Instroke cases

[KRJ]

I used them for years. Quite a good deal for a great case. But 10 years later and they still have not figure out how to build a decent carrying strap, or at least eliminate it all together and just install some strong d-rings so you can buy a good strap and hook it on the case.

The stupid bottom "feet" suck, slides like heck on a tile floor and does not grip much on carpeting either.

Plus, the case is as heavy as sh1t as well.

So, my next new case that I ordered last night is a JB rugged 3x6. Picked the colors myself on their website and will have MC name on front pocket. The design feature lets you see exactly how the case will look with the colors you choose... pretty cool.


PS: Yes, I'm aware JB once owned Instroke.

 

[9Ballr]

I have an original Instroke and don't have any of the problems you describe.
If I want a new strap I just remove the old one and put in a new one.
It's just attached by belt loops.
Sliding on carpet??........lol...are you serious????
If it slides on your carpet just raise the dang thing a little straighter until it doesn't slide.....
I can't remember how many years I've had mine but everything on it, every latch,
every zipper, every pocket......everything.....works as well today as it did the day I got it.
It's been beat up as hell but it's simply been fantastic.

 

[cubswin]

last instroke I had, a premier, is about 12 years old now and still in working shape. Guy I sold it to used it until last week as his carry case, and can't say it had any of the problems you mentioned.

 

[BogeyFree]

I've had my Limited Edition Instroke 2x4 in blue/brown super soft leather for over 10 years now and still love it. Yes it's a tad on the heavy side but it's built like a tank and has attained a nice patina over the years. I've never used the shoulder strap.

 

[KRJ]

last instroke I had, a premier, is about 12 years old now and still in working shape. Guy I sold it to used it until last week as his carry case, and can't say it had any of the problems you mentioned.

That is because the Premier is the vinyl case series and has a different carrying strap then the leather cases and the Vinyl Cowboy cases. The premier case strap, though thin with no padding is still 10 times better than the ones Instroke puts on their expensive cases.

 

[KRJ]

I've had my Limited Edition Instroke 2x4 in blue/brown super soft leather for over 10 years now and still love it. Yes it's a tad on the heavy side but it's built like a tank and has attained a nice patina over the years. I've never used the shoulder strap.

Exactly. Most folks don't cause the strap sucks. Yes, they are good cases, and built to last but when I was looking for a new one they had not changed a thing in over a decade?

I saw JB's strap, saw the rubber pad on the bottom, and 3 pockets and thought wish my Instroke had that... and thus, decided to switch brands. I will use the Instroke for storage.

Instroke are great cases but need to be "updated" them to make them better. If you are not continually improving you are falling behind.

 

[DaveM]

Just got an Instroke leather 2x4 delivered today...hope I like it, (still in the box). Seemed to be the right size. Player, break, extra shaft and jump cue if and when.

 

[cubswin]

Guess I don't get putting down instrokes as a way to say something nice about JB's rugged case. To each his own.

 

[slide13]

To each their own.

I have a JB Rugged 2x5 that I used for the last year but recently switched to Instroke. I like the leather, the tubes, and the strap works great for me. Only thing I'd change are the feet, I agree something rubber that didn't slide on wood/tile floors would be a great improvement. Otherwise, I'm very happy with the two Instrokes I've purchased recently (2x4 and 3x7). JB Ruggeds are great too, still have mine and it certainly excels in a couple areas.

Reason I switched at first is I wanted a bigger case but don't like how the larger Ruggeds have all the butts grouped in the middle. I use my case to hold assembled cues during play sometimes and having them on the ends is nicer for that. Also like the Instroke closure, I can shut the lid without turning the latch, pick up and move the case no problem and open it again quickly. The rugged case needs to be zipped closed and then open again and the zippers sometimes stick a little going around the sharpest part of the curved lid. Not bad at all, but annoying enoug at times that I've grown to appreciate the Instrokes easy lid system.

 

[KRJ]

Guess I don't get putting down instrokes as a way to say something nice about JB's rugged case. To each his own.

Geez, I said they are GREAT cases. But if you fail to change, update or get better, than you get left behind. I've heard about the strap thing for 10 years and assumed they MUST have changed that bad design by now. There are 3 things I dislike about the case that needed to be changed years ago. Other than those 3 things, they are GREAT cases... I just think I can find something better now.

And I don't know if JB cases will be better, I don't have it.

I mean, there are lots of cars that I Like and a few I own that Motor Trend says they need to change this, that or the other thing. I don't take it personally. Most of the time they are right, and car manufacturers usually will update those weakness.

Must be a reason that JB Cases do NOT use the same style of shoulder strap and bottom "feet".. since JB probably designed them 20 years ago.... but he went in another direction with his JB Cases, and I'm guessing a much better direction that I will find out soon enough.

 

[9Ballr]

But if you fail to change, update or get better, than you get left behind.

..."then..."

 

[JB Cases]

To each their own.

I have a JB Rugged 2x5 that I used for the last year but recently switched to Instroke. I like the leather, the tubes, and the strap works great for me. Only thing I'd change are the feet, I agree something rubber that didn't slide on wood/tile floors would be a great improvement. Otherwise, I'm very happy with the two Instrokes I've purchased recently (2x4 and 3x7). JB Ruggeds are great too, still have mine and it certainly excels in a couple areas.

Reason I switched at first is I wanted a bigger case but don't like how the larger Ruggeds have all the butts grouped in the middle. I use my case to hold assembled cues during play sometimes and having them on the ends is nicer for that. Also like the Instroke closure, I can shut the lid without turning the latch, pick up and move the case no problem and open it again quickly. The rugged case needs to be zipped closed and then open again and the zippers sometimes stick a little going around the sharpest part of the curved lid. Not bad at all, but annoying enoug at times that I've grown to appreciate the Instrokes easy lid system.

For what it's worth we make ruggeds with flip top lids as well on request for $50 more. We put the magnetic puzzle latch on it so there is nothing to break.

We also will configure the interior any way that you specify. We have done many custom interiors over the years.

I guess I should advertise more heavily that we offer this.

Here is an example of a Rugged with a flip lip and wave case pockets.

Geez, I said they are GREAT cases. But if you fail to change, update or get better, than you get left behind. I've heard about the strap thing for 10 years and assumed they MUST have changed that bad design by now. There are 3 things I dislike about the case that needed to be changed years ago. Other than those 3 things, they are GREAT cases... I just think I can find something better now.

And I don't know if JB cases will be better, I don't have it.

I mean, there are lots of cars that I Like and a few I own that Motor Trend says they need to change this, that or the other thing. I don't take it personally. Most of the time they are right, and car manufacturers usually will update those weakness.

Must be a reason that JB Cases do NOT use the same style of shoulder strap and bottom "feet".. since JB probably designed them 20 years ago.... but he went in another direction with his JB Cases, and I'm guessing a much better direction that I will find out soon enough.

I switched to a rubber bottom specifically to address the problem of sliding and the problem of the feet coming off and getting loose. Rubber bottoms aren't as pretty but I feel that it's the best solution for an item that sits upright and holds hundreds to thousands of dollars in equipment. I have even put rubber feet on butterfly cases on request.

For the straps and pads, I am always looking to build better ones. I haven't found a perfect solution yet. I am always buying straps and pads to test them out.

Regarding Instroke, I just tried to take everything I developed and learned when I owned it and improve on it. I still consider Instroke cases to be good except for the reduction in padding I have noticed in some newer ones. But for the most part they haven't really changed much since I sold my stake in 2003. Well except for trying to copy my Mason models....that's about the only new thing they have done as far as construction goes.

Thanks for the order RJ.

 

[JB Cases]

To each their own.

I have a JB Rugged 2x5 that I used for the last year but recently switched to Instroke. I like the leather, the tubes, and the strap works great for me. Only thing I'd change are the feet, I agree something rubber that didn't slide on wood/tile floors would be a great improvement. Otherwise, I'm very happy with the two Instrokes I've purchased recently (2x4 and 3x7). JB Ruggeds are great too, still have mine and it certainly excels in a couple areas.

Reason I switched at first is I wanted a bigger case but don't like how the larger Ruggeds have all the butts grouped in the middle. I use my case to hold assembled cues during play sometimes and having them on the ends is nicer for that. Also like the Instroke closure, I can shut the lid without turning the latch, pick up and move the case no problem and open it again quickly. The rugged case needs to be zipped closed and then open again and the zippers sometimes stick a little going around the sharpest part of the curved lid. Not bad at all, but annoying enoug at times that I've grown to appreciate the Instrokes easy lid system.

I am not quite following you about the cue placement in the Rugged 2x5. The configuration is butts on the outside with one in the center and shafts in between. It is possible to carry fully assembled cues to matches.

I do agree about the zipper being slightly sticky on the ends of the oval for the 2x5 size. If I did it over I would have made the oval a little wider to flatten out the ends. We may overhaul that profile in 2016 to make that change.

 

[JB Cases]

I have an original Instroke and don't have any of the problems you describe.
If I want a new strap I just remove the old one and put in a new one.
It's just attached by belt loops.
Sliding on carpet??........lol...are you serious????
If it slides on your carpet just raise the dang thing a little straighter until it doesn't slide.....
I can't remember how many years I've had mine but everything on it, every latch,
every zipper, every pocket......everything.....works as well today as it did the day I got it.
It's been beat up as hell but it's simply been fantastic.

last instroke I had, a premier, is about 12 years old now and still in working shape. Guy I sold it to used it until last week as his carry case, and can't say it had any of the problems you mentioned.

I've had my Limited Edition Instroke 2x4 in blue/brown super soft leather for over 10 years now and still love it. Yes it's a tad on the heavy side but it's built like a tank and has attained a nice patina over the years. I've never used the shoulder strap.

Many people have told me that they have used their Instroke cases for many years reliably. That makes me very proud. I am happy to know that a brand I created in 1991 is still going strong.

RJ is right however that some people aren't happy with the strap setup they use. While it is possible to use different straps, and I have sold JB Case straps to Instroke users, they could probably do with an overhaul of the belt style system to be more comfortable and easier to use.

Personally I find straps and pads to be a vexing problem. Either I can make them super super comfy and "ugly" OR I can make them adequate and pretty to match the case design. Most people prefer adequate and matching.

I think I will start offering the super comfy version as an option though just because super comfy feels really really good.

Surprisingly one of the most comfortable straps I built had no padding at all. I am building two of these for a customer now. Somehow I lost the prototype I did though :-(

 

[slide13]

I am not quite following you about the cue placement in the Rugged 2x5. The configuration is butts on the outside with one in the center and shafts in between. It is possible to carry fully assembled cues to matches.

I do agree about the zipper being slightly sticky on the ends of the oval for the 2x5 size. If I did it over I would have made the oval a little wider to flatten out the ends. We may overhaul that profile in 2016 to make that change.

You're absolutely right, works great on the 2x5!

I was looking for a bigger case and got an Instroke 3x7 first because the rugged 3x6 had the butts all on the middle. Then I went back to 2x4 setup and got an Instroke in that configuration. But in reality the 2x5 rugged is slightly better functionally in that size....I use the Instroke because I like how the leather looks and feels. But I think about going back to my rugged sometimes....the rubber bottom is just about th best that ever and the third pocket isn't bad either!

Really I keep checking the "in stock" section of your website for the right leather 2x5 to pop up. If a nice plan brown one ever comes up I'll probably have to snag it.

 

[PaulieB]

Can't go wrong with JB ... I hope you enjoy your new case!

 

[KRJ]

For what it's worth we make ruggeds with flip top lids as well on request for $50 more. We put the magnetic puzzle latch on it so there is nothing to break.

.

O.M.G. John, I had no idea from the order form I could order a "flip top" lid. I placed the order yesterday and will gladly play another $50 for the flip top lid with magnetic closure.

Also, did you get my email about my personalized "lettering" going vertical on the large pocket?

Please let me know, thanks,

 

[JB Cases]

O.M.G. John, I had no idea from the order form I could order a "flip top" lid. I placed the order yesterday and will gladly play another $50 for the flip top lid with magnetic closure.

Also, did you get my email about my personalized "lettering" going vertical on the large pocket?

Please let me know, thanks,

I will go look at it now. Not sure if you used the designer or not but if so that it a work in progress and I have to add that option later.

 

[KRJ]

I will go look at it now. Not sure if you used the designer or not but if so that it a work in progress and I have to add that option later.

Yeah, I tried to use the form, but decided to use the "designer" instead... pretty cool but the flip top lid I really need. Let me know, thanks,

 

[The Renfro]

Yeah, I tried to use the form, but decided to use the "designer" instead... pretty cool but the flip top lid I really need. Let me know, thanks,

Basically if you can dream it they can make it as far as cases are concerned... They just just just got a 12 needle embroidery machine so if you want to do the Magic Chalk logo on your case that is now doable....