Definitive Case Review -JB cases

prewarhero

prewarhero

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Silver Member
I just bought my first JB case. I will spare you the hyperbole and much of the back story but let's just say I never wanted to own a JB case. When case arguments came up I often rooted for the "other side". A case is a case and I want one made by XYZ to protect (read carry) my precious cues. I own no less than 6 cases currently and have owned many more. Maybe not a lot by some standards but I did not just graduate from a porper to a JB.

My cue collection had expanded quicker than I can provide storage so I figured I would purchase an inexpensive case for storage- all my other cases are real leather (except one denim case). My mind went to a wave or JB rugged. Figured what the heck I will buy a rugged.

Case arrived. Immediately upon taking it out of the box, before opening the case itself, I was very surprised to see the quality of the case, for any price, but especially for the price. Then when I opened the case and saw the JB interior it was all over for me. There is no case on the market, custom or otherwise that will protect your cues to this level. Period.

While John did make convincing arguments (and videos) regarding the superiority of his inserts I was not all that shocked to find it better. What I was shocked to find is how inadequate I felt my other cases were providing in terms of protection. I no longer felt comfortable with any of my other cases.

I emptied out my Dennis Swift, everyday day case and this case that was for storage is now my everyday case until I can order another from JB. I will undoubtedly replace all my cases (except a couple that are special to me) for JB cases. Protecting my cues no longer simply means carrying them.

This is not a knock to any other case maker. Many do great beautiful work. But, if you are serious about the protection of your cases you really should only consider a JB case. I can't believe I am saying that but they are that much better.
 
I couldn't agree more. Best cases on the market in my opinion. I'll never buy a case from anyone other than John.
 
prewarhero said:
I just bought my first JB case. I will spare you the hyperbole and much of the back story but let's just say I never wanted to own a JB case. When case arguments came up I often rooted for the "other side". A case is a case and I want one made by XYZ to protect (read carry) my precious cues. I own no less than 6 cases currently and have owned many more. Maybe not a lot by some standards but I did not just graduate from a porper to a JB.

My cue collection had expanded quicker than I can provide storage so I figured I would purchase an inexpensive case for storage- all my other cases are real leather (except one denim case). My mind went to a wave or JB rugged. Figured what the heck I will buy a rugged.

Case arrived. Immediately upon taking it out of the box, before opening the case itself, I was very surprised to see the quality of the case, for any price, but especially for the price. Then when I opened the case and saw the JB interior it was all over for me. There is no case on the market, custom or otherwise that will protect your cues to this level. Period.

While John did make convincing arguments (and videos) regarding the superiority of his inserts I was not all that shocked to find it better. What I was shocked to find is how inadequate I felt my other cases were providing in terms of protection. I no longer felt comfortable with any of my other cases.

I emptied out my Dennis Swift, everyday day case and this case that was for storage is now my everyday case until I can order another from JB. I will undoubtedly replace all my cases (except a couple that are special to me) for JB cases. Protecting my cues no longer simply means carrying them.

This is not a knock to any other case maker. Many do great beautiful work. But, if you are serious about the protection of your cases you really should only consider a JB case. I can't believe I am saying that but they are that much better.
Click to expand...

Excellent review! Takes a big man to admit that his opinion of JB's cases have changed. Enjoy your case and the more to come!
 
thanks for sharing your experience on switching from other cases to JB.

I have the same impression when I received my JB case. I was using a Mezz case then, but figured out I would want a leather case. so I started looking and was impressed with a specific King shark case, envelope style, but I could not buy it because seller preferred to sell in the US. I still remember knew who the buyer was and even contacted him about re-selling it to me but he declined.

then a JB Chas 2x4 case popped up, exactly what I need, except for the side handle. John said he can remove it easily so I bought it. I loved it. then the JB rugged case became available, first the basic rugged, I bought 2 for me and a friend of mine.

Recently when I sent the Chas case back to John for an interior change (Organic Rebound to Ultrapad) and some minor modifications, John said it would be easier for him to make me a new one, without additional cost, without shipping cost. so he made me a new Chas, ultrapad interior, and 3x4/2x5 instead of 2x4, with all the modification I wanted. Wow. I ordered another customized ultimate rugged from him, picked the colors, interior, pocket size, zippers, shoulder strap, I mean, everything customized to my preference. Wow x2.

I received the cases last week, with a customized external sleeve for my extension, a modified 4x6 interior for my butterfly case, and some special accessory pockets.

I have 2 JB cases in my wishlist, one is a tooled butterfly case and one is a Mason. I currently have more JB case space than I want but I won't bother getting more :)
 
They really are that good. I received an Ultimate Rugged from John yesterday. It's my first JB case but not my first nice case as I have had some other nice cases from well known makers (cases that were many times the price of my rugged). The Ultra Pad interior really is excellent and when you consider the cost of the rugged line, it's seems amazing that you get such a nice interior at this price point. Add to that the exterior construction which is incredibly nice as well and the rugged line is a ridiculous value.
 
A couple of great 6x12 butterflies. I liked them so much that I got 2 more.

b51d9e7c61fcea2d49c8407c293e47db.jpg

64faf951aa95ed7ab0d63f637842703c.jpg
 
I wasn't a fan of the case wars of a few years back. I applaud John's passion for cue protection, but I thought he over stepped his bounds when he started offering replacement interiors for another case makers cases. I still think that's wrong. That being said, I found myself ordering a 2x4 butterfly case and I was extremely satisfied with the case. Everything was top notch. I don't own the case any longer because a buddy of mine was relentless in bugging me to sell him the case. So, I broke down and sold it to him. I will order another, this time, I think a 4x8 is in order!
 
RackRunner said:
I wasn't a fan of the case wars of a few years back. I applaud John's passion for cue protection, but I thought he over stepped his bounds when he started offering replacement interiors for another case makers cases. I still think that's wrong. That being said, I found myself ordering a 2x4 butterfly case and I was extremely satisfied with the case. Everything was top notch. I don't own the case any longer because a buddy of mine was relentless in bugging me to sell him the case. So, I broke down and sold it to him. I will order another, this time, I think a 4x8 is in order!
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Thanks for getting a JB Case and I am glad you liked it. I don't see anything wrong with offering interiors or modifications to other case brands. This is zero difference than after market parts for cars, phones or any other thing you can buy. That's the beauty of the world we live in, anyone is free to make a product and anyone else is free to make it better. As a consumer you are not stuck with whatever the manufacturer wants to serve you with.

Over the years I have changed the way we make cases in response to customer modifications. I would never be upset with any customer or any competitor that modified our case after it was purchased from us. The only thing I say is that if a mod substantially alters the construction then it may void the lifetime warranty.

I will however agree with you that motivation plays a big part and during the case "wars" my primary motivation wasn't the noblest. ;-) But whatever emotion leads to relentless pursuit of quality and protection I guess it's good for those who want a case that protects and can be depended on.
 
prewarhero said:
I just bought my first JB case. I will spare you the hyperbole and much of the back story but let's just say I never wanted to own a JB case. When case arguments came up I often rooted for the "other side". A case is a case and I want one made by XYZ to protect (read carry) my precious cues. I own no less than 6 cases currently and have owned many more. Maybe not a lot by some standards but I did not just graduate from a porper to a JB.

My cue collection had expanded quicker than I can provide storage so I figured I would purchase an inexpensive case for storage- all my other cases are real leather (except one denim case). My mind went to a wave or JB rugged. Figured what the heck I will buy a rugged.

Case arrived. Immediately upon taking it out of the box, before opening the case itself, I was very surprised to see the quality of the case, for any price, but especially for the price. Then when I opened the case and saw the JB interior it was all over for me. There is no case on the market, custom or otherwise that will protect your cues to this level. Period.

While John did make convincing arguments (and videos) regarding the superiority of his inserts I was not all that shocked to find it better. What I was shocked to find is how inadequate I felt my other cases were providing in terms of protection. I no longer felt comfortable with any of my other cases.

I emptied out my Dennis Swift, everyday day case and this case that was for storage is now my everyday case until I can order another from JB. I will undoubtedly replace all my cases (except a couple that are special to me) for JB cases. Protecting my cues no longer simply means carrying them.

This is not a knock to any other case maker. Many do great beautiful work. But, if you are serious about the protection of your cases you really should only consider a JB case. I can't believe I am saying that but they are that much better.
Click to expand...

:o Thanks. I appreciate that you took a shot and that we lived up to the hype.
 
prewarhero said:
I just bought my first JB case. I will spare you the hyperbole and much of the back story but let's just say I never wanted to own a JB case. When case arguments came up I often rooted for the "other side". A case is a case and I want one made by XYZ to protect (read carry) my precious cues. I own no less than 6 cases currently and have owned many more. Maybe not a lot by some standards but I did not just graduate from a porper to a JB.

My cue collection had expanded quicker than I can provide storage so I figured I would purchase an inexpensive case for storage- all my other cases are real leather (except one denim case). My mind went to a wave or JB rugged. Figured what the heck I will buy a rugged.

Case arrived. Immediately upon taking it out of the box, before opening the case itself, I was very surprised to see the quality of the case, for any price, but especially for the price. Then when I opened the case and saw the JB interior it was all over for me. There is no case on the market, custom or otherwise that will protect your cues to this level. Period.

While John did make convincing arguments (and videos) regarding the superiority of his inserts I was not all that shocked to find it better. What I was shocked to find is how inadequate I felt my other cases were providing in terms of protection. I no longer felt comfortable with any of my other cases.

I emptied out my Dennis Swift, everyday day case and this case that was for storage is now my everyday case until I can order another from JB. I will undoubtedly replace all my cases (except a couple that are special to me) for JB cases. Protecting my cues no longer simply means carrying them.

This is not a knock to any other case maker. Many do great beautiful work. But, if you are serious about the protection of your cases you really should only consider a JB case. I can't believe I am saying that but they are that much better.
Click to expand...

and you still haven't tried his JB Chris 10x20 case, which is -IMHO- second to none when it comes to cue collection storage !! damn, i need a 2d atm ...


erriep
 
hachi808 said:
A couple of great 6x12 butterflies. I liked them so much that I got 2 more.

b51d9e7c61fcea2d49c8407c293e47db.jpg

64faf951aa95ed7ab0d63f637842703c.jpg
Click to expand...

I'm giving thought to a 4X8 butterfly. However I'm curious about the 6x12. Is it too big to carry into a room. It would have 3 butts w/ 3-4 shafts...maybe some accessories. Regardless could use the 6-12 for storing cues at home.
 
Last edited:
Sorry, just saw this post.

The 6x12 is a tad big to carry into a room. A 4x8 is a more comfortable size.

Sent from my HTC6535LVW using Tapatalk
 
I want to get one but I wish he offered the "build your own" in the butterfly style on the website
 
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