Viking Cues: Bold Design and Performance from Madison, Wisconsin

Viking Cues has been building pool cues in Madison, Wisconsin since 1965—making them one of the oldest continuously operating American cue manufacturers. Known for bold designs, innovative series concepts, and an impressive range spanning entry-level Valhalla cues to premium custom-grade instruments, Viking offers something for every player and budget.

Six Decades of American Manufacturing

Viking’s 60-year history in Madison gives them unmatched production experience. Their facility has evolved from a small workshop to a modern manufacturing operation while retaining the hands-on quality control that defines American cue making. Every Viking cue is built, inspected, and shipped from Wisconsin—no offshore production, no imported components.

The Viking Series Structure

Viking organizes their cues into distinct series, each with a clear identity:

• Valhalla – Entry-level cues with genuine Viking construction at accessible prices. The 100 and 200 series provide reliable performance for beginners and casual players
• Bedlam – Bold, aggressive designs with premium materials. For players who want their cue to make a visual statement
• Defender – Classic, refined aesthetics with premium construction. The sophisticated option
• Storm – Dynamic designs with unique color combinations and modern styling
• Impero – Premium Italian-influenced designs with exotic materials
• Ovation – Viking’s performance-focused line with advanced shaft technology
• Twilight – Atmospheric designs with moody color palettes
• Motore – Engineering-forward designs emphasizing performance
• Helix – Distinctive wrapped inlay patterns

This series approach gives Viking one of the widest product ranges in the industry. Whatever your budget and style preference, there’s likely a Viking series that matches.

ViKORE Shaft Technology

Viking’s ViKORE performance shaft uses a carbon fiber core surrounded by premium maple—delivering low deflection while maintaining the traditional feel Viking players expect. The ViKORE comes in multiple tip sizes and is compatible across Viking’s premium series.

DeCues Collaboration and Special Editions

Viking regularly collaborates with artists and designers for special edition cues. The DeCues Eagle and various TF (Tony Fabrizio) signature models showcase Viking’s willingness to push creative boundaries beyond standard cue designs.

Carmeli Series

The Carmeli series represents Viking’s luxury tier—cues featuring genuine gemstone inlays (diamonds, in the case of the Carmeli Red Diamond and Carmeli Silver Diamond). These are collector’s items that happen to be functional playing cues—art and sport combined at the highest level.

Why Viking Stands Out

• Range – From $140 Valhalla to premium Carmeli, Viking covers every price point
• Design variety – More visual options than any other single brand
• American heritage – 60 years of Wisconsin manufacturing
• Series identity – Each line has a clear personality, making selection intuitive

Shop Viking at Quarter King Billiards

We carry Viking’s extensive lineup at Quarter King Billiards—from affordable Valhalla starters to premium Impero and Carmeli cues. Browse our complete Viking collection and compare with McDermott, Pechauer, and other Wisconsin-made brands.

About Corey Bernstein

Corey Bernstein is a competitive pool player, billiards equipment specialist, and co-owner of Quarter King Billiards in Wilmington, North Carolina. With over a decade of experience in the sport, Corey has competed in regional APA and BCA sanctioned tournaments and maintains an intimate knowledge of cue construction, shaft technology, and table mechanics. As a certified dealer for brands including Predator, McDermott, Jacoby, Viking, Lucasi, Meucci, Joss, and Cuetec, Corey personally tests and evaluates every cue that comes through the shop. His hands-on approach to the business means he has racked thousands of hours behind the table — breaking in shafts, comparing tip compounds, and dialing in the nuances that separate a good cue from a great one. When he is not behind the counter or on the table, Corey is researching the latest advances in low-deflection technology, carbon fiber shaft construction, and cue ball physics. His articles on Quarter King Billiards combine real-world playing experience with deep product knowledge to help players at every level find the right equipment for their game.