Which is BEST cuecase? Whitten? Laara? Phi eastwood? Rusty Melton? Jill Hawk? Or?

[slide13]

I’ve had a fair few over the years including Justis, Whitten, Murnak, Fields, JB, etc. for my money Al King all day long. Uses JB interiors so the cue protection is excellent and his style and quality of worksmanship is fantastic!

This was one I got for myself for my 40th birthday 6 years ago and it’s only gotten better with time.

 

[classiccues]

I have always argued that a good cue case has to protect your cues, and over the course of "Regular" usage, hold up as intended. Can a case be designed to stop a bullet, sure. But if that is a requirement then you need a new place to play. Once you get on with what capacity of a case you need, then the protection and visual appeal become important. If you love the game and are proud and like to show off a really nice case, then there are many choices. All these artisans can make you whatever you want. I have a Justis, I have a Fellini, I have multiple butterfly cases, and some others. None of them have failed to do the job, so which is best? They all are, for my requirements.

This Fellini survived a fire with a Balabushka inside... I guess it did its job.

JV

 

[lfigueroa]

Off the top o' my head, I own: a Fellini, Engles, several Whitten, Clements, Melton, and Hawk.

I'd say that as far as protection goes the Whittens are a stand out with the Fellini and Engles coming in next. The rest are envelope style cases so I'm not sure how secure the tongue would stay if put to traumatic circumstances. However, I'm generally not throwing my case and cue off the top of buildings, running over them, or even just joy riding with them in the back of a pick up. So as far as I'm concerned they all do their job when it comes to protection under normal operating conditions.

In terms of looks, they all have their appeal, particularly the alligator Whitten, envelope Melton, and the custom Hawk. And just to wrap this up, the case that has garnered the most comments -- just for good looks -- has been the Hawk.

Lou Figueroa

 

[hang-the-9]

For functionality as well as ruggedness, JB cases. The other cases that you mentioned are more along the lines of a custom cue with inlays rather than just a case.

 

[mattb]

One you dont see mentioned very often is Swift. I really like the one I had him build me. Not the fanciest but it protects the cue and looks good doing it.

 

[Frosty]

I’ve owned a lot of different cases in my journey with this game. Justis was my go to for a long time until he switched from tubes to a soft interior. Whitten then became my choice. I’m now using a Dinko and can’t recommend him enough, he makes an amazing case.

Many seem to like the JB interior but I’ve never been a fan. The fact that a 4x8 JB interior can fit into an exterior that wouldn’t house a 3x6 tube configuration says it all, the cues and shafts are just grouped too tightly together. I’ve been through a lot of situations, but have never had any damage to cues stored and carried in any of the tube cases I have owned. Perhaps I’m not as adventurous as some of you.

 

[Cicerone88]

Overall I think JB cases are the best. John’s always been improving his cases over the years to make them as protective and durable as possible. There are no short cuts and they’re built to last a lifetime. I know most people aren’t rough with their cases, but it’s nice to know your money is well spent on high quality construction, not just aesthetics.

I also think he offers the widest variety of case styles too.

 

[jarhead]

Fellini for me. Does what it's supposed to.

 

[trob]

For protection?

DanBuilt cases are pretty darn good. The most protection you can get is an ATA road case.

View attachment 853513

You can have one made to your specs by an ATA road case maker. Yes I have one. No, never took it to a pool hall. LOL!

EDIT: This is my ATA cue case.

View attachment 853518

If I was collecting cues and wanted storage this would be great but I’m not carrying that thing around all day at a tournament or back and fourth to leagues.

Ernie Gutierrez ships his cues in a whitten. Ill go with his choice for protection.
For looks I like my Jack Justis.
I would like to get a JB but when I last tried to order he seemed very busy. Haven't tried again.
Currently using this 2x4 for playing...I like it but forget who made it.
Friction fit cap

Ordered my jb butterfly case july 4. His delivery time put me to expect it by october 6th… I received an email yesterday saying it’s been shipped and will be here on the 7th. I would say thats pretty damn good. I didn’t get leather. Just didn’t want the maintenance also thats a bit longer.

I’ve owned a lot of different cases in my journey with this game. Justis was my go to for a long time until he switched from tubes to a soft interior. Whitten then became my choice. I’m now using a Dinko and can’t recommend him enough, he makes an amazing case.

Many seem to like the JB interior but I’ve never been a fan. The fact that a 4x8 JB interior can fit into an exterior that wouldn’t house a 3x6 tube configuration says it all, the cues and shafts are just grouped too tightly together. I’ve been through a lot of situations, but have never had any damage to cues stored and carried in any of the tube cases I have owned. Perhaps I’m not as adventurous as some of you.

i changed my jack justis interior to the jb customs interior and it made it perfect. It just annoyed the hell out of me to hear and feel my cues bouncing around in the case.

 

[Zerksies]

Whitten

 

[Chopdoc]

I have always argued that a good cue case has to protect your cues, and over the course of "Regular" usage, hold up as intended. Can a case be designed to stop a bullet, sure. But if that is a requirement then you need a new place to play. Once you get on with what capacity of a case you need, then the protection and visual appeal become important. If you love the game and are proud and like to show off a really nice case, then there are many choices. All these artisans can make you whatever you want. I have a Justis, I have a Fellini, I have multiple butterfly cases, and some others. None of them have failed to do the job, so which is best? They all are, for my requirements.

This Fellini survived a fire with a Balabushka inside... I guess it did its job.

JV

I have always loved those pictures of the Fellini that died protecting a Balabushka.

The Fellini style cases have fallen from popularity, I know. But they are still my favorite.

Many only seem impressed with such a case if it is tooled. Not me, I love them. I am always hunting this type of case.

 

[Chopdoc]

If I was collecting cues and wanted storage this would be great but I’m not carrying that thing around all day at a tournament or back and fourth to leagues.

That was my point.

The original post didn't specify anything at all.

There are actually still some aluminum 1x1, 1x2 and 2x2 suitcase style cases around.

And then there are the plastics.

We don't see a lot of Pelican or Pelican style cases while we are on the subject. I have literally never seen one at my pool hall.

Then there are the Longoni cases, and a myriad of less expensive clones. I have never seen one of these at my pool hall either.

Such cases may not be popular, but they sure as heck are good cue protection, and the cues sure as heck don't rattle around.

The reality is that even though so many talk about protection, they put style first. These styles of cases just aren't as popular.

They even make nice protective covers for them.

Many sizes and styles.

 

[trob]

That was my point.

The original post didn't specify anything at all.

There are actually still some aluminum 1x1, 1x2 and 2x2 suitcase style cases around.

And then there are the plastics.

We don't see a lot of Pelican or Pelican style cases while we are on the subject. I have literally never seen one at my pool hall.

Then there are the Longoni cases, and a myriad of less expensive clones. I have never seen one of these at my pool hall either.

Such cases may not be popular, but they sure as heck are good cue protection, and the cues sure as heck don't rattle around.

The reality is that even though so many talk about protection, they put style first. These styles of cases just aren't as popular.

They even make nice protective covers for them.

Many sizes and styles.

Those longoni cases are nice but pricey..

 

[Chopdoc]

Those longoni cases are nice but pricey..

Yes, and there are clones or "off brand" copies that are cheaper. Not that I support such things, but if you look, they are out there.

And when one considers the cost of a "good" case, I don't think they are actually pricey.

Did you know It's George made one like this back in the day?

 

[The Old Jaybird]

Joe Porper good enough for me. 30 years ago his 2x4 oval cases were EVERYWHERE.