I see you have one of Gil's earlier style cases.
When Gil first sent me my case, I didn't like the strap arrangement and asked him to make the case over or change the strap.
Gil asked me what I wanted and I asked that the carry strap be installed on the spine of the case which he did for my case.
Having the strap on the spine of the case makes for such an easier carry and also allows the case to lay flat on a pool table.
I like this case because for a 6 x 12, it is very compact and the leather is just beautiful; I get compliments on this case all the time.
Matt B.
My case spawned the backpack zipper strap. It was the first with the unzip into backpack strap. I wanted his shoulder straps in a backpack! He said it would be too big and he would make the pads smaller to fit the case. He cut it in half and thought hey why not add a zipper and it was AWESOME!
I did not like the zipper scratching me and wanted more comfort! So, i had him make me two new straps shown! I wanted a top handle like done on a backpack. the top handle originally hooked onto the same brackets for the backpack! It would balance funny and I went back to Gil and had another bracket placed on the other side like my toiletry bag and I loved it. Gil originally wanted to do it your version. But, I am glad he did it this way with the brackets. Much stronger in my opinion.
The side handles would dangle and flap on the case and I had him make me a piece of leather to bind the two sides together with snaps. He wanted to sew it on permeant but I was happy! Notice mine has numbers written on the shaft slots. I thought that was a nice touch! Just like numbering joint caps helps to know where your favorite shaft is.
I had different zipper pulls and hated them. Gil saw me at a tournament looked in his box and put on the new zipper pulls shown. The bullhide is strong tough stuff and takes time to break in. The leather was hard for awhile making shaft removal a little hard at first. I stretched the leather a bit and shaft removal improved greatly. The shoulder straps too where tough but like a good cowboy boot you have to break bullhide leather in.
We worked together and I enjoyed the whole process. I had a 16 inch hager and a 14 inch hager extender. The 16 fit perfect but I like the 14 better. I stuffed a spacer in the bottom of the pouch and put my 14 inch hager in the slot. It was an instant fix since I told him make it for 16 inch not knowing I would favor the 14 inch one I have.
Gil is great !!! I want one of his hard cases! The light weight all deertanned deer skin cases are super light. Especially, the 3x6 case model. He makes one of the few 3x6 cases that are tolerable to carry. Leather selection plays a big role in case weight. I have seen so many people dump their 3x6 and complain about the weight. I am trying a JB rugged with leather handles and shoulder strap only! That way it will keep weight down and allow me to carry more. have not gotten it yet. So, the verdict is not out yet on it.
KD
