I went through a number of cases in the last few years, including cases from various case makers on AzB. I had never tried out an Instroke case, and my only experience with one was an older Instroke that a friend bought off of ebay. It was in really rough shape, but held his cues securely. So, I decided to pick one up, from Seybert's, in March of this year (2014).
I'm going to use "John Barton's Criteria for Evaluating a Cue Case."
Why, you ask? Because it is a sticky thread in this sub-forum.
http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?p=2228001#post2228001
*It appears that John's thread has been removed, but I will leave his criteria here, because it is valuable to case buyers.*
Here is my review after 4 months of normal use:
1. How well does it protect?
Excellent
2. How strong are the handles, straps and latches?
So far, they have proved adequate.
3. How comfortable is the case to use?
Slightly better than any Vinyl case I have used. The shoulder pad is small and not padded well enough to make comfort a key factor.
Is it easy to insert and remove the cues?
Yes, very easy.
Are the handles comfortable to the hand?
Yes, both the top and side carry handles are comfortable. However, I have a concern about the liner used between sides of the handles. The liner seems to be a nylon type material and is fraying slightly. I will have to take pictures.
Does the case sit comfortably on the shoulder and not slip off?
The strap is not as adjustable as it should be, therefor it may be awkward for some.
How is the balance?
Bottom heavy. However, every case I have used is similarly balanced.
Is it easy to get into the pockets?
Easy, but I would prefer full zippers around three sides to allow for maximum access.
4. How well done is the fit and finish?
Adequate. This is a mass production leather case made to be used.
For a tube case does the interior and exterior fit snugly together or is it loose?
Yes, they are mated well and are adequate for it's purpose.
Are all the edges finished well?
Yes.
Any errant metal pieces sticking out?
No.
Are the rivets well done or are they sloppy?
Well done.
Is the stitching straight and tight?
Fairly well for a mass production case.
Are all the parts lined up right?
To an extent. As mentioned many times previously, it is a mass production case and is not the quality of a handmade custom case.
OVERALL OPINION:
Buy one if you have the money, like the style of an Instroke case, and don't want to wait months or even years to get your case. This was my alternative when two cases, that I ordered, were never fulfilled. While I prefer custom items and enjoy the experience of dealing with the maker, this is a great alternative.
I'm going to use "John Barton's Criteria for Evaluating a Cue Case."
Why, you ask? Because it is a sticky thread in this sub-forum.
http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?p=2228001#post2228001
*It appears that John's thread has been removed, but I will leave his criteria here, because it is valuable to case buyers.*
Here is my review after 4 months of normal use:
1. How well does it protect?
Excellent
2. How strong are the handles, straps and latches?
So far, they have proved adequate.
3. How comfortable is the case to use?
Slightly better than any Vinyl case I have used. The shoulder pad is small and not padded well enough to make comfort a key factor.
Is it easy to insert and remove the cues?
Yes, very easy.
Are the handles comfortable to the hand?
Yes, both the top and side carry handles are comfortable. However, I have a concern about the liner used between sides of the handles. The liner seems to be a nylon type material and is fraying slightly. I will have to take pictures.
Does the case sit comfortably on the shoulder and not slip off?
The strap is not as adjustable as it should be, therefor it may be awkward for some.
How is the balance?
Bottom heavy. However, every case I have used is similarly balanced.
Is it easy to get into the pockets?
Easy, but I would prefer full zippers around three sides to allow for maximum access.
4. How well done is the fit and finish?
Adequate. This is a mass production leather case made to be used.
For a tube case does the interior and exterior fit snugly together or is it loose?
Yes, they are mated well and are adequate for it's purpose.
Are all the edges finished well?
Yes.
Any errant metal pieces sticking out?
No.
Are the rivets well done or are they sloppy?
Well done.
Is the stitching straight and tight?
Fairly well for a mass production case.
Are all the parts lined up right?
To an extent. As mentioned many times previously, it is a mass production case and is not the quality of a handmade custom case.
OVERALL OPINION:
Buy one if you have the money, like the style of an Instroke case, and don't want to wait months or even years to get your case. This was my alternative when two cases, that I ordered, were never fulfilled. While I prefer custom items and enjoy the experience of dealing with the maker, this is a great alternative.
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