Cue case dilemma what leather case would you purchase if

If I was going to order a leather pool cue case tomorrow it would be from

  • Total voters
    121
  • Poll closed .
John Barton said:
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. :-)
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that is one thing i really like about the instroke case i have. it "snugs" the collar ends of the shafts and sleeve ends of the butts very well keeping the parts from banging around in the case. it "ONLY" snugs those parts, keeping the cues critical parts away from any prolonged pressure which could cause them to "take" the shape of their "holder" and promote unnatural movement of the wood which can lead to warped shafts or butts. if John's new cases have this feature then i'd welcome them whole heartedly.
 
QStickMagician said:
I find this thread very interesting, and I am sure everyone has their favorite cue case maker.

They do. And each case maker has a particular style that make them unique and worthwhile. There are hundreds of cuemakers but only a handful of good casemakers.

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

I know some of my customers have a few. Thankfully most of them have forgiven me :-)

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.

Me either. I have spent many sleepless nights trying to "invent" the perfect case. It does not exist.

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.

Thanks I will.

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?

I guess I have to tell you that 95% of the latches you see on any bags are Chinese made. But like everything else in the world there are good ones and bad ones. The latches in use by Instroke, specifically, the Diamond latch is probably the very best latch of it's type on the market today. The latches I am using on the JB Cases are very strong but not as strong as the Diamond latch. I am having a latch made that will be similar to the Diamond latch. Latches like the Diamond latch are not common and have to be specially ordered.

You can go to Ohio Travel Bag and look at their catalog and find that most of what they carry is imported from China. Ohio Travel Bag is the hardware supplier for several casemakers. I buy my hardware from local suppliers here and it is the strongest I can get.

Shortly I will be offering cases without the twist latch at all and only put on the twist latch by request and then only my version of the Diamond Latch. I have a way to do the closures that don't require moving parts that can break. I just have to refine it a little more.

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

Other than the Diamond Latch, which was designed especially for cue cases, the twist latches were made for handbags and really aren't suitable for cue cases. I do regret ever using them and no will only use really strong, heavy duty ones or preferably none at all. But like I said, the issue is not whether the latch is Made in China or not, it's whether it is suitable for the task or not. I guarantee you that there is hardware that is Made in China that supports critical equipment and safety gear that is super tough and durable.


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.

I prefer cases with good zippers over latches.

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.

True. It's a touchy subject for sure. In some ways leather is a wonderful natural material that has hardly an equal for durability and usefulness. But in others with modern tanning and the amount of chemical processing that leather undergoes it's not hardly environmentally correct to use leather when synthetic alternatives with a considerably less environmentally negative footprint exist. It's something I struggle with morally. I love leather however and love the warm feeling of good leather. So I figure that somehow it balances out cosmically somehow. - I hope.



P.S. I have not found the perfect cue case, and think it is an oxy moron.
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Agreed. I think that perhaps I have put more thought to the underlying reasons why cue cases are made and how they should perform than my colleagues have. And still no matter what I design or make someone has issues with it. Primarily because we all have different needs, different tastes, and certainly strong opinons.

The perfect cue case in my opinion is one that protects as well as you want it to, does not harm your cues, and gives you no trouble in use. Mine was a McDermott silver soft case.

I used that case for years and it was perfect as far as I was concerned. I couldn't have been happier. I went to a hard case because it was the "in" thing and can still remember vividly getting teased about my "golf bag" when I showed up in the MisCue with my Porper 2x4 square case in 1988.

From there I graduated to It's George and Flowers. And from a mishap with my cue falling out of my Flowers I decided to start building my own tube cases. But I still love that old soft McDermott case and built myself a leather version of it years later.

So you're right, there is no perfect case. Just what is "perfect" for you.
 
John Barton said:
You are certainly entitled to your opinion. I think Jim does fine work from what I can see.

"Fine work?" Uh, yeah. Jim Murnack makes the Rolls Royce of cases.

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.

Actually, both Jack and Jim do much better tooling work. I've had all 3 cases in my hands many , many times, including recent examples.

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.

Jim NEVER hijacked a POLL THREAD! I don't care if you do some advertising in the FS Section, but this was a POLL!

As for the Made in China comment. 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.

Well, from a physics perspective, you can not observe something with out changing it. From a manufacturing perspective, one can not move their shop to China without changing the product. Period. Impossible.

I exist in the REALITY DOMAIN. And here, Jim is NOT in China, you are. So I can't even fathom how to answer your hypothetical questions. It's not reality.

Would you insult him as well? I don't really care anymore. The cases are made by John Barton and John Barton's team.

Insult? All I did was write the absolute, unadulterated FACTS! "Your cases are made in China". I DID NOT elaborate, or make any judgmental comments about it. But, WOW! Are you ever TOUCHY about it! Hmmm, wonder why??

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.

Well, shit, John, now you're showing what a true CLASS ACT you really are.

That's a GREAT way to win over the AZ Community and attract new customers. I will gladly oblige to your "don't buy one of my cases" comment. As will every single person that I know. And I'll be quick to spread this around in every single case conversation that ever comes up again. Good job!

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!
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Hmmm, you just now realized that a superior maker with a better line and more popular web site just happens to have a line called "Hybrid"???? Yeah, right. Jim has had that line for almost 2-years! And you just happen to have selected that same moniker??

Who woulda thunked that possible? A CHINESE MADE cue case just happens to have selected the exact same Marketing Term for his case as the world's best casemaker?? What are the odds?? A copy cat item out of China? NO WAY!


I rarely get involved in a flame war, and I have never mentioned anything about Barton when he's in the FS section, trying to hawk his wares. Everyone has to earn a living. But hijacking a Poll Thread in the Main Category is just too much. And still he continues posting in this thread.

Trust me, John - you have lost countless potential customers today.

-von
 
Originally Posted by John Barton
You are certainly entitled to your opinion. I think Jim does fine work from what I can see.

"Fine work?" Uh, yeah. Jim Murnack makes the Rolls Royce of cases.


John: :-) And Rolls Royces are fine cars with fine work in them. Jim's last name however is Murnak. He might like it if you took the care to spell it correctly.


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.

Actually, both Jack and Jim do much better tooling work. I've had all 3 cases in my hands many , many times, including recent examples.

You have had Charlie Edwards' JB Case in your hands? That is the only JB Case that is currently in the United States. Well Charlie did say that he is very proud of it and will be showing it around to everyone. That is the only recent example of my current work that you could possibly have "had in your hands" as the rest are still here in my office. And again, you are certainly entitled to your opinion of the tooling work. For myself and also some well respected and knowledgeable collectors in this area the tooling on my current work is second to none. But I don't want to get into a beauty contest. It only matters that the customer is happy and you certainly sound happy with Jim's work and that is fantastic.


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.

Jim NEVER hijacked a POLL THREAD! I don't care if you do some advertising in the FS Section, but this was a POLL!

Um. Ok. Guilty. Campaigning within 300 yards of a polling place. :-) Sorry.


As for the Made in China comment. 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.

Well, from a physics perspective, you can not observe something with out changing it. From a manufacturing perspective, one can not move their shop to China without changing the product. Period. Impossible.

I exist in the REALITY DOMAIN. And here, Jim is NOT in China, you are. So I can't even fathom how to answer your hypothetical questions. It's not reality.

I see. And your points could not have been made just as equally without applying the moniker of "made in china"? Well, it is no surprise that I disagree with you that one cannot produce in other parts of the world without changing the product. But if I were to agree with your premise then I would say that it can change for the better or the worse depending on conditions and control. I am quite positive that Jim Murnak can come to my shop here and produce a case that is every bit as good as one he produces in New York. And with 100% certainty, so can Jack Justis.


Would you insult him as well? I don't really care anymore. The cases are made by John Barton and John Barton's team.

Insult? All I did was write the absolute, unadulterated FACTS! "Your cases are made in China". I DID NOT elaborate, or make any judgmental comments about it. But, WOW! Are you ever TOUCHY about it! Hmmm, wonder why??

I will tell you why. Because most people seem not to able to debate the merit of a product without mentioning that it is "made in China". It seems like a lot of people who cannot otherwise credibly debase a product like to resort to the "made in China" label. I think you are smart enough to know that you could have made your point without playing the "made in China" card. But I am glad you did. Because it gives me another opportunity to express that China is filled with good hard working people who make great things when given the chance. Chinese people were making high art when Europeans were living in hovels. It's quite convenient for those who like to apply the "made in China" label to conveniently forget that China has contributed significantly to the world's well being with art, scientific discoveries, and social harmony. There are people here whose artistry has been handed down for hundreds of years, whole villages and regions devoted to particular arts. The depth of the Chinese soul and character and artistry is what is unfathomable. That's the China you may never have the joy to discover but I hope that someday you do get that chance and that you take it.


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.

Well, shit, John, now you're showing what a true CLASS ACT you really are.

That's a GREAT way to win over the AZ Community and attract new customers. I will gladly oblige to your "don't buy one of my cases" comment. As will every single person that I know. And I'll be quick to spread this around in every single case conversation that ever comes up again. Good job![/COLOR]

Please do. Grandad was a smart old country boy. He didn't have a lot of big city words like me but he could make his point quickly and effectively. I have used this point many times at shows to the delight of my prospective customers who appreciate the honesty. At this point in my life I can be choosy about who I sell to. I would never want you or anyone else to get anything from me that you were not 100% happy with. I will be grateful if you could point everyone to JB Cases to show them how horrible I am. It will be a service to everyone if they see just what to stay away from. You might want to print this thread as well and let them read it.


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!

Hmmm, you just now realized that a superior maker with a better line and more popular web site just happens to have a line called "Hybrid"???? Yeah, right. Jim has had that line for almost 2-years! And you just happen to have selected that same moniker??

Who woulda thunked that possible? A CHINESE MADE cue case just happens to have selected the exact same Marketing Term for his case as the world's best casemaker?? What are the odds?? A copy cat item out of China? NO WAY!

I am not so clever as to keep up with all the names that people apply to their stuff. I also didn't realize that Jim had a monopoly on generic terms like "Vintage" (was in use by Cue and Case prior to Murnak's appearance) "Standard" (was used by me first in cases), "Hybrid", "Custom" (I think Justis was using that one before Jim showed up) and "Expression". I named the case with the first thing that came to mind. But in deference to your concern I have changed the name. The new name of this case is the Rolls Royce. Because to me it evokes the fine work and rich luxury that embodies a Rolls Royce automobile.


I rarely get involved in a flame war, and I have never mentioned anything about Barton when he's in the FS section, trying to hawk his wares. Everyone has to earn a living. But hijacking a Poll Thread in the Main Category is just too much. And still he continues posting in this thread.

Trust me, John - you have lost countless potential customers today.

Or, from a physics perspective, possibly gained many. This is not a flame war. It's your opinon and mine.

If there is any flaming going on then it's you trying to start a fire. Many people have expressed their opinion of which cases they like and why in this thread. Should they all not do so? Only you and Randy have come out with negativity in this thread. Everyone else was happily expressing themselves in a positive manner. I made one comment to correct an erroneous statement about protection - and that statement remains a fact. My cases and Instroke cases protect better than the Murnaks and Whittens I have seen. Other than that, beauty is subjective. I have no desire to be drawn into a fight with you. I have obviously touched a nerve with you and for that I apologize. I won't however stand down from the truth and I hope you can understand that.


P.S. Von Rhett - I hope that you will take the time to read some of the great things I say about Murnak Cases. I have heaped praise on Jim and his cases and will continue to do so. If you think that I am somehow insulting the cases then I have to respectfully point you towards the many, many, many times I have praised him and pointed people in his direction. Including the link to his website on the front page of my website (www.jbcases.com) that has been there from day one. Please show me any other casemaker that points people to their "competition". I am the only one that I know of and I have more than enough business to keep me busy.
 
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Well . . . we beat that one into . . .

John . . . you make a fine quality case . . .


Beauty is in the eye of the beholder . . . too bad it's gotten so "ugly" trying to list the merits of the many fine choices we have . . . regardless of how we got it "to market" . . .

Peace . . .
 
Jim Murnak, no question, is the best case I have found.
I like the Justis cases, but they seem just to *nice* to let get beat up in a pool hall and the trunk of my car, and the freight systems of airlines, etc.

Strong, well built, and with any option you could want.
The Vintage model of the Jim Murnak case is what I bought after looking at many others, over a long time.

CueCase.jpg
 
A suggestion

Check out the website OnQ Cases has up. Garth makes an exceptional case. I have a custom made OnQ case, and it's pretty incredible. The stitching can even be customized. He's a cool guy too, and was even willing to help me get my other case fixed, which was an instroke case. He's considerate to do business with, offers an amazing case, and probably isn't as expensive as some of the other guys out there. He can do all the different designs, but I think his are a little more modern and not as out of style as most of the stuff out there right now. I get tons of compliments on the case, and would never consider any other brand, and I have tried many.
 
Jack Justis hands down is the finest. The quality of the leather and the workmanship is absolutely the finest. Jack's attention to detail in the tooling is amazing. And talk about durability....I have never seen a case wear and stand up to daily use like a Justis.

I quess that means my vote goes to Jack Justis.
 
Am I the only guy who still likes a good soft case? I have had a Silver Fox case for many years and it's just great and still like new. It is very well made and not expensive. I just bought a really cool tan leather soft case with two pouches on the side (one long and one short), that has great sleeves inside to hold two butts and four shafts. It has a carrying strap also. I'm sorry I don't know the name of the maker, just that he makes custom cases in the L.A. area. Also not expensive, under $100.

One thing I really like about soft cases is that they don't weigh a ton. I don't like lugging all that weight around. They provide all the protection you need for your cues if you do not abuse them. They carry fine in a car and on your shoulder.

Check out Stan Tourangeau's soft case sometime. It's a thing of beauty. Native American style.
 
For those of you who voted "none of the above," which cases do you think are the best?

Jay, can you link some sites?
 
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This thread has turned into a mud slinging feast

CPN said:
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.
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This thread has turned into a mud slinging feast, when it should have been a source of information for the guy who asked the original question above.

I too would have like to have heard the positives, and negatives owners fell their brand of cue cases have. From owner personal experiences.

Plus maybe some stories of good verses bad customer experiences with brands of cue cases, or individual cue case makers.
 
jay helfert said:
Am I the only guy who still likes a good soft case? I have had a Silver Fox case for many years and it's just great and still like new. It is very well made and not expensive. I just bought a really cool tan leather soft case with two pouches on the side (one long and one short), that has great sleeves inside to hold two butts and four shafts. It has a carrying strap also. I'm sorry I don't know the name of the maker, just that he makes custom cases in the L.A. area. Also not expensive, under $100.

One thing I really like about soft cases is that they don't weigh a ton. I don't like lugging all that weight around. They provide all the protection you need for your cues if you do not abuse them. They carry fine in a car and on your shoulder.

Check out Stan Tourangeau's soft case sometime. It's a thing of beauty. Native American style.
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I'd like to find the names of some soft sided case makers. I want a soft sided case made to hold 2x3 flat, in hard case tubes layed loosely in the case, w/no outside pockets. My Silver Fox is not wide enough to hold that configuration flat.

Leather or vinyl. When you accidently lay leather in water spilled on a tall drink table at the ph doesn't the leather get ruined? Hence the thought of doing it in vinyl.

Anybody know a soft sided cue case maker?
 
JimS said:
I'd like to find the names of some soft sided case makers. I want a soft sided case made to hold 2x3 flat, in hard case tubes layed loosely in the case, w/no outside pockets. My Silver Fox is not wide enough to hold that configuration flat.

Leather or vinyl. When you accidently lay leather in water spilled on a tall drink table at the ph doesn't the leather get ruined? Hence the thought of doing it in vinyl.

Anybody know a soft sided cue case maker?
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Me. My favorite case is my 2x4 soft case. I have put pockets on it but it could be made with no pockets.

Vinyl, nylon, canvas, whatever material you like that I can get. No problem.

I used to put lined tubes inside my 3x6 soft case to make a soft side tube case like you describe.

John
 
Well I was kind of disappointed when this thread stopped, and John Barton quit answer questions.

His Instroke case are in my opinion the most popular pool cue case design ever.

Seems to me everyone wants to copy an Instroke.

I really like that hybrid design that John put up a link to, and also pictures of that case that is a hybrid design.

I am in the market for a new case, and have it narrowed down to 3, and that John Barton hybrid is in the finals.
 
SouprFive said:
Well I was kind of disappointed when this thread stopped, and John Barton quit answer questions.

His Instroke case are in my opinion the most popular pool cue case design ever.

Seems to me everyone wants to copy an Instroke.

I really like that hybrid design that John put up a link to, and also pictures of that case that is a hybrid design.

I am in the market for a new case, and have it narrowed down to 3, and that John Barton hybrid is in the finals.
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I am still here. Ask any question and I will answer it. :-)
 
fdambi said:
Check out the website OnQ Cases has up. Garth makes an exceptional case. I have a custom made OnQ case, and it's pretty incredible. The stitching can even be customized. He's a cool guy too, and was even willing to help me get my other case fixed, which was an instroke case. He's considerate to do business with, offers an amazing case, and probably isn't as expensive as some of the other guys out there. He can do all the different designs, but I think his are a little more modern and not as out of style as most of the stuff out there right now. I get tons of compliments on the case, and would never consider any other brand, and I have tried many.
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I have to agree. I think On Q Case doesn't get nearly the press here at AZ Land that he deserves. Probably because he isn't present as Jack, Jim and I are. He is doing some of the finest work in the world though. His inlay designs are top notch.

If I were going to get a case made with inlays to match my cue then On Q Cases would be my first stop.

I hope to be able to match his inlays in the near future, but right now On Q Case is in a league of his own in the inlay department. And Murnak is a close second in my opinon. Others may differ. :-)
 
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