Case details

[RiverCity]

Looking for people's preference on what makes a case good or even great. In addition to the poll, feel free to describe your likes and dislikes. Please refrain from comparing brand X to brand Y.
I'm looking for input on case options, not a pissing match about case makers.
Thanks!
Chuck

 

[$TAKE HOR$E]

Good subject, im sure this would be influential for all case makers. I started out with a heavy 3x5 or 3x7 years ago then the 2x4s now im a big fan of the lightweight butterfly cases. Being able to carry a 3x4,5,6 or 4x8 and weighing the same or less than a 2x4 is a plus. Also, I like the internal pockets much better, keeping the outside of the case much cleaner.

These are the 4 options I picked,
Lightest weight possible - To add to this I would say lightweight but not to the point it jeopardizes the case quality or durability
Saddle style/quality leather work - Is the quality leather work referring to intricate design or just general construction?
No outside pockets, clean and sleek - This is a deciding factor for me as of late, for a case for myself
Quality that is built to last a lifetime - This is a big advantage, especially when buying on the secondary market. It's much easier to try out a case and be able to get most if not all your money back if you decide to move it on if the case is built to last.

To each his own....

 

[Rackemep]

Built to last out of quality leather and protection for my cue's are the biggest things for me...I like some of the fancier leather work but I'm generally hard on my equipment so I chose to keep the looks of my case simple (why tear up a pretty case??) The only thing I wish I would of done different is get the 2x4 instead of the 3x5 because it is heavier than I'd like.

 

[Thepip]

I use the wave case by stearling, this is a very good quality made case that looks as cool as it's features. I have the 3X4 in black on black it has 1 large pocket that can hold a jump cue or extension the top pocket is big enough to hold my keys, chalk, tapper, and other odds and ends to keep my pockets free. The internal padding in the case keeps my cues from rolling and banging around. if i tilt the case over they will not fall out. I have had this case for 2 years now and it looks just as good as it did when i bought it. It has back pack straps for long carries or i can just hold it buy it's padded handle. i give this case 5 out of 5 stars for it's quality look and price point.

 

[jhanso18]

I want a no compromise case.

>>>>>>GOOD PROTECTION<<<<<<<<< is number ONE, on my list. I am as careful as I can be, but I live in an area where it gets icy and crappy, and you never know what will happen with your feet. That being said, there is NO substitute for being precautious.


>extremely detailed tooling, doesn't have to be all tooled up to work, but if I'm paying for a tooled case, I want the best tooling available.

>light weight is HUGE plus for me. I stand around at tournaments, and when I have a fully loaded case it's very important to me. Who likes carrying a 10-15 pound bag around...

>I need enough pocket space to carry my things, but I don't carry a ton of stuff

>I also need a 3x5 or larger. I carry cues to and from the shop for Keith.

>I also like a lid that can be removed to the side, like Volturi, Jack Justic, Jflowers, (Hangs off to the side, not flips back like an instroke.)

>Price is far from my mind when I think of a case. You get what you pay for most of the time. That being said, everyone wants the most bang for their buck...

All the best, and good thread Chuck.

 

[DAVE_M]

JB Rugged for me. Ultrapad interior protects my cues and rain won't ruin the nylon exterior.

I'm not wild about super fancy cases. It's a case. I don't carry my camera equipment in fancy leather cases, so I don't carry my cues like that either. I'd prefer more pockets, so I may get a custom case one day. Needs to be atleast 3x4 or more; Player. Break, and Jump Cue + room for one more in case I find I want to buy or borrow a cue.

 

[RiverCity]

Good subject, im sure this would be influential for all case makers. I started out with a heavy 3x5 or 3x7 years ago then the 2x4s now im a big fan of the lightweight butterfly cases. Being able to carry a 3x4,5,6 or 4x8 and weighing the same or less than a 2x4 is a plus. Also, I like the internal pockets much better, keeping the outside of the case much cleaner.

These are the 4 options I picked,
Lightest weight possible - To add to this I would say lightweight but not to the point it jeopardizes the case quality or durability
Saddle style/quality leather work - Is the quality leather work referring to intricate design or just general construction?
No outside pockets, clean and sleek - This is a deciding factor for me as of late, for a case for myself
Quality that is built to last a lifetime - This is a big advantage, especially when buying on the secondary market. It's much easier to try out a case and be able to get most if not all your money back if you decide to move it on if the case is built to last.

To each his own....

Saddle style refers to the tooled leather cases like Flowers etc.

Built to last out of quality leather and protection for my cue's are the biggest things for me...I like some of the fancier leather work but I'm generally hard on my equipment so I chose to keep the looks of my case simple (why tear up a pretty case??) The only thing I wish I would of done different is get the 2x4 instead of the 3x5 because it is heavier than I'd like.

Thanks!

I use the wave case by stearling, this is a very good quality made case that looks as cool as it's features. I have the 3X4 in black on black it has 1 large pocket that can hold a jump cue or extension the top pocket is big enough to hold my keys, chalk, tapper, and other odds and ends to keep my pockets free. The internal padding in the case keeps my cues from rolling and banging around. if i tilt the case over they will not fall out. I have had this case for 2 years now and it looks just as good as it did when i bought it. It has back pack straps for long carries or i can just hold it buy it's padded handle. i give this case 5 out of 5 stars for it's quality look and price point.

Thanks!

I want a no compromise case.

>>>>>>GOOD PROTECTION<<<<<<<<< is number ONE, on my list. I am as careful as I can be, but I live in an area where it gets icy and crappy, and you never know what will happen with your feet. That being said, there is NO substitute for being precautious.


>extremely detailed tooling, doesn't have to be all tooled up to work, but if I'm paying for a tooled case, I want the best tooling available.

>light weight is HUGE plus for me. I stand around at tournaments, and when I have a fully loaded case it's very important to me. Who likes carrying a 10-15 pound bag around...

>I need enough pocket space to carry my things, but I don't carry a ton of stuff

>I also need a 3x5 or larger. I carry cues to and from the shop for Keith.

>I also like a lid that can be removed to the side, like Volturi, Jack Justic, Jflowers, (Hangs off to the side, not flips back like an instroke.)

>Price is far from my mind when I think of a case. You get what you pay for most of the time. That being said, everyone wants the most bang for their buck...

All the best, and good thread Chuck.

Thanks!

JB Rugged for me. Ultrapad interior protects my cues and rain won't ruin the nylon exterior.

I'm not wild about super fancy cases. It's a case. I don't carry my camera equipment in fancy leather cases, so I don't carry my cues like that either. I'd prefer more pockets, so I may get a custom case one day. Needs to be atleast 3x4 or more; Player. Break, and Jump Cue + room for one more in case I find I want to buy or borrow a cue.

Thanks!

 

[RiverCity]

So general consensus at this point, weight is not a make it or break it deal.
Padded fabric is preferred. I'm wondering if padded tubes are included there?
Saddle style cases
Lots of pockets
Decoration is subjective and a matter of taste
High quality leatherwork

Keep the input coming!
Thanks everybody !
Chuck

 

[classiccues]

Chuck,
There are some very good carbon fiber tubes on the market. They are superior to polymer IMHO.. They are lighter and stronger.

JV

 

[bdorman]

I'm not the target market for anyone who wants to make a living building cue cases (I'm one of the two respondents who checked "I'm not going to pay a lot for this muffler!").

I have a vinyl 2x4 tube case that ran about $50. But I don't travel far, or often, to play.

 

[Rackemep]

The other thing I would change about my case (instroke) is the latching system on the case its self and the pocket..I wish they were lockable for travel...I'm thinking I'll have to buy another case capable of airline travel in the near future

 

[mattb]

Pockets are nice but you have to get into the darn things. The one in your avatar is precisely what I hate about most cases. Try getting into them and finding a small item without frustrating yourself. That single side zipper is infuriating.

I like the saddle leather built to last a lifetime. I prefer simple tooling. I don't care about interior type both tubes or pad are fine by me. I don't mind paying for quality but I don't like being gouged either.

 

[Rackemep]

Pockets are nice but you have to get into the darn things. The one in your avatar is precisely what I hate about most cases. Try getting into them and finding a small item without frustrating yourself. That single side zipper is infuriating.

I like the saddle leather built to last a lifetime. I prefer simple tooling. I don't care about interior type both tubes or pad are fine by me. I don't mind paying for quality but I don't like being gouged either.

My solution to that pesky pocket problem was to put all my small stuff (tip tools, extra chalk, quarters etc.) in a Crown Royal bag...that way when I need something I just pull out the bag and its much easier to get into plus it still fits in the pocket...

 

[LuckyStroke]

I want to get a nice custom case soon. My vincitore 3x5 gets the job done very well so I haven't been in a rush to do so. But, when I do here's what I'd be looking for:

Size, my playing cue with 2 shafts and my J/B are all I carry typically, but I'd like to have the option of carrying a third cue. This is why I like the ultrapad interior. 2x5 or 3x4 without having to commit to a much larger case.

Ease of carry. I suppose weight factors into this as well, but when I put a case on my shoulder, I'd like it to stay there. Most cases I've tried want to slide off. I think changing where the shoulder strap mounts to the case could help as far as balance goes but also a shoulder pad with some grip.

Accessible pockets. Others have mentioned this as well but it would be nice to be able access the items we keep in the pockets. Also, other than storing a jump handle or extension, I don't need the long pocket. I'd like to see it split into two sections so gravity doesn't pull everything to the bottom of that one pocket.

Better "feet" that won't slide out if on a hard floor.

Fancy tooling isn't a big deal to me but other like it. Nice tough leather with some protection at the top and bottom where the case may lean and cause wear on the leather.

These are just my personal preferences of course but I hope it helped

 

[Cornerman]

Which choice is "protection"?

 

[RiverCity]

I'm not the target market for anyone who wants to make a living building cue cases (I'm one of the two respondents who checked "I'm not going to pay a lot for this muffler!").

I have a vinyl 2x4 tube case that ran about $50. But I don't travel far, or often, to play.

Thanks for the input!

The other thing I would change about my case (instroke) is the latching system on the case its self and the pocket..I wish they were lockable for travel...I'm thinking I'll have to buy another case capable of airline travel in the near future

So, would a locking zipper setup, similar to a gun case solve your issue?

Pockets are nice but you have to get into the darn things. The one in your avatar is precisely what I hate about most cases. Try getting into them and finding a small item without frustrating yourself. That single side zipper is infuriating.

I like the saddle leather built to last a lifetime. I prefer simple tooling. I don't care about interior type both tubes or pad are fine by me. I don't mind paying for quality but I don't like being gouged either.

Would a round corner pocket that opens on 3 sides rid your frustration?

I want to get a nice custom case soon. My vincitore 3x5 gets the job done very well so I haven't been in a rush to do so. But, when I do here's what I'd be looking for:

Size, my playing cue with 2 shafts and my J/B are all I carry typically, but I'd like to have the option of carrying a third cue. This is why I like the ultrapad interior. 2x5 or 3x4 without having to commit to a much larger case.

Ease of carry. I suppose weight factors into this as well, but when I put a case on my shoulder, I'd like it to stay there. Most cases I've tried want to slide off. I think changing where the shoulder strap mounts to the case could help as far as balance goes but also a shoulder pad with some grip.

Accessible pockets. Others have mentioned this as well but it would be nice to be able access the items we keep in the pockets. Also, other than storing a jump handle or extension, I don't need the long pocket. I'd like to see it split into two sections so gravity doesn't pull everything to the bottom of that one pocket.

Better "feet" that won't slide out if on a hard floor.

Fancy tooling isn't a big deal to me but other like it. Nice tough leather with some protection at the top and bottom where the case may lean and cause wear on the leather.

These are just my personal preferences of course but I hope it helped

Interesting comment about a grippy shoulder pad. Do you think a piece of rubber on the inside of the pad would be strange on a leather case?

Which choice is "protection"?

That would be tubes or fabric. There's multiple ways of doing each, from different types of tubes to different fabric/padding combinations. You can use PVC pipes, or thin plastic poster tubes. You can have nylon sleeves, or soft padded fabric. Etc.

So far weight still doesn't seem to be a make or break deal
Padded fabric interior
Saddle style
Lots of easily accessible pockets
Decoration is still subjective
And I hunk built to last will always be the winner there


Thanks to everybody that has responded thus far!
Chuck

 

[LuckyStroke]

If a piece of rubber would look weird on the shoulder pad, I think suede would get it done.

 

[mattb]

The last time I went with flap top pockets with zippers down both sides but a couple of round topped pockets with a zipper up and down the sides and over the top would work.

 

[RiverCity]

If a piece of rubber would look weird on the shoulder pad, I think suede would get it done.

Rubber would be strange. With suede, white/light color would be the best option due to the possibility of color bleeding.

The last time I went with flap top pockets with zippers down both sides but a couple of round topped pockets with a zipper up and down the sides and over the top would work.

Good input! It brings the question; should pockets be designed for use way more than any aesthetics? The box pocket tries to blend the two, but you do lose some access do to the size of the opening.

Great input everybody, it's much appreciated!
Chuck

 

[Rackemep]

Thanks for the input!


So, would a locking zipper setup, similar to a gun case solve your issue?



Chuck

that would only work for the long pocket at the bottom of my case...It was pointed out that i could just drill a hole in the latch and top pocket of my case and put a small pad lock through them but I think for travel I'll end up with a locking Pelican case with a foam lining...It might suck having to carry it around to the pool room while I'm on vacation but it'll give me piece of mind when I send my cues out to the baggage handlers at the airport...