Cue case dilemma what leather case would you purchase if

[CPN]

I have been saving for months to purchase of a leather new pool leather cue case, and quite frankly can not decide upon what case maker to purchase from.

I got an unexpected bonus check so I have the money now, plus more than expected to spend on a case.

So my question is if you are the owner of a leather pool cue case, and could do it over again what case make would you choose and why.

 

[BLACKHEARTCUES]

Your question was which leather case & why? I own a custom JACK JUSTIS case, with my "BLACK HEART" logo. It is not only beautiful & well made, but has taken a beating, all over the country & in & out of dozens of vehicles. It still looks great & I am constantly getting compliments on it. He also stands behind his work. He IS the best...JER

 

[TWOFORPOOL]

JB Custom Cases

I am the lucky winner of the AZ Billiards John Barton Custom Case. I could have anything I wanted (which was very hard to decide). This case is now in the final construction phase.

John Barton has emailed me no fewer than 10 times (including diagrams of the case) discussing the type, style, design, etc to make sure its just the way I wanted it. I have debated certain things in construction only for John to tell me his way is better (WHICH IT ALWAYS WAS!). He educated me on my mis-perceptions on what I thought was a good case. Even though this case is free to me HE HAS AWAYS BEEN VERY SINCERE, CARING AND CONSIDERATE IN MAKING SURE ITS THE PERFECT CASE FOR ME. I'm sure the AZers will see it once its completed. Its not only going to be a great case but it also is a work of art. I can hardly wait.

If you want the best one of a kind case FOR YOU this is the case to buy.

 

[Drawman623]

Whitten is my favorite

I've owned many cases and found Whitten to be the best for me. Their shaft tubes are spring loaded and set up so you can customize for the length of your shaft with spacers that are included. This means the shafts will look uniform even if they are not the same length, you can also set up for joint protectors etc... Ernie Guttierez uses Whitten and includes one of their cases with each Ginacue. He tested for moisture and found Whitten cases to be most effective at keeping moisture away from the cue. Lastly, Whitten will customize your case if you like. There are many ways to make your case unique and they give you planty of choice. Check out their web site if you want to see some examples. The case in my avitar is a Whitten.

Joe Whitten 813-472-9503
www.whittencases.com

 

[sky..]

Not that I own any of them, but I voted for John Barton. His style was very different from all the others that I've seen. Granted I haven't seen that much, but I've browsed most of the other people's galleries, and so far, I like the way John's cases look the best. (check out the 2 cases he's posted here, it's awesome!)

 

[poolandpokerman]

I wanted a leather case with a handle on top so I could carry it verticle if i was in a crowded place like the DCC. I just received my Justis Pro LIte, I am very happy, it was used but a 2007 model, I can't believe how lite it is, very lite, and well built. But you can't go wrong with any of the makers you mentioned. my 2 cents

 

[John Barton]

Bragging

Hey everyone, this seems like an appropriate thread to show off one of my experiments.

http://www.jbcases.com/hybrid.html

Since the discussion is about which case is best - how about a combination of several? I love this case, really, it's hard to express in words how well it turned out. But my opinion is of course quite biased so I invite you all to see it for yourselves.

Enjoy - I have a few more to put up later including my personal one. And TwoForPool's is going to be pretty sporty as well.

 

[Charlie Edwards]

John Barton Custom Cases... because of the beauty, function, design, and the superior protection they provide.

 

[pooldogue]

Hands down WHITTEN....... Unless you want to overspend and get far less protection buy the others mentioned..........

 

[skins]

i've always been partial to cases with tubes. that being said, i've always loved Jacks tube cases the best. if money was no object and since Jack doesn't make the tubed ones anymore i would have to go with Jim Murnak. if i had a slightly lower budget i would go with an OnQ. i'd like to see one of John Barton's new cases done with tubes.....maybe he'll give me a deal i can't refuse on a 3X6.....


skins ------ always open to trying somethin' new.....

 

[12squared]

Hey everyone, this seems like an appropriate thread to show off one of my experiments.

http://www.jbcases.com/hybrid.html

Since the discussion is about which case is best - how about a combination of several? I love this case, really, it's hard to express in words how well it turned out. But my opinion is of course quite biased so I invite you all to see it for yourselves.

Enjoy - I have a few more to put up later including my personal one. And TwoForPool's is going to be pretty sporty as well.

John, I went to your link and I must say that case is fantastic (yes, the "nuts). You did a great job on its design and I know personally, that if it's from you, the quality is second to none. Excellent work my friend.

Dave

 

[John Barton]

Hands down WHITTEN....... Unless you want to overspend and get far less protection buy the others mentioned..........

I can't really comment about the "overspend" part of your comment as value for money spent is a bit subjective. Although I personally think that all the companies listed offer excellent value.

I can however comment about the "less protection" part as that is concrete and easily compared.

What is it about a Whitten that you feel has far more protection than an Instroke or a JB Case?

I mention only those two because those are the two brands that I personally designed and built. I designed them to have more protection than all other cases and they do. So if Whitten is now offering far more protection I'd like to know about it so I can at least build to that standard.

The last Whitten I saw - made in early 2007 - was built essentially the same as Whitten cases have always been built so if anything has changed then it must have been fairly recently.

When it comes to all around protection the best of the group in this poll are Instroke and JB Cases. That is without a doubt and is easily provable. The best protection available in a transportable pool cue case is a Zero Haliburton.

 

[John Barton]

i've always been partial to cases with tubes. that being said, i've always loved Jacks tube cases the best. if money was no object and since Jack doesn't make the tubed ones anymore i would have to go with Jim Murnak. if i had a slightly lower budget i would go with an OnQ. i'd like to see one of John Barton's new cases done with tubes.....maybe he'll give me a deal i can't refuse on a 3X6.....


skins ------ always open to trying somethin' new.....

Me too. Knowing your cue work I am sure that you can design the tooling you want and I will build the case to suit it.

email me at jb@jbideas.com and we can talk about it whenever you are ready.

 

[NYC cue dude]

If I was buying/building a new case, and I am, I would be spending my money with James Murnak. IMO, he builds the best cases in the world. The leather is exquisite, the hardware is top notch, and the workmanship/artistry is like no other.

But dont take my word for it, contact him, yourself, and let him tell you the difference between his cases, and all the others.

rg

 

[VonRhett]

I mean no disrespect, John, but your Made-in-China cases just don't compare to a Jim Murnack case, IMHO.

Look at the case that John B provided a link to in this thread. I mean, really examine the threading, construction, stitching, all the fine points of leather work. Now compare that to a Murnack.

Also, just for posterity's sake, it is kinda bad form for you to jump on a Poll Thread and use it for advertising. No other case maker else is doing that.

Jim Murnack has been the world's premiere Custom Leather Holster maker for decades. He has blessed us, the pool community, by offering his world-class leather work in his line of pool cases. Go look at his Vintage line, compare the attention to detail, construction, quality, etc., etc. http://www.fist-inc.com/general leather/vintagecuemenu.htm

I'm sure John makes a good case. But it's like comparing a top of the line Ford to a Bentley, if you ask me. Which the OP did.

JMO!

-von

 

[NYC cue dude]

Von, I agree, whole-heartedly, with EVERY word you wrote. I own many different cases, inclding whittens, justis, and instroke. IMO, all 2nd rate to Murnak's work.

And... Murnak will incorporate ANY construction design into a case. See if the other 2 "world class" case makers, justis or whitten will oblige.

Rg

Any case made with rivets, IS garbadge. Its like owning 14kt gold plated jewelry or cubic zirconias. It might look ok, but its still a poser.

 

[QStickMagician]

I find this thread very interesting, and I am sure everyone has their favorite cue case maker.

I am also sure there are even so horror stories to be told about dealing with case makers we have not heard.

I do not think any one cue case is best, and many brands of cue cases have features I personally like, but there are some feature I dislike on the same case brands, with features I liked.

I do not think John Barton has hi jacked anything, he is only taking advantage to promote his product, and show his wears like any sales person would do.

John please keep us updated on you cue cases as they are completed, and do post photos so we can see your creations.

Now I hope that John Barton will answer one question that I have had about his new line of cue cases.

Is the hardware, and closures quality american made, or the same quality of the hardware Instroke your former company is using in 2006?

Those twist locks Instroke ( made in china) is currently using imho is not quality, and is very apt to breaking.

But than I have a friend with a 12 + y/o Instroke that is all zippers, and apparently was made in Germany, that case shows little sign or age, and the zippers work like when it was new.

BTW most of the Leather, most of the cue case makers use, come from off shore as, that is where the tanneries are.

When I drove over the road, many time my loads were Cow hides in a container, that was going off shore to be tanned, and than return after tanning to the U.S.

Apparently most American tanneries have been closed because of environmental problems with the bi products of the tanning process. It is called toxic waste, and very expensive to dispose of.



P.S. I have not found the perfect cue case, and think it is an oxy moron.

 

[MikeM]

I voted for a Justis...

...because I recently got one and I love it. Instroke is the only other brand I have owned on the list and I have a Giuseppe leather case as well (and some leather-like Giuseppes).

The Instroke is beautiful and I feel very safe putting my cues in it. Well built, but HEAVY and I had the bad latch issue.

I didn't realize how heavy the Instroke was until I got the Justis Pro-Lite. Not only light but beautifully made as well.

I think John's posts add value to this thread and he should keep 'em coming.

MM

 

[Jigger]

If possible inspect as many brands as you can before deciding. Our opinions are secondary to what you prefer and the style that appeals to you.

Personally I would be very happy with a Murnak or Whitten. Both are topnotch quality leather crafting, offer great protection with style and class. I once owned a beautifully made Justis case and my only complaint is the small slits with zippers for access to the pockets.

I've not seen any examples of John Barton's new cases but the pics look great. I'd like to assume the faulty latches have been upgraded. I respect Johns years of solid design work with the sturdy Instroke cases.

 

[John Barton]

I mean no disrespect, John, but your Made-in-China cases just don't compare to a Jim Murnack case, IMHO.

Look at the case that John B provided a link to in this thread. I mean, really examine the threading, construction, stitching, all the fine points of leather work. Now compare that to a Murnack.

Also, just for posterity's sake, it is kinda bad form for you to jump on a Poll Thread and use it for advertising. No other case maker else is doing that.

Jim Murnack has been the world's premiere Custom Leather Holster maker for decades. He has blessed us, the pool community, by offering his world-class leather work in his line of pool cases. Go look at his Vintage line, compare the attention to detail, construction, quality, etc., etc. http://www.fist-inc.com/general leather/vintagecuemenu.htm

I'm sure John makes a good case. But it's like comparing a top of the line Ford to a Bentley, if you ask me. Which the OP did.

JMO!

-von

You are certainly entitled to your opinion. I think Jim does fine work from what I can see.

I would respectfully disagree with your assessment however as to quality. I think our fit and finish is every bit as good as Jim's work and certainly our tooling is second to none in the world of cue cases. At least not that I have seen.

As for advertising/bragging. Yeah I am guilty of that. Sorry. Jim Murnak didn't get lambasted for it when he came here a year or so ago, neither does Jack when he posts every case he makes. I wasn't really advertising either so much as I thought it was a good fit to show off the Hybrid case in a thread about all casemakers.

As for the Made in China comment. Well I know that this is meant to offend me somehow and denigrate what I do. I wonder however what you would say to Jim Murnak of he relocated here and made the EXACT same quality as he is making now. Would you insult him as well? I don't really care anymore. The cases are made by John Barton and John Barton's team. If there is anything about me or where the cases are made that you don't like then don't buy one. As grampa used to say, there is an ass for every seat. Plenty of folks and plenty of people to make stuff for them.

As for the protection aspect. Well, a pretty case isn't necessarily a protective one. I have only see a few Murnaks up close and the ones I have seen are not as good as Instrokes or JB Cases when it comes to overall protection. And I am willing to bet on that fact. Call it the Case Action Challenge. We each put a $10,000 cue in our respective cases and turn them upside down with the top open over a wood chipper and shake vigorously. The cue that falls out first loses and the loser buys both cues and the cases.


Edit: After going to Jim's site I noticed he HAS a line called the Hybrid. Now I feel really foolish as it wasn't my intention to take the name of another guy's case line. But what's done is done I guess. I don't feel like going back and changing it now. :-( Sorry Jim!

Second edit: In deference to Jim's use of the word "Hybrid" to describe some of his cases I have changed the name of my latest case to the Rolls Royce. Thanks to Von Rhett for the suggestion on the name.

See it here: www.jbcases.com/rollsroyce.html