Butterfly Cases ----- Love 'Em or Hate 'Em?

[12squared]

The old AVP cases were and are the nuts. I was never fond of the way that the cues stuck out both ends but they sure worked and were well made. They were dozens of times better than the cheapo copies of them that have been made.

My Instroke Butterflies were modeled after them with the changes being that I added removable boards with elastic loops. And the boards would velcro in so that the user could remove them or add more. Our cases were easy to add extra boards to and effectively double the capacity.

I also put the handle on the same side as the strap and added pockets on the outside.

That was my "improvements" to the AVP style. I am not so sure that they could be called improvements but they were what I felt made the style a little more user friendly.

Now my challenge is how to make this case act like a top loading case but still be light and semi-flexible. As well I have an idea for fully displaying the cues so that dealers can use them without anything breaking up the flow of their work.

But as in all things there are tradeoffs and sometimes one can overengineer something too far.

So I might be able to show you all a couple new versions of the butterfly this week or it might need to wait a week or two more.

Personally I have always been ambivalent about butterfly cases. I like the fact that they can hold so much. I like the flexibility with them. I have just always found them a bit on the boring side as they are rectangular. I don't much like box cases for this reason as well.

But, done well, they turn out very nice and are quite effective and efficient.

John,

You made the best improvement - pockets on the outside! And of course, you used very rugged leather, yours our my 2nd favorite butterfly cases just after AVP. I do like the way yours can add boards for more capacity. I can't wait to see what you come up with next.

The way the cues stick out of the material on the AVPs were of no consequence because of the way the slots were configured, butts would never touch anything unless maybe when the case squished. I have never had a problem with it.

Dave

 

[woody_968]

Here are the pics of the Omega case.

Thanks 1hit, that is closer to the interior that I have been looking for. But on the website I didnt see any exterior pockets. Did I miss them?

 

[woody_968]

This case looks like a knock off of the original American Vinyl Products (AVP) case made by George Aronak from Los Angeles area over 30 years ago.
Dave

That might be the case I was thinking of. If you dont use yours Id be happy to work out a deal with you :thumbup:

 

[JimS]

There weren't any exterior pockets on the AVP cases... at least not the two that I have seen.

I have two of them,( maybe three. think a case I bought from the Bert Kellerman collection on ebay this weekend was a AVP with the label missing). None have exterior pockets. They came with a pouch that had Velcro on one side so it could be affixed anywhere in the interior.

Nope... not for sale. :groucho:

 

[12squared]

That might be the case I was thinking of. If you dont use yours Id be happy to work out a deal with you :thumbup:

you wouldn't be the first to make that offer. But thanks.

 

[12squared]

There weren't any exterior pockets on the AVP cases... at least not the two that I have seen.

I have two of them,( maybe three. think a case I bought from the Bert Kellerman collection on ebay this weekend was a AVP with the label missing). None have exterior pockets. They came with a pouch that had Velcro on one side so it could be affixed anywhere in the interior.

Nope... not for sale. :groucho:

I don't think anyone said that AVP cases had external pockets, but maybe I'm wrong. Mine has two large flat pockets and one for chalk and stuff all velcrow to the inside. Anyting else I need to carry will fit inside somewhere. I'll try to take a few pics for all to see the original!

Dave

 

[12squared]

Here's a few pics. I started to laugh because I took these pics on a desk that had a picture of when I was a little boy - I've been teased my whole life that I looked like Little Ricky from the I love Lucy show .

This is a great case: handles to carry upright & sideways, nice strap, light weight, can be over stuffed (I've had 5 full cues in it), the internal pockets, and a thick insert to help pad the outside and protect the cues a little better. Usually one flat one and the optional chalk one on the end but I have two of the big flat ones. I did notice I had a little stain on the material but I have never cleaned it so I'm sure if I cared it could be removed.

Dave

 

[woody_968]

you wouldn't be the first to make that offer. But thanks.

I dont need to be the first,,,, I need to be the last

BTW thanks for the pics, it turns out that is the case that I remember my friend having. Now I just have to find someone that wants to sell one LOL

 

[12squared]

I bought this case out of Allen Gilbert's trunk in the early 90's. I had a 2x4 made from very fine leather, but it was too thin to hold up...the handle that layed flat kept pulling out. I could sell you that one but the zipper is broken too .

By the way, Allen Gilbert had one of these bad boys in elephant hide. That thing was indestructable and looked way cool!

Dave

 

[JimS]

Here's a few pics. I started to laugh because I took these pics on a desk that had a picture of when I was a little boy - I've been teased my whole life that I looked like Little Ricky from the I love Lucy show .

This is a great case: handles to carry upright & sideways, nice strap, light weight, can be over stuffed (I've had 5 full cues in it), the internal pockets, and a thick insert to help pad the outside and protect the cues a little better. Usually one flat one and the optional chalk one on the end but I have two of the big flat ones. I did notice I had a little stain on the material but I have never cleaned it so I'm sure if I cared it could be removed.

Dave

Nice case. I have a 2x4 in that material and a 3x6 in vinyl alligator print. I bought one off ebay the other day that might be a AVP or it might not. It's a vinyl 2x4.

 

[1hit1der]

Thanks 1hit, that is closer to the interior that I have been looking for. But on the website I didnt see any exterior pockets. Did I miss them?

There are not exterior pockets on the Omega case, save for a business card holder When Michael was first selling these, I don't think any other model had this interior, so you might be out of luck.

 

[8Ball48043]

I will be needing a larger case soon, and had considered possibly going with a butterfly-style case, partly to help reduce weight. I would like to hear from anyone who has or has had one, and your opinions, whether yea or nay.

I can't use a butterfly case because I keep my assembled cues in my case when I am not at the table. I believe the additional protection provided by keeping cues in the case is well worth it. Only trouble is: You need to find a case where the cue butt will go into the case butt down.

I currently own: a Whitten 2x4, Dennis Swift 2x4, and a Castillo 3x6, all of which allow me to store my cues in this manner.

 

[ridewiththewind]

I can't use a butterfly case because I keep my assembled cues in my case when I am not at the table. I believe the additional protection provided by keeping cues in the case is well worth it. Only trouble is: You need to find a case where the cue butt will go into the case butt down.

I currently own: a Whitten 2x4, Dennis Swift 2x4, and a Castillo 3x6, all of which allow me to store my cues in this manner.

Thanks for your input! I did the same thing for a short time...however, since it still required me to lean the case against the wall, it now exerted even more stress on the exposed shafts...not only supporting a butt now, but an entire case. Since I did not want the add any more stress to the shafts, and even the joints...I discontinued this practice.

Lisa