Mentored
- Thread starter JB Cases
- Start date
This case was done as a tribute and assistance to one of my mentors Chas Clements. Chas was one of the worlds best leather crafters, trained in fine arts, who sadly lost the use of his thumbs and then suffered full body frostbite. This left him unable to pursue the craft he had spent decades mastering.
Chas was a mentor of sorts to me. While not an apprentice I did sit with him in his workshop and soak up his philosophy on quality in both construction and design. Basically Chas felt that he should build leather gear that your life could depend on because it just might. I have tried to follow that instruction in our own case making.
When Chas was injured he was left with several cue case customers who had paid deposits and were left without any way to get the cases or even a refund. Chas held out hope for years that he would be healthy enough to get back to the workbench and it didn't happen.
Several years ago I stepped in to offer to take over the orders and try to do a case for any of Chas' customers that would at least be something tangible for their money. Only two of Chas' customers took us up on it. We completed one such case last year and this year it is Joerg's turn. This case has taken a lot longer than it should have but it's all original art. We took Joerg's ideas of a Pegasus combined with Celtic knotwork and ended up with a Pegasus that is flying with the wind with the vines below that then morphs into knotwork, sort of a modern version of Celtic knots, instead of the same ones we are all familiar with.
The art was done by Dino Copreros, the tooling done by Dali Wang and the rest of our staff built the case. We hope that Joerg will like it as well. It's not a Chas but it is the best we can do to emulate and honor my mentor's work in service to his customer.
Chas was a mentor of sorts to me. While not an apprentice I did sit with him in his workshop and soak up his philosophy on quality in both construction and design. Basically Chas felt that he should build leather gear that your life could depend on because it just might. I have tried to follow that instruction in our own case making.
When Chas was injured he was left with several cue case customers who had paid deposits and were left without any way to get the cases or even a refund. Chas held out hope for years that he would be healthy enough to get back to the workbench and it didn't happen.
Several years ago I stepped in to offer to take over the orders and try to do a case for any of Chas' customers that would at least be something tangible for their money. Only two of Chas' customers took us up on it. We completed one such case last year and this year it is Joerg's turn. This case has taken a lot longer than it should have but it's all original art. We took Joerg's ideas of a Pegasus combined with Celtic knotwork and ended up with a Pegasus that is flying with the wind with the vines below that then morphs into knotwork, sort of a modern version of Celtic knots, instead of the same ones we are all familiar with.
The art was done by Dino Copreros, the tooling done by Dali Wang and the rest of our staff built the case. We hope that Joerg will like it as well. It's not a Chas but it is the best we can do to emulate and honor my mentor's work in service to his customer.
Hey John,
Sorry to hear about your friends frostbite injury, what a shame to have that experience in a craft and then lose your dexterity.
The work you guys are offering is very artful and beautiful.
JB Cases rock!
JMO,
Rick
Sorry to hear about your friends frostbite injury, what a shame to have that experience in a craft and then lose your dexterity.
The work you guys are offering is very artful and beautiful.
JB Cases rock!
JMO,
Rick
John,
This is a great case, unique in design, quality built and follows what a Clements case might have looked like for this customer.
It is appreciated how you have "picked up the tools " and done the work in Clements' name.
I remember well when his case work was presented in the first Billiard Encyclopedia 20+ years ago and there was a clamor for his gorgeous work.
Will Prout
This is a great case, unique in design, quality built and follows what a Clements case might have looked like for this customer.
It is appreciated how you have "picked up the tools " and done the work in Clements' name.
I remember well when his case work was presented in the first Billiard Encyclopedia 20+ years ago and there was a clamor for his gorgeous work.
Will Prout
Awesome case John! I contacted Chas many years ago about a case but evidently it was right after he injured his hand. Wish I had contacted him sooner because his work was off the charts. I wonder how he's doing today.
Hi John,
I don't check AZB too often and it was such a huge pleasant surprise to me to see your post with pictures of my Pegasus theme case completed!!
Absolutely love how your team put the individual design elements that we discussed into the overall design.
I wanted something very unique out of this case, but at the same time still something I can actually use when I go out and play pool - so not too "loud". I think you absolutely nailed it and it came out just right!
Thank you very much for going through with your generous offer to hold up the deal with me for Chas!
I'll contact you via email to arrange delivery and some other details with you.
Just for everyone else reading this and considering a JB Case - this is not my first and I am 100% happy with any of John's cases I own (going back to some old Instroke cases that I used a lot and that are still in perfect condition!).
All the best
Joerg
I don't check AZB too often and it was such a huge pleasant surprise to me to see your post with pictures of my Pegasus theme case completed!!
Absolutely love how your team put the individual design elements that we discussed into the overall design.
I wanted something very unique out of this case, but at the same time still something I can actually use when I go out and play pool - so not too "loud". I think you absolutely nailed it and it came out just right!
Thank you very much for going through with your generous offer to hold up the deal with me for Chas!
I'll contact you via email to arrange delivery and some other details with you.
Just for everyone else reading this and considering a JB Case - this is not my first and I am 100% happy with any of John's cases I own (going back to some old Instroke cases that I used a lot and that are still in perfect condition!).
All the best
Joerg
First and foremost the pictures are terrible...someone must've been drinking on the job..
Any newer smart phone and steady hands can take better pics john..
Can't say i'm a huge fan of the theme but it's a handsome layout and these Chas cases certainly are built to last! Importantly when you use them you don't have to worry much about scarring them as it only makes for more character. Just like Jeans :grin-square:
Any newer smart phone and steady hands can take better pics john..
Can't say i'm a huge fan of the theme but it's a handsome layout and these Chas cases certainly are built to last! Importantly when you use them you don't have to worry much about scarring them as it only makes for more character. Just like Jeans :grin-square: