means. Here is the breakdown: the butt of the Sparkle Linen combines two proprietary systems. The X-CORE metal system and the XYLOCORE system work together inside the butt to form the Hexa-Core structure.
Why does this matter? The dual-system construction delivers three measurable benefits: enhanced stability throughout the stroke, reduced vibration at the moment of contact, and more efficient energy transfer from your arm through the cue and into the cue ball. These are not abstract marketing claims. Players who have hit with a Hexa-Core butt notice the difference in feedback immediately.
The physical specs of the butt are worth noting for comparison shoppers: lower collar diameter of 30.5 mm, butt length of 735 mm (rubber bumper excluded), and a total cue length of 58 inches (147.3 cm).
One practical feature that often gets overlooked is the 3Lobite extension system integrated into the butt. This makes the Sparkle Linen compatible with Longoni XTENDO extensions, giving players additional reach flexibility during tournament play. If you have ever stretched for a shot and wished for an extra few inches, this feature matters.
All three Sparkle variants (Linen, Leather, and Curly Maple/no wrap) share this identical Hexa-Core Ural butt construction. The engineering foundation is the same regardless of which wrap you choose.
The VP2 Joint System: Precision You Can Measure
The VP2 stainless steel joint is one of those components that separates a professional-grade cue from everything else. Its threads are electropolished, a process that removes micro-burrs from the thread surface. The result is a cleaner, more consistent shaft-to-butt connection that protects both components over thousands of assembly cycles.
Each VP2 joint carries laser-engraved numbering for production traceability. This is part of Longoni's broader philosophy of accountability; the same approach is applied to the Luna Nera shaft's unique serial number. You can trace your cue's production history through these markings.
For weight-sensitive players, the VP2 is also available in ultra-light Grade 5 titanium. This option is relevant for anyone who needs to fine-tune their cue's balance point without adding mass at the joint. The Luna Nera shaft's joint diameter measures 21.3 mm, a spec worth confirming if you are comparing across brands or building a custom setup.
S2 vs. Luna Nera: Choosing the Right Shaft for Your Game
This is the most important decision you will make when purchasing the Sparkle Linen. Both shafts are available at billiard.city, and each suits a different player profile.
The S2 Shaft
The S2 is built from 10 layers of highly selected Canadian Hard Rock Maple with a 12.8 mm tip diameter (American profile). Its laminated construction provides consistency across the shaft's surface, and the minimum cue weight starts from 18 oz. As a standalone purchase, the S2 retails at approximately $290 to $300.
Choose the S2 if you prefer the traditional feel of maple, a slightly larger tip diameter, and a more familiar deflection profile. Many experienced players who grew up on maple shafts find the S2's feedback natural and predictable.
The Luna Nera Shaft
The Luna Nera is a unidirectional carbon/graphite shaft with a 12.4 mm tip diameter, weighing just 4.2 oz (119 g). Ferrule length is 13.5 mm, and total cue weight with the Luna Nera comes to 19 oz (540 g). Standalone retail is approximately $490.
A quick note on terminology: you will see "carbon fiber" and "graphite" used interchangeably in billiard communities when discussing the Luna Nera. Both terms refer to the same material class in this context. The Luna Nera uses unidirectional carbon fiber, and calling it "graphite" is not incorrect.
The Luna Nera's development story is significant. Longoni invested 5 years of R&D starting in 2015 before launching the shaft in 2020. It carries a 24-month warranty against manufacturing defects, and every shaft has a unique serial number for traceability.
Choose the Luna Nera if you are seeking low deflection, consistent performance across humidity and temperature changes, and a lighter shaft feel. Carbon shafts do not absorb moisture the way wood does, so your hit stays the same whether you are playing in a dry Arizona pool room or a humid Florida league night.
Price Comparison
The Sparkle Linen with the S2 shaft retails at approximately $835. The Luna Nera version retails at approximately $1,075 to $1,097 on billiard.city.
Why Irish Linen? The Wrap Choice That Serious Players Make
Irish linen has been the preferred grip material for competitive and tournament players for decades, and there is a straightforward reason: linen naturally absorbs moisture from the hand during play. This maintains a consistent grip feel across long sessions, which is critical in tournament conditions where leather or wrapless options can become slippery as your hands warm up.
The other two Sparkle variants offer different experiences. The Leather wrap provides a softer, more cushioned feel preferred by players who like tactile feedback. The Curly Maple variant (no wrap) appeals to players who want direct contact with the wood and a cleaner aesthetic.
If you prioritize stroke consistency and moisture management over looks, the Linen variant is the practical choice. All three Sparkle variants share the same Hexa-Core Ural butt construction and VP2 joint. The wrap is the differentiator, not the engineering underneath.
What's Included: The Full Longoni Sparkle Linen Package
Every Sparkle Linen purchase includes the following, all made in Italy:
- Joint protectors
- Longoni black soft case
- Longoni patch
- Cue certificate
The gross weight of the complete package including the soft case is 1 lb 6 oz (630 g), a useful figure for players who travel to tournaments and need to account for carry weight.
The cue certificate documents the cue's authenticity and production details, consistent with Longoni's traceability philosophy. Buying from an authorized dealer like billiard.city ensures that every included accessory is a genuine Longoni item, not an aftermarket substitute.
One more detail worth highlighting: the Luna Nera shaft's 24-month warranty against manufacturing defects is only valid when purchased through authorized channels. Buying from unauthorized sellers or secondary markets may void that coverage entirely. This is one of the clearest reasons to purchase through billiard.city.
Is the Longoni Sparkle Linen the Right Cue for You?
The ideal buyer for this cue is a competitive league player or professional who wants a pro-endorsed, Italian-engineered cue with a proven tournament pedigree. If that describes you, the Sparkle Linen deserves serious consideration.
You will need to make three key decisions:
- Wrap: Linen (moisture management), Leather (cushioned feel), or Curly Maple (wrapless)
- Shaft: S2 (traditional maple, $835 total) or Luna Nera (carbon fiber, approximately $1,075 to $1,097 total)
- Budget: Both options are premium investments
The Sparkle Linen is not an impulse purchase. Consider what you are getting: over 80 years of Italian craftsmanship, Hexa-Core engineering, a Hall of Fame player's design input, full production traceability, and a warranty backed by authorized dealer support.
If you would like personalized guidance on which shaft or wrap best suits your playing style, our expert team at billiard.city is here to help. We know these cues inside and out and can walk you through the details that matter for your specific game.
Ready to take a closer look? View the Longoni Sparkle Linen Pool Cue on billiard.city.