Case Confusion What Case to Buy, What Case Configuration to Buy

B

Badge474NYPD

Banned
I am considering the purchase of (1) Cue Case with Two Pockets to replace (2) Cheap 1 x 2 Cue Cases with a only One Small Pocket.

Have reviewed the forums archives, and as I mostly play 9 Ball, and carry a Playing Stick/Cue, Break Stick/Cue, and Jump Butt. I am Vacillating between a 2 x 4 configuration that fits my need NOW, or a 3 x 6 configuration that has some room for expansion.

Also considering a several Leather Cases, but leaning toward Synthetic Material because of the Cost Factor.

Any pointers, observations, or input would be appreciated to help me make a choice between Leather verses Synthetic, 2 x 4 verses, 3 x 6, etc.....
 
Case Selection

I recently got the instroke premier 3x5. its about $115 at seyberts. its only a little heavier than the 2x4. material is hd vinyl that looks like blk leather. hasn't rained out here yet but i think it will repel water well. the only negative thing is it doesn't have a seperate zipper compartment on the long bottom pouch for the jump butt. also a lot of people have a case that looks like this so you've got to customize it with a sticker or patch. bye the way, i promise to slow down! one of my old favorite movies was bobby blakes Electra glide in Blue.
 
I too have an Instroke Premier Vinyl Case in the 1x2 config. I have had the case since 1999. Still looks like new. The vinyl they use is a Geman Skai vinyl, it is very, very thick and durable. Has heavy grain to it...truly looks leather. I liked it so much, that I purchased another for my husband's cue. I used to have a 2x3 back when I used to carry a playing cue and break cue. I sold it when I decided that I didn't want to haul that much around...bar stick breaks just fine.

Reasonble price on this case with all the features of the leather Instrokes inside. I too would have to recommend Hawley's. Best price on them on the net, and a choice between Burgundy and Black. The Burgundy case is a very nice deep rich color...kinda like a dark purpleheart.

Lisa
 
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Vinyl cases unfortunately do not last very long. Of course, there is always exception but in general, a leather case is more durable. Of all the leather cases around, I would recommend a Jack Justis. If you are concerned about the weight, please check out his light weight version.
There are a lot of positive reviews on this and other forum of the superior quality of Jack Justis cases.
I know it would cost you more than a vinyl, but if you would put into consideration that it would serve you in many years to come, plus the fact that you can get top dollars when you decide to sell it, it is really not a bad investment. Besides, everyone will comment on your Justis case when you walk into a pool room. A Jack Justis is the Cadillac!
Just my personal opinion. ;)
Richard
 
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Badge474NYPD said:
I am considering the purchase of (1) Cue Case with Two Pockets to replace (2) Cheap 1 x 2 Cue Cases with a only One Small Pocket.

Have reviewed the forums archives, and as I mostly play 9 Ball, and carry a Playing Stick/Cue, Break Stick/Cue, and Jump Butt. I am Vacillating between a 2 x 4 configuration that fits my need NOW, or a 3 x 6 configuration that has some room for expansion.

Also considering a several Leather Cases, but leaning toward Synthetic Material because of the Cost Factor.

Any pointers, observations, or input would be appreciated to help me make a choice between Leather verses Synthetic, 2 x 4 verses, 3 x 6, etc.....
Click to expand...

I just bought a viatorre leather 2x4. I carry a playing cue, jump butt and shaft. and break cue. getting this new case will give me room for an extra shaft. maybe a 314 sometime soon.... I was thinking of something bigger than a 2x4 but really realized I don't need it. I have an old action 2x2 case that I can use for travelling.... don't want to mess up my new case....
 
maybe you could help me. my schmelke luggage style case is coming apart. i prefer the luggage style case, my question is who do you feel makes the world's greatest luggage style case ~~money no object. i know longoni makes a nice one, are there other manufactures? thanks.
 
8-ball bernie said:
maybe you could help me. my schmelke luggage style case is coming apart. i prefer the luggage style case, my question is who do you feel makes the world's greatest luggage style case ~~money no object. i know longoni makes a nice one, are there other manufactures? thanks.
Click to expand...

I bought a vinyl case about 4 years ago at the Derby City Classic in Louisville, Kentucky. It was a 2-by-4, and it was not only light in weight, which is what I wanted, but it was very inexpensive, 50 American dollars. At the Derby City Classic, there are many vendors to choose from for cases, but I chose the lightest in weight. It was great.

The case has now taken a turn for the worse, with a hole in the bottom and the straps coming out of the seams. I am also now looking for a new case.

At this past U.S. Open, I saw quite a few beauties, but we ended up buying a new cue stick instead of a case. However, I did see the Longini vendor booth which was run by Jose who is AzBilliards' "King B." At first, I kind of discounted the Longini case because it was a different shape than I was used to seeing.

Last week, I saw a friend at a local tournament who bought one of these Longini cases from Jose, and it was absolutely beautiful. It was made more like a suitcase, and everything in the case had a place. It is very durable and easy to see everything. I wish I had bought one now. The one my friend had cost 350 American dollars, black with brown trim. Gorgeous!

They make a 2-by-4 Longini with a strap from what I understand, and this is the one I want. Jose's phone number is 267-257-8006, and his e-mail address is JABcues @ aol.com. He is a Longini distributor here, and he has a great selection, in case [pun intended] you are interested! :p

JAM
 
Just bought ...

Due to watching my pennies, I had to go ahead and get
an inexpensive case. I bought the Action Elite ELN35 from
www.pooldawg.com for 79.20 with free shipping (from Colorado).
It's a soft/hard slimline case 3 x 5 with spring loaded butts.
A serious Pool player usually grows out of 2 x 4's sooner or
later. It has tubes for the shafts and butts, can load either way.
It has 2 pockets, small and large. Large has separate side zipper
and pocket for jump cue butt. Handle and good Shoulder strap.
It is black vinyl, 2 styles of vinyl that look better in person than
the pics you will see on the net. The turn catch on the butt side
of the case automatically locks when the top is threaded through
the hole. I am very pleased, and feel like I got a big bang for the buck.
It is also on www.beadsandbillairds.com for 79.99 with free shipping.
Beads and Biiliards is in Washington, just south of Seattle.
It is also on www.eriklee.com for $65, but I think you pay for shipping.
 
thanks, yeah the thing i didn't like about the longoni was when you open it, sometimes the shafts fall out! so say's my friend who owned one. and so i'm not gonna go thru that! i looked at all the cases out there, from $8 to $500 and i decided that one that i like best, although not luggage style, is an elite ELP22 it looks quite nice and i like the rubber looking black handles.
 
nipponbilliards said:
Vinyl cases unfortunately do not last very long. Of course, there is always exception but in general, a leather case is more durable.
Richard
Click to expand...

With your cheaper vinyl cases, that may well be the case. However, I have had my Instroke Premiers for 7yrs and 6 yrs respectively, and these cases are just about bullet proof. The burgundy case shows only rubbing wear from leaning against walls during play. The black case shows no wear at all. They are made to the same exacting standards as the more expensive leather Instroke cases. The Skai vinyl is very, very thick...easily as thick as a heavyweight cowhide. The vinyl looks and feels like leather, but won't scuff and stain like leather will.

My daughter has been using the same Guiseppe case for the better part of 8 yrs, and has had no problems with it. And my son uses a 5yr old Porper that still looks good as new. Bottom line here is...you will get what you pay for. If you stick with the quality vinyl case manufacturers, you should have no problems. Silver Fox makes a very nice case as well, but I think he is moving into leather now...but they are still pretty darn affordable. Check Hawley's for the Silver Fox cases. There are a few players that own them here, because they are made just up the road in Bellingham. They are a really nice quality, affordable leather case with a ton of storage pockets...the most in the industry, I believe.

Lisa
 
I have kept my cue in the same locker at the pool hall for 17 years. The locker has some sharp edges and years ago I scuffed up a leather Fellini. I have found vinyl is much more resistant to scuffing. Now keep my cue in a vinyl Predator 2x4. It is a very functional and well designed case if you can live with the obnoxious logo. I have a Justis 2x4 for dress up but I don’t want to scuff it up in the locker so it just gets out when I travel. I have to dust it off now ...Vegas, Vegas , Vegas in a couple of weeks for the BCAPL tourneys!
 
breakup said:
I have kept my cue in the same locker at the pool hall for 17 years. The locker has some sharp edges and years ago I scuffed up a leather Fellini. I have found vinyl is much more resistant to scuffing. Now keep my cue in a vinyl Predator 2x4. It is a very functional and well designed case if you can live with the obnoxious logo. I have a Justis 2x4 for dress up but I don’t want to scuff it up in the locker so it just gets out when I travel. I have to dust it off now ...Vegas, Vegas , Vegas in a couple of weeks for the BCAPL tourneys!
Click to expand...

You know, if you can find a patch that is as big as that Predator logo, you could have a shoe repairman sew it right over that logo. Better yet, get someone to embroider onto a piece of vinyl or leather your name, or cue mfg name, then you could have it sewn right over the top of that Predator logo. Or, you could just rubber cement it on.
BTW, the reason your Predator is so bulletproof is because it is made by Instroke :-)

Lisa
 
ridewiththewind said:
You know, if you can find a patch that is as big as that Predator logo, you could have a shoe repairman sew it right over that logo. Better yet, get someone to embroider onto a piece of vinyl or leather your name, or cue mfg name, then you could have it sewn right over the top of that Predator logo. Or, you could just rubber cement it on.
BTW, the reason your Predator is so bulletproof is because it is made by Instroke :-)

Lisa
Click to expand...

Actually your avatar would look good as a patch, I’ll think about it :)
 
ridewiththewind said:
With your cheaper vinyl cases, that may well be the case. However, I have had my Instroke Premiers for 7yrs and 6 yrs respectively, and these cases are just about bullet proof. The burgundy case shows only rubbing wear from leaning against walls during play. The black case shows no wear at all. They are made to the same exacting standards as the more expensive leather Instroke cases. The Skai vinyl is very, very thick...easily as thick as a heavyweight cowhide. The vinyl looks and feels like leather, but won't scuff and stain like leather will.

My daughter has been using the same Guiseppe case for the better part of 8 yrs, and has had no problems with it. And my son uses a 5yr old Porper that still looks good as new. Bottom line here is...you will get what you pay for. If you stick with the quality vinyl case manufacturers, you should have no problems. Silver Fox makes a very nice case as well, but I think he is moving into leather now...but they are still pretty darn affordable. Check Hawley's for the Silver Fox cases. There are a few players that own them here, because they are made just up the road in Bellingham. They are a really nice quality, affordable leather case with a ton of storage pockets...the most in the industry, I believe.

Lisa
Click to expand...

I totally agree with the above. You can get cheap leather that wears just as fast as cheap vinyl. If you buy a quality vinyl case, there is no reason it should not serve you for many many years.
 
breakup said:
Actually your avatar would look good as a patch, I’ll think about it :)
Click to expand...

breakup,
I also have her balancing a 9 ball, if you would prefer. :-)

She's my tat, and my team's logo....she's loved wherever we go.

Lisa
 
I jsut purchased a Guiseppe 3x3 all black from JazznPool ( pending funds). Is it made by cheap vinyl or good quality. It s good to hear of hte Guiseppe cases lasting long time and you do want to treat your case like you treat your stick!
 
Giuseppe cases are very good quality vinyl. I have had mine for several years now, and it still looks like new. I'm planning to purchase another one soon, as I need more storage. And without a doubt I will go with another Giuseppe.
 
Instoke Premier, I'd go with the 2x4 just because you'd rarely want to lug an extra playing cue around. The thing looks great, black with silver trim...and is practically bullet proof. Best value by far in cases, imho.

-Roger
 
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