I received my EuroPocketChalker in today's mail from Doug. I had decided to wait to order one until he had the cognac saddle leather back in stock...which it is. 
Here are my initial impressions:
The stitching used to create the 'cup' is top-notch. As someone who has done more than her fair share of sewing, I am a bit critical of sloppy stitching...and there is none of it here! I see no problems with it down the line, and feel it may well outlast the more traditional lacing of the original PocketChalker. I should mention that these are not actually machine stitched, but hand-tied.
The leather used in this EuroPocketChalker is much nicer, thicker, and more supple than that on the original PocketChalker...it is at least twice as thick. Initially, it would seem that the leather 'cup' is tad too small for the chalk to be inserted....mine arrived without chalk as he was out, but he threw in a couple of goodies to make up for it, and I had just switched from Masters to Triangle, so it was okay with me....however, there was just enough stretch to the leather to allow for the chalk cube to insert snugly, and I see no issue with it loosening any further.
I do like very much the handcrafted and painted ceramic 8 Ball over the pewter 8 Ball found on the original PocketChalker...as well as the choice to go with the horn as opposed to the bone...I have had several friends whose original bone 'stick' has snapped clean in half just from normal use.
The 'Snap Strap' is what really sets this EuroPocketChalker apart from the original! It does snap snugly and securely over the top of the chalk, and I cannot imagine that I will have any chalk 'fouling' the rest of the items that I regularly carry in my case...or the inside of the case's pocket, for that matter. I also like the fact that the 'Snap Strap' can also be snapped to one side of the chalker to prevent misplacing or loss.
Even if you do not like using a pocketchalker....Doug does offer a variety of options to the basic 'cup'/'SnapStrap' configuration...so there should be something for everyone, as to preference. Definitely much better and nicer a concept than a traditional plastic chalkbox.
Pricing, direct from Doug's website: http://www.pocketchalker.co.uk/ is on par with what you would pay for the original PocketChalker direct from Billiards 911 here in the States...save the fact that the International shipping is INCLUDED in the price of the EuroPocketChalker...which is kinda nice.
I would definitely recommend the EuroPocketChalker to anyone who may be thinking about picking one up...it is a top quality billiard/pool product!!
Please note: I have absolutely nothing against the original PocketChalker or their creators...it was a brilliant and simple solution to hanging onto and keeping ready-at-hand your personal cube of chalk. I have owned one since they first appeared on the scene. I just happen to think that Doug has taken an already great product concept, and made it even better, with a few nice personal touches. Kudos!
Lisa
Here are my initial impressions:
The stitching used to create the 'cup' is top-notch. As someone who has done more than her fair share of sewing, I am a bit critical of sloppy stitching...and there is none of it here! I see no problems with it down the line, and feel it may well outlast the more traditional lacing of the original PocketChalker. I should mention that these are not actually machine stitched, but hand-tied.
The leather used in this EuroPocketChalker is much nicer, thicker, and more supple than that on the original PocketChalker...it is at least twice as thick. Initially, it would seem that the leather 'cup' is tad too small for the chalk to be inserted....mine arrived without chalk as he was out, but he threw in a couple of goodies to make up for it, and I had just switched from Masters to Triangle, so it was okay with me....however, there was just enough stretch to the leather to allow for the chalk cube to insert snugly, and I see no issue with it loosening any further.
I do like very much the handcrafted and painted ceramic 8 Ball over the pewter 8 Ball found on the original PocketChalker...as well as the choice to go with the horn as opposed to the bone...I have had several friends whose original bone 'stick' has snapped clean in half just from normal use.
The 'Snap Strap' is what really sets this EuroPocketChalker apart from the original! It does snap snugly and securely over the top of the chalk, and I cannot imagine that I will have any chalk 'fouling' the rest of the items that I regularly carry in my case...or the inside of the case's pocket, for that matter. I also like the fact that the 'Snap Strap' can also be snapped to one side of the chalker to prevent misplacing or loss.
Even if you do not like using a pocketchalker....Doug does offer a variety of options to the basic 'cup'/'SnapStrap' configuration...so there should be something for everyone, as to preference. Definitely much better and nicer a concept than a traditional plastic chalkbox.
Pricing, direct from Doug's website: http://www.pocketchalker.co.uk/ is on par with what you would pay for the original PocketChalker direct from Billiards 911 here in the States...save the fact that the International shipping is INCLUDED in the price of the EuroPocketChalker...which is kinda nice.
I would definitely recommend the EuroPocketChalker to anyone who may be thinking about picking one up...it is a top quality billiard/pool product!!
Please note: I have absolutely nothing against the original PocketChalker or their creators...it was a brilliant and simple solution to hanging onto and keeping ready-at-hand your personal cube of chalk. I have owned one since they first appeared on the scene. I just happen to think that Doug has taken an already great product concept, and made it even better, with a few nice personal touches. Kudos!
Lisa