Owners of a Murnak, Justis, or Whitten Cue Case

C

Cocobolo Nut

Banned
The time is approaching to get a new Cue Case, (Christmas Present) and I am considering ordering a Murnak Vintage, Justis, or Whitten Cue Case.

But quite frankly can not decide upon what case to get. I do not have the funds available for all three VBG.

So I am hoping some owners of Murnak Vintage, Justis, or Whitten Cue Case would share with me their like and dislike about what they own. also what they might change if ordering a new Murnak Vintage, Justis, or Whitten Cue Case again.

I am looking to get a 3 x 6 configuration, and color, trim, name on case is somewhat unimportant to me.

What I want is protection for Cues, storage room for accessories, towel holder, ease of getting into the cases pockets, and last a place/compartment/pocket for a Jump Butt/Handle.
 
I'd go with a Justis. Jack made one for me about a year of so ago, and it is without a doubt, the best case I have ever owned. I've had (or still have) George's and Whittens, and they just don't compare to the Justis. Also, Jack is one of the nicest gentleman you can deal with. He is a TRUE craftsman.:D
 
Cocobolo Nut said:
The time is approaching to get a new Cue Case, (Christmas Present) and I am considering ordering a Murnak Vintage, Justis, or Whitten Cue Case.

But quite frankly can not decide upon what case to get. I do not have the funds available for all three VBG.

So I am hoping some owners of Murnak Vintage, Justis, or Whitten Cue Case would share with me their like and dislike about what they own. also what they might change if ordering a new Murnak Vintage, Justis, or Whitten Cue Case again.

I am looking to get a 3 x 6 configuration, and color, trim, name on case is somewhat unimportant to me.

What I want is protection for Cues, storage room for accessories, towel holder, ease of getting into the cases pockets, and last a place/compartment/pocket for a Jump Butt/Handle.
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I've a Murnak and a Whitten, but not a Justis (yet). With no opinion on a Justis, between the other 2 I'd go with the Whitten.
On the other hand, I don't use either of them on a regular basis. I use my Instroke Premier (Vinyl imitation leather) 3x5 case usually. I like the fact that the tubes are a little short than the butt and shafts and makes them much easier to remove. One of these days I'll bite the bullet and get an Instroke Buffalo series case I think.
 
I would never sleight one of the other case makers, but I do have a preferance.

Jim Murnak's case is superior to every other case I have put my hands on.

Please check the link in my sig for pics of my case.
 
I have to second Dave on the Murnak case! I've been through several myself and this is the finest I've ever had. I can't rave enough about it, or the man himself! A true craftsman!
 
I have a vintage Murnak 2x4 and think it's a great case. The only change I would have made is to order a 3x6...lol. I've owned a Whitten and seen a couple Justis cases. I prefer the Murnak and Whitten style over the Justis simply for the fact that I don't much care for the exposed metal rivets along the back of the Justis. The Murnak is also a bit more rugged than the Whitten as they don't seem to scuff/mark as easily.
 
Cocobolo Nut said:
The time is approaching to get a new Cue Case, (Christmas Present) and I am considering ordering a Murnak Vintage, Justis, or Whitten Cue Case.

But quite frankly can not decide upon what case to get. I do not have the funds available for all three VBG.

So I am hoping some owners of Murnak Vintage, Justis, or Whitten Cue Case would share with me their like and dislike about what they own. also what they might change if ordering a new Murnak Vintage, Justis, or Whitten Cue Case again.

I am looking to get a 3 x 6 configuration, and color, trim, name on case is somewhat unimportant to me.

What I want is protection for Cues, storage room for accessories, towel holder, ease of getting into the cases pockets, and last a place/compartment/pocket for a Jump Butt/Handle.
Click to expand...

I think all three would be good choices.

If weight is a concern, the Justis Pro-Lite in the larger configuration is going to be your lightest option. Plus when you order Jack Justis case, you're talking about the standard bearer of custom cue cases.

If pouch accessory is your major concern, especially with a jump handle, then I think the Murnak would be your best option of the three. Murnak has superb craftsmanship and artistry. He has also put a lot of forethought into what a player might be carrying and needing for access.

For non-showiness exuding with class plain and simple, Whitten would be the choice.

I'd definitely also consider an Instroke Cowboy, Saddle, or Buffalo.

Fred
 
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I tend to agree

14oneman said:
I'd go with a Justis. Jack made one for me about a year of so ago, and it is without a doubt, the best case I have ever owned. I've had (or still have) George's and Whittens, and they just don't compare to the Justis. Also, Jack is one of the nicest gentleman you can deal with. He is a TRUE craftsman.:D
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If your serious on the 3X6 I would consider one of Jacks new cases. I have one of his older style, which is more stiff as it has tubes and is fine for 2X4 but if I had got one his older style with the tubes for the 3X6, I think it would have been too heavy.

I like the Whitten cases, but I would only consider it if was matching with the cue I bought. I know that Whitten makes cases marked Gina for example.

The other casemaker I am not familiar with.

Hope I helped.

Your friend in pool,

Ken
 
I own an original 2x4 Justis as well as a Vintage Murnak. The Murnak is a bit on the heavy side BUT I prefer the design over the Justis. My Justis is a beauty and considerably lighter than the Murnak but I love the pocket designs and storage over the Justis. Jim M. made my case with my specifications, a pocket for Tony Ryan cue extender, jump handle as well as 3 other compartments. The black to dark cherry fade is spectacular and the workmanship is TOP NOTCH.
Of course my Justis is also very sweet and VERY well made, it really depends on design preference.. I feel that I got more case for my $$$$ with the Murnak.. You can see my case at Joe's Jim Murnak Case..

Peace, JBK
 
Even tough some of Jacks clientele can be a bit unsavory his cases are definitely first rate. Carrying a Justis can actually give even a slug like Betmore an air of sophistication. That evaporates quickly however when he opens his mouth and says something like “hey girly man, where’s the head …I gotta take a dump”

http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=25646

(P.S. I have a Justis and I love it, I think it gives me an air of sophistication.;)
 
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I have Justis and Whitten cases in different configurations 1x2,2x4, and 3x6 and I love them all. I would say the Justis is a more rugged case and takes a beating the best. You can't go wrong with either brand, they are both great cases in style and design and both have superb craftmanship. I guess I didn't help in your decision, that's why I have both.
 
Gotta say Justis, all the way. Excellent construction, and appearance. You can customize it anyway you choose, from exotic skins to tooling patterns etc etc etc. They really are in my mind the best made cases ever.
Chuck
 
duke@neo.rr.com said:
having never tried the other two cases but having 2 whittens now, I LOVE my Whitten cases! they're both only 1x2's, but they are by far the best cases I've personally EVER had! the leather is so soft, and they really aren't too heavy. neither have pockets or shoulder straps, but I wanted them that way...I'm pleased with my Whittens, so I have to recommend these fine cases
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I'd recommend a Whitten, I've had mine for 10 years + but if they are made the same way now I have one HUGE complaint. There is so much play in the shaft tubes on my case that you must stabilize them (I put foam plugs in mine, kinda annoying to do this each time). The rattling of the shafts inside, wears on the lining and also will wear on your shafts on bumpy roads or in the trunk of a car on a road trip at high speeds. I once had an irish linen wrap get cut inside a case I had years ago (not a whitten) and when I took my cue out to play the linen unravelled oops. The lining on a case is extremely important, and the seams in the tubes are usually the culprit.
 
Wish I had all 3!

Have owned a beautiful 2X4 Justis and switched to 2X4 and 2X2 Whittens. Couldn't go wrong with either maker (haven't seen a Murnak).

I'd give the edge to Whitten overall. Not much for JJ's sliver pocket zippers- you need needle nose pliers to extract a cube of chalk. :p

Love my looong pocket Whitten w/three sided 25 inch full length zipper opening shown below:
Whitten 42 cognac.gif
 
Hey you need to get a Justis...

But when I am traveling light I take two fellini's, get two big electrical tie straps and strap them back to back, then put one in between them for a handle. Don't laugh.. it works...

JV
 
i own 4 whittens, only because they came with my 3 ginas and hercek. Truth be told, i think they are garbadge, and would never spend any of my hard earned dollars for his sub par construction.

I owned a justis, and although it was fairly well made, always felt that it was more of a production case, very unoriginal, and seemed like much of the work was NOT done by hand. I recently got to see one of his new pro-lite cases, and although there are some obvious reasons why onewould want a lighter case, I don't believe anycue owner who has invested alot of money in a cue could be comfortable with the protection the insides offer. I am not sure what type of cue you have, but I wouldn't put anything of value in there.

I also own a very expensive murnak case, upwards of almost $4000.00. Sorry, i don't have pictures, but it is on his site under the custom section. The case took 6 months to build, and each week, jim brought me the work to see, incase there were any changes etc. the case is a one off that is syyled exactly to look like my everyday playing cue (a gina). The case has handcarved veneers and points. The snakewood is handpainted, and the ivory (faux as jim wont work with real ivory) inlays are anchored inside the leather and will never "pop" out. because of the configuration of the internal tubes in a "u" shape, this allowed for the pockets to go "inside" the case. I like a smooth appearance on the outside, so there are no pockets on the outside to snag,

All my pocket dimmensions, hardware, straps, lock etc. were custom designed.

WIth everyday use, the case has held up for the last year, and shows no sign of wear and tear.

Of course, no one has to spend more than a few hyndred dollars with jim to receive the same craftmanship, customer service and overall quality that i did. Presently i own about 16 cases, and murnaks is by far the best.

Give jim a try, I promise you that you wont be sorry. He is hungry for your business, he will never make you feel like he is doing you a favor by filling you order, like other casemakers will.

Best of luck.

randy goldwater
 
Mr. Wilson said:
I would never sleight one of the other case makers, but I do have a preferance.

Jim Murnak's case is superior to every other case I have put my hands on.

Please check the link in my sig for pics of my case.
Click to expand...

Why haven't you touched a Justis yet??

Jim
 
All 3 are good cases....

....I have owned Whitten, Justis, and Murnak. Nothing bad to say about any of them. Any of the 3 are great cases. In my opinion, my choices would be 1. Murnak, 2. Justis, and 3. Whitten. The Murnak and Justis are way above the production cases, I think. The Justis I had was a great case, but the Murnak that Jim Murnak made for me was off the hook. I also can't get over his contact and customer service. We spoke on the phone often, and he kept me informed of any delay, etc. He submitted rough sketches and drawings for approval prior to proceeding. The entire thing was a real pleasure, and the quality of the case is fantastic. Joe

Murnak2composite.jpg
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This is a great thread. Been trying to decide on a new case for awhile. Had it narrowed down to two. After the mostly constructive discussion it's down to one.....I THINK. THANKS!!!!!
 
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