JB Ultimate Rugged 2x5/3x4

[hclopez13]

Recently purchased JB Rugged Ultimate case, black, with orange stitching, zipper pulls and interior sleeve. Bought directly from JB's website.

I have an older custom Dennis Swift leather case that has served me very well for almost 20 years and I have taken very good care of, but as I upgrade my cues and gear to more "modern" pieces, I was searching for a second cue case of good quality. I am not retiring the Swift case, but I won't be taking it into tournaments or bars to get beat up after being with me for a very long time and all the effort I have put into taking care of it; planning to keep my Swift with my "classic" cues and gear in it and use it when I feel like it. Want to pass it along to my daughter or grandkids when the time comes.

We all know the flaws of most of the mass produced cases. Honestly, none of them appealed to me. I searched for US made cases but at this point, they seem to be all made by custom case makers and they are priced at substantially more of what I can afford at this point. I do not like products that are made in china and try to buy US made goods as much as I can.

With that being said, I understand John's business model, the thought that has been put in designing his cases and the quality he demands from his manufacturer in China. So, for the sake of functionality, quality construction and protection, I went ahead and bought a JB Ultimate Rugged case. I felt I could compromise by buying his well made product for a reasonable price, even if it is made in China; still supporting a US based company. The case was priced fairly close to other imported cases of inferior design and quality. A lifetime warranty was also a nice incentive to purchase his case.

The Ultimate Rugged case was shipped promptly by JB and arrived very well packed, protected by a nice blue velvet like fabric bag. This bag will serve well to protect the case when not in use.

The case is built like a tank and it is appealing; that is the best way I can describe it. Heavy duty stitching all around, leather reinforcements, quality zippers and a very nice padded interior. The additional pouch inside the large pocket for a jump cue butt is a nice addition and accesible from the outside via a zipper. The double backpack straps work great, with non slip shoulder pads; very comfortable to carry in backpack configuration or with just one strap on the shoulder. I like the ability to detach one or both straps at my leisure. The bottom is constructed of a very heavy duty piece of rubber. The Nylon fabric covering seems to be resistant to scuffs and scratches. It is indeed a very high quality case that was designed with a lot of thought for functionality and durability. I cannot find a single flaw or defect on the case and I am 100% satisfied with it. I would highly recommend the Ultimate Rugged case.

The only issue I have with the case is a matter of personal preference. The padded interior tightly secures the cues in place, but I found it hard to insert my shafts tip down and the butts joint down, as I am accustomed to do in my other cases; the tapers, pointed in the same direction, make for a very, very tight fit at the top of the padded insert, to the point where I struggled to remove the butts or shafts from inside of the case. So, I had to switch to butt joints down, and shaft tips up so each piece's taper match along each other, and while it is still a tight fit, it is a little looser and easier to insert and remove butts and shafts this way. I have found that inserting the shafts first, then the butts, and vice versa for removal, is the best way to do it. Again, this is a matter of personal preference and I do not consider it a flaw. I use joint protectors on all my cues so I don't expect to have any issues with debris or excessive wear to the padded insert.

Overall very pleased. JB makes a heck of a case and great bang for the buck. This will be my go-to case for my regular playing activities from now on.

Eddie

 

[Baron]

I had fancy leather cases for years - including a JB Mason and two custom Dinko cases, all of which I absolutely loved - but I eventually switched back to basic black JB ultimate rugged cases for the convenience and security. 200-300 bucks and you have a case you could literally drop off a building and your cues would probably survive.

I may switch back to leather someday as I’d love to have him make me another Mason case and I’d also love to get another case made by Dinko, but I got tired of worrying about these beautiful cases getting wet, or scratched, or it getting musty from moisture in the air (I live a block from the beach), or whatever. As of today I just take my case and literally throw it in the trunk sometimes and know my high dollar cues are in zero danger, and that level of security is priceless to me.

I do still have a big, beautiful leather 10x22 dealer case that Dinko made that is absolutely fantastic. But I can't be lugging that thing to the pool hall, lol.

 

[hclopez13]

I had fancy leather cases for years - including a JB Mason and two custom Dinko cases, all of which I absolutely loved - but I eventually switched back to basic black JB ultimate rugged cases for the convenience and security. 200-300 bucks and you have a case you could literally drop off a building and your cues would probably survive.

I may switch back to leather someday as I’d love to have him make me another Mason case and I’d also love to get another case made by Dinko, but I got tired of worrying about these beautiful cases getting wet, or scratched, or it getting musty from moisture in the air (I live a block from the beach), or whatever. As of today I just take my case and literally throw it in the trunk sometimes and know my high dollar cues are in zero danger, and that level of security is priceless to me.

I do still have a big, beautiful leather 10x22 dealer case that Dinko made that is absolutely fantastic. But I can't be lugging that thing to the pool hall, lol.

I absolutely love leather cases. This is my Dennis Swift. I believe he charged me $275 for it, to my specifications, almost 20 years ago. The days where a US made custom leather case built like a tank could be had for that price are done and gone, especially after Dennis went out of business.

 

[7stud]

2x5/3x4

If you use that case as a 2 butt x 4 shaft case it will work pretty well. As you found out, JB cases are a tight fit when you fill them up, therefore you have to be mindful that the tapers go in opposite directions. I'd rather load my cues in a case with padded tubes. No rattling and no banging your cues against the shafts when you load/unload, like with a JB case. Everything else about a JB case is top notch: zippers, pockets, straps, etc.

 

[hclopez13]

If you use that case as a 2 butt x 4 shaft case it will work pretty well. As you found out, JB cases are a tight fit when you fill them up, therefore you have to be mindful that the tapers go in opposite directions. I'd rather load my cues in a case with padded tubes. No rattling and no banging your cues against the shafts when you load/unload, like with a JB case. Everything else about a JB case is top notch: zippers, pockets, straps, etc.

You are spot on Sir. I have to be very mindful of how I insert the cues in the case, to prevent banging the parts against each other or scratching things up. It's almost like a "ritual" that has to be followed to the T, to avoid contact between the cue parts. I am routine oriented, usually very careful and deliberate in how I do things and do not mind taking my time being extra careful loading/unloading my cues from the case, but I can also see it as a minor issue if I have to pack up in a hurry, or a big issue for a fellow with very expensive cues and no patience/finesse to load the cues in the case.

I am happy with the level of protection of the padded insert affords to the cues when they are IN the case, no question about it, but like with anything else, time will tell if using the insert system will be to my liking in the long run. The insert system might not be for everybody.

I do have to agree in the ease of inserting/removing cues from a traditional padded tube case, like my Swift. Do the cues rattle a tiny bit? Yes. Are the tubes and bottom fully lined and padded? Yes. Will the tubes hold the cues when it's turned upside down? No. Is it an issue for me? No. In almost 20 years using the Swift case, I have never turned the case upside down while open and dropped my cues on the ground, so while it is nice that the JB insert offers peace of mind in that scenario, I do not foresee it happening, at least not from my own doing, but it could from someone else knocking my case down or something of that nature. I try to position all my cases in areas where they are as secure as possible, away from foot traffic and closed.

Eddie

 

[CocoboloCowboy]

JBCases makes and has made great Pool Cue Cases forever, don't think anyone else come close to quality, value, and last the "your way factor".

 

[SeniorTom]

I have a JB Rugged in blue, and it is a battle axe in build quality. Yes, it is a bit tight inserting the sticks, but I manage. When I have my expensive cue sticks inside, I have zero worries about their well-being . The blue is a nice color, and it is sturdy as anything looking. Although, I use a Predator Urbain 3x5 full length zip case as my daily normal carry case. It's hard to beat the storage area and easy access of my cues and accessories. I use my JB case when I want to keep things protected well. The Predator case has its issues, as most bags do, but having great storage capabilities makes the Predator very useful.

Predator Urbain Black and Yellow Hard Pool Cue Case - 3 Butts x 5 Shafts

www.predatorcues.com

 

[hclopez13]

JBCases makes and has made great Pool Cue Cases forever, don't think anyone else come close to quality, value, and last the "your way factor".

I agree 100%. I do not think there is a better quality case in the price range, with most other cases around the same price leaving much to be desired. The case is well designed and built. No question about it.

My only issue, and I do believe is personal preference from years of using a different case, has been the interior, and I have solved that by modifying how I store my cues and by being extra careful loading up the case. Those cues are ultra secure when inside of the case.

 

[hclopez13]

I have a JB Rugged in blue, and it is a battle axe in build quality. Yes, it is a bit tight inserting the sticks, but I manage. When I have my expensive cue sticks inside, I have zero worries about their well-being . The blue is a nice color, and it is sturdy as anything looking. Although, I use a Predator Urbain 3x5 full length zip case as my daily normal carry case. It's hard to beat the storage area and easy access of my cues and accessories. I use my JB case when I want to keep things protected well. The Predator case has its issues, as most bags do, but having great storage capabilities makes the Predator very useful.

Predator Urbain Black and Yellow Hard Pool Cue Case - 3 Butts x 5 Shafts

www.predatorcues.com

The Urbain are nice cases. I like the new special edition leather cases.

 

[CocoboloCowboy]

I bought a 2x4 Rugged , it is my favorite.

Looks good after many years use.

 

[7stud]

You are spot on Sir. I have to be very mindful of how I insert the cues in the case,

I wish JB would expand his offerings and also make tube style cases.

 

[Grilled Cheese]

I wish JB would expand his offerings and also make tube style cases.

The tubes would be a step backwards in terms of security for the cue. The whole philosophy behind JB's design is that the shafts and butt do not come out when the case is tipped or turns upside down.

It may be rare, but cues can come out of an open case a variety of ways. One example would be the case is open and the case falls straight down on it's side or back. Inertia can cause the cues to slide out onto the floor, getting scratched or dinged or hitting an object like the table or a stool. Another way is a case is open and on the table for something, and it falls off, gets bumped by someone. It can happen.

Even without an open case, there's one flaw with most tube designs. That is, when the case gets turned upside down, the butts and shafts partially exit the tubes and hit the inside of the top cover. On most cases allows them to rattle against one another. Imagine a case in car with vibration or being checked with luggage.

The only tube design I ever liked was/is Whitten, which the tubes come right up to the top cover, so no chance of anything touching.

 

[7stud]

The tubes would be a step backwards in terms of security for the cue. The whole philosophy behind JB's design is that the shafts and butt do not come out when the case is tipped or turns upside down.

I would guess that more than 50% of the people who buy JB cases never turn their cases upside down when the lid is open.

It may be rare, but cues can come out of an open case a variety of ways.
One example would be the case is open and the case falls straight down on it's side or back. Inertia can cause the cues to slide out onto the floor, getting scratched or dinged or hitting an object like the table or a stool. Another way is a case is open and on the table for something, and it falls off, gets bumped by someone. It can happen.

My cases are never open unless I am unloading/loading cues. And when the case is open, it is leaning against the pool table with my legs on either side of it, so it can't fall over. I know that people tend to extrapolate their personal experiences as universal human experiences, but I can't imagine I'm the only one who doesn't require a case to have a death grip on my cues.

Even without an open case, there's one flaw with most tube designs. That is, when the case gets turned upside down, the butts and shafts partially exit the tubes and hit the inside of the top cover. On most cases allows them to rattle against one another. Imagine a case in car with vibration or being checked with luggage.

Then it seems like case makers who use tubes should invent a cap that fits over all the tubes. Yeah, if I was flying with my cues, I would want a JB case, but for every day use, I think they are overkill.

The only tube design I ever liked was/is Whitten, which the tubes come right up to the top cover, so no chance of anything touching.

 

[SeniorTom]

I messed up a cue that fell out of a unzipped up case while putting it into the back of my car. I didn't have pin protectors on the stick and the two halves landed right on the concrete damaging it. Never say never, as accidents can happen.

 

[Wayben]

I have a 3X6 JB case and am very happy with it. It is definitely tight when fully loaded. I'm hoping that it will loosen up a bit after it has sat for a while fully loaded. It drives me nuts hearing my cues rattle around in a tube style case. Even though they probably aren't getting any damage, I just hate the sound. I'll take the tightness of the JB over the looseness of a tube style any day. Plus they are built like a tank and you can get them built however you want. I'll probably pick up a 2X3 before long.