Engles Cases

Matt_24

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
With all this talk of "cases", what does everyone think of Engle's cases?

I'm sure many are familiar with (and this is third hand information, so I personally am not saying it is true or untrue --- just sharing the story as I heard it) his reputation, but what about his cases?

I haven't seen many out there - but I now own two. They were both well used, but really beautiful cases. They are solid and to me, look like Fellini cases. Anyone else own some Engles cases that can give a review?

I also like Ron Thomas cases and plan on buying a few, as well as the old It's George cases (I have one of those as well). The GTF cases look phenomenal........but.....well - I don't get into those arguments, I'll just say the cases do look great.

Matt <-- Really glad the classic style cases are getting some publicity here lately.
 
Matt_24 said:
With all this talk of "cases", what does everyone think of Engle's cases?

I'm sure many are familiar with (and this is third hand information, so I personally am not saying it is true or untrue --- just sharing the story as I heard it) his reputation, but what about his cases?

I haven't seen many out there - but I now own two. They were both well used, but really beautiful cases. They are solid and to me, look like Fellini cases. Anyone else own some Engles cases that can give a review?

I also like Ron Thomas cases and plan on buying a few, as well as the old It's George cases (I have one of those as well). The GTF cases look phenomenal........but.....well - I don't get into those arguments, I'll just say the cases do look great.

Matt <-- Really glad the classic style cases are getting some publicity here lately.

Yes the Engles I have is similar to the other tube style cases. However the seem on my smooth black leather case leaves a lot to be desired. I would place his cases on the low scale of quality for that reason. Plus his customer service blew, I was supposed to get a custom for my firefly cue, it never came. He tanked, with good reason.

JV
 
Hi Matt,

I have a lot of experience with Engles' cases (I think I've owned 20 or so). In my opinion, they are the best of the tube style cases, even though Fellini, Kelli, and Centennial are obviously "the old school collectibles". They (Engles) are roomier, longer, and are available in several different styles and configurations (latch, friction fit, etc.). I'm a big fan of exotic skins and Sam was always able to come up with some interesting cases for me. I even had a gorgeous one made out of stingray hide that had two white beaded areas (stingray is a black beaded skin) that looked just like cat eyes! It's a shame that they're no longer available...

Steve
 
Hunter said:
Hi Matt,

I even had a gorgeous one made out of stingray hide that had two white beaded areas (stingray is a black beaded skin) that looked just like cat eyes! It's a shame that they're no longer available...

Steve


Steve....I love stingray...it is such an interesting and different skin to use.
The white 'cat's eyes' on your case is due to the fact that each skin has a high point or ridge, as it were. the 'cat's eyes' come from shaving the larger 'beads' in this area of the skin down to the level of the rest of the beads in the skin...makes for a neat effect. :)

I have a chalk holder cup that is made of stingray...I get tons of comments on it, and it never slips outta my fingers. :D

Lisa
 
Matt...I have an example of both Sam's and Ron's cases. I have to agree with Joe about the seam-work, as I too, have a smooth black leather case of Sam's. That aside, it is still a great case! I am going to recover the Engles with a tooled leather as soon as I move into my Thomas 2x4 I was given for my B-day back in October...just waiting on my other cue to fill it. :)

I will tell you that the seam-work on my Thomas is just about flawless! I would have a tough time telling the front from the back (FrictionFit) if it weren't for the pocket on the front...Lol.

Both cases I have are latchless...which I actually prefer...very sleek.

It is a shame that Sam could not seem to resolve the 'issues' that he had...because he likely could have gone far with his cases...however, I feel there was some limitation to him not offering a 2x4 configuration, as Ron does.

If you like, once I get the camera battery charged, I can take pics of the back seam of both cases, so you can see the difference.

At any rate...I will not part with either case, as I do like them both very much...for different reasons.

Lisa
 
I loved my Engles. I wish I had never sold it; it was off white leather with a strap. I really liked how he designed it so it could be used as a 1x2 or a 2x2 also. I usually used it in 2x2 configuration. I think I'll get another one; I'll just have to pay a lot more for it now.
 
Flash,
I have owned plenty of each.Do you want to sell or you only wanting info,Call 214 477 7323 and I can help either way

DEAN
 
Oh "I'm" not the flash...LOL. That is one of our local gamblers who I took this photo of.

It is late now - but I'll give you a call sometime. Thanks!
 
Here is what I know

Matt_24 said:
With all this talk of "cases", what does everyone think of Engle's cases?

I'm sure many are familiar with (and this is third hand information, so I personally am not saying it is true or untrue --- just sharing the story as I heard it) his reputation, but what about his cases?

I haven't seen many out there - but I now own two. They were both well used, but really beautiful cases. They are solid and to me, look like Fellini cases. Anyone else own some Engles cases that can give a review?

I also like Ron Thomas cases and plan on buying a few, as well as the old It's George cases (I have one of those as well). The GTF cases look phenomenal........but.....well - I don't get into those arguments, I'll just say the cases do look great.

Matt <-- Really glad the classic style cases are getting some publicity here lately.

Matt,
Reputation aside,here are some interesting facts about his cases:

With no background in any type of case building,Engles designed and had blueprints drawn up for his take on the Fellini. Longer to accomodate 60"+ cues and large enough to hold a butt and 4 shafts,or 2 butts and 2 shafts.
His early cases were what you would expect from someone with no experience,and they got better as time went along.
Most of his early work was in embossed or smooth leather. The earliest cases were lined with Silk,later changing to heavy felt. He utilized a simple catch,attached with screws,on the early models. Later,He designed an O-ring seal similar to the Centennial. Two locks were used,one Brass and the elusive Fellini lock.
Most of His later work was done in hand dyed tooled leather and exotic hides,several breaking new ground,never seen in cases before.The most prevelant was Elephant,withShark,Lizard,Crocodile,Alligator,Eel,Python,and Stingray. Stingray is almost impossible to work with,but He devoloped a way to work with the skin yeilding one of,if not the most beautiful cases ever made.I own an example of each except one,the Tiger Shark. Joe's buddy Mark has an example of that case,one of two known to exist.Maybe Joe can get Mark to post a photo.

Here are the signifigant innovations in the style of case, or any case,for that matter, attributed to Engles :

Case true to Fellini form designed to hold longer cues,as well as mutiple cues and shafts.
Case covered totally in Lizard hide.
Case covered totally in Stingray hide.
Case covered totally with full quill Ostrich.
Case using O-ring seal combined with hand finished ends.

I don't know if He was the first,but He did a very few with a false,or hidden storage,inside the top.

Some have not had the pleasure to experience the true quality cases He made,and if you have one,you better hold on,they are keepers. A case making primer along with examples of His work can be found on Tate's Palmer Collector website.That is what I know,I am sure there are more with things to add.
 
I have one black one, that is tooled which I keep my fancy KLEIN in. The other is black leather with a friction fit top and the Southwest logo tooled into it, which -shocker- I keep my Southwest in. I really like them both very much.
 
engles cases

could some one please post some photos of his cases?he made three cases for george roode and george was kind enough to show them to me,they were all exotic skins but it took about 6 to 8 pieces of leather to cover each case and the seam work was very poor,about 1/16in. gap between each seam,as was mentioned in some other posts.did he improve his seams on later cases?
inquiring minds would like to know,

thank's: art:confused:
 
Pic from Tate's website

01rkclassic said:
could some one please post some photos of his cases?he made three cases for george roode and george was kind enough to show them to me,they were all exotic skins but it took about 6 to 8 pieces of leather to cover each case and the seam work was very poor,about 1/16in. gap between each seam,as was mentioned in some other posts.did he improve his seams on later cases?
inquiring minds would like to know,

thank's: art:confused:
Art,
George has a brown Python Engles made for him that is the nutts! The case is perfect in every way,including a rare shoulder strap made from the same Python. I think the cases George showed you were sent to help George out. He gave those cases to George to sell and keep whatever he got for them.A nice gesture,to say the least. He helped Mr. Rood any way he could.
Here are some examples of his work,all perfect,taken from Tate's website:
 

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