Quality of leather in cases

[Chopdoc]

I couldn't agree more! :thumbup: From what i've learned so far, and i've got a LOT more to learn, i believe oil tanned leather is what your refering to, something like this



I'm still working out the details of my case but the non-shiny look is what i'm after. Now how thick do we want it to be? Is there a point where it's just too thick?

Brian

Now THAT I really dig.

Nice heavy oil tanned leather.

It looks like you could drag it by a chain down a gravel road behind your pickup truck and it would be fine. :thumbup:

 

[ronscuba]

Now see that looks thin and stiff to me. Like cardboard.

Guess, I have exceptions to my rules. :smile: Maybe for me it's a matter of appreciating something well designed, made, created.

Blondes, brunettes, redheads, tall, short, all can be beautiful.

 

[ronscuba]

A Rusty Melton case.

Sheridan style tooling is normally not my thing, but I have exceptions. Speaking of thick leather, I like the thickness of the handle.

 

[ridewiththewind]

I couldn't agree more! :thumbup: From what i've learned so far, and i've got a LOT more to learn, i believe oil tanned leather is what your refering to, something like this



I'm still working out the details of my case but the non-shiny look is what i'm after. Now how thick do we want it to be? Is there a point where it's just too thick?

Brian

I have this exact case...I can tell you the oiled leather of this case is pretty darn thick! Also, minor scuffs/scratches just rub out with the hand...which is nice. I live in an area of the country where it rains all the dang time...and no water spot stains yet!

With leather thickness...be careful what you wish for! Back in my riding days, I ordered up a set of leathers from perhaps the premier custom motorcycle leather shop...Langlitz Leathers of Portland, OR. I was offered the option of a couple of leather types, as well as a high quality cowhide in 3 thicknesses. I was going to opt for the jacket and pants to be in the heavy leather. They suggested I try on a jacket made from the heavy stuff and I walked around with it on for a while....OMG!...that jacket was very very very heavy in overall weight. I opted for the medium weight, while still heavy...no where near the weight of the other, but the same amount of protection. The lighter weight was going to be too light for our slightly cooler climes and primarily McAdamized back roads (serious road rash potential).

Point is this....the heavier weight the leather, the greater the carrying weight...especially when carrying a fully loaded case.

 

[bhale]

Point is this....the heavier weight the leather, the greater the carrying weight...especially when carrying a fully loaded case.

This is also another of my concerns, how much would a 2x4 case made with the heavy leather weigh? Figuring 2 sticks with joint protectors @ ~25oz each plus 2 extra shafts @ ~8oz each, that totals out at ~4 lbs, not a lot and i'm only carrying it for short distances. So a case that weighs an additional 10 lbs for a total of 14 lbs doesn't sound that bad. Or is it???

Brian

BTW, can you give your opion of that case? It's real close to what i'm looking at ordering

 

[Chopdoc]

Guess, I have exceptions to my rules. :smile: Maybe for me it's a matter of appreciating something well designed, made, created.

Blondes, brunettes, redheads, tall, short, all can be beautiful.

I have a great appreciation for his work and for that case. I am just saying how the leather looks to me. :smile:

 

[ronscuba]

Now THAT I really dig.

Nice heavy oil tanned leather.

It looks like you could drag it by a chain down a gravel road behind your pickup truck and it would be fine. :thumbup:

Nice description. I believe John named this case Tough Love.

 

[Chopdoc]

I have this exact case...I can tell you the oiled leather of this case is pretty darn thick! Also, minor scuffs/scratches just rub out with the hand...which is nice. I live in an area of the country where it rains all the dang time...and no water spot stains yet!

With leather thickness...be careful what you wish for! Back in my riding days, I ordered up a set of leathers from perhaps the premier custom motorcycle leather shop...Langlitz Leathers of Portland, OR. I was offered the option of a couple of leather types, as well as a high quality cowhide in 3 thicknesses. I was going to opt for the jacket and pants to be in the heavy leather. They suggested I try on a jacket made from the heavy stuff and I walked around with it on for a while....OMG!...that jacket was very very very heavy in overall weight. I opted for the medium weight, while still heavy...no where near the weight of the other, but the same amount of protection. The lighter weight was going to be too light for our slightly cooler climes and primarily McAdamized back roads (serious road rash potential).

Point is this....the heavier weight the leather, the greater the carrying weight...especially when carrying a fully loaded case.

Langlitz! :thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

 

[ronscuba]

I have a great appreciation for his work and for that case. I am just saying how the leather looks to me. :smile:

Yep, respectful opinions and everyone has their own taste.

My wife likes the shiny light weight, thin leather, Whitten cases. Not for me, but definitely a quality case. I should say, looks like thin leather. I have not measured or compared side by side.

http://www.whittencases.com/The_4x2_Lite.html#13

 

[ridewiththewind]

This is also another of my concerns, how much would a 2x4 case made with the heavy leather weigh? Figuring 2 sticks with joint protectors @ ~25oz each plus 2 extra shafts @ ~8oz each, that totals out at ~4 lbs, not a lot and i'm only carrying it for short distances. So a case that weighs an additional 10 lbs for a total of 14 lbs doesn't sound that bad. Or is it???

Brian

BTW, can you give your opion of that case? It's real close to what i'm looking at ordering

Hands down the best and nicest case I have ever owned!! For an everyday carry case...hard to do much better for durability and protection.

John's cases are made to last 2 lifetimes or more....seriously. The stitching is spot on. Quality fasteners and fittings throughout. The leather is high quality as well, and very easy to care for. I get asked about it all the time. (John, I need more business cards!) While the exterior is top notch...it's really the interiors of theses cases that shines! You can almost hear your cues go "ahhhhhhh" as they settle into their plushy home. I opted for the blue interior. You really can turn these cases upside down fully loaded, and your cues aren't going anywhere...I've done it!! I also like the non-skid rubber pad on the case bottom as opposed to feet...works great! Case can stand completely upright, or lean without the worry of it falling over. My case actually has the added feature of a 'shelf' inside the top pocket, which allows me quick access to and storage for a piece of chalk and my joint protectors, which I love:

Honestly, I have complete confidence that my cues are safe inside a JB case....period. I am a big fan of the 2x5/3x4 config, just because it's so versatile....and done in a footprint similar or perhaps even smaller than a traditional 2x4. John could better give you an idea of the case's weight both empty and full.

Here is the direct link to pics of my actual case...decide for yourself:

http://www.jbcases.com/lisas-future.html

Lisa

 

[bhale]

Thank You Lisa!!!

Great looking case !

I like that pocket idea a lot, have to get John to put that in mine when he makes it. Can i trouble you one more time, please... Can you give me the measurements of the case, Length, Width and Height. Also, is that the 2x5/3x4 config in your case?

Thanks!
Brian

 

[Chopdoc]

I do dig that JB case, have since I first saw it. I really don't generally prefer the cowboy style though.... It's the leather that attracted me to that one. I don't prefer veg tanned and I do like oil tanned.

Since I have been learning to work with leather I have a serious appreciation for hand stitching as well and much prefer it over machine stitching like that one has. A nice double needle saddle stitch is far stronger and more durable than a straight machine lock stitch. I actually love doing it. It's almost therapeutic.

So...it's not my ideal case by any means, but I do like it.

 

[ridewiththewind]

Thank You Lisa!!!

Great looking case !

I like that pocket idea a lot, have to get John to put that in mine when he makes it. Can i trouble you one more time, please... Can you give me the measurements of the case, Length, Width and Height. Also, is that the 2x5/3x4 config in your case?

Thanks!
Brian

32 5/8" Length (bottom to top, lid removed)
5 5/8" Width (exterior dimension, lid removed)
3" Depth (exterior dimension, lid removed)

Yes...2x5/3x4.

It should be noted that with my 58" cue with joint protectors, there is still 1" more of clearance to the lip of the case.

 

[Rusty Melton]

A Rusty Melton case.

Sheridan style tooling is normally not my thing, but I have exceptions. Speaking of thick leather, I like the thickness of the handle.

Ron, The top handle on this one is 12-13 oz. saddle skirting. I while back someone thought my top handle wasn't thick enough so since then I started making the top handles very thick, 12-13 oz on all of the 2x4 cases and larger. It makes it tough to hand sew these to the lid but sometimes you have to take one for the team and just do it.

I do dig that JB case, have since I first saw it. I really don't generally prefer the cowboy style though.... It's the leather that attracted me to that one. I don't prefer veg tanned and I do like oil tanned.

Since I have been learning to work with leather I have a serious appreciation for hand stitching as well and much prefer it over machine stitching like that one has. A nice double needle saddle stitch is far stronger and more durable than a straight machine lock stitch. I actually love doing it. It's almost therapeutic.

So...it's not my ideal case by any means, but I do like it.

Chopdoc, I can appreciate the hand stitching myself. The last case I posted in the gallery is mostly hand stitched. The only parts on that case that were stitched on a machine is the handle and the stitching around the lid, everything else is saddle stitched. If you want a challenge try saddle stitching the main seam on a case like I do on that style of case. You have to sew a blind saddle stitch by reaching inside of the case to sew it, I promise your hands will hurt for a few days after you fumble around trying to put the needle in the holes that you can't see down the 33 inches of the case.

 

[ShootingArts]

Easy money in the bank!

Ok. Time for another JB bet. Hu is now on ignore and I bet a cue case to be raffled off that no matter what he says about me I won't respond. So Hu you now have free license to slander me as much you want to and I won't respond on AZB.

Should I respond directly to Hu then I will raffle off a case and donate the proceeds to the BCA junior player's fund.

Slandering me all over the place isn't a direct response so as usual you leave yourself plenty of weasel room.

Simple fact, readers can search this site long and hard trying to find where I have attacked someone without being attacked first. Paranoid dipsticks might feel that anything but kissing their ass is an attack but that isn't the standard normal people use.

john moves from one clash to the next with poster after poster because of his deep seated inferiority complex which makes him see anyone that he perceives as better at anything as a threat. We can't help being better than john at many things because he has put so much effort into trying to convince people he is something he isn't that he hasn't had time to become much of anything. So he can oversee a cue case shop. Big whoop-de-do, so can anyone that can copy other people's designs. I may get around to having a couple things made that I want to carry my cues in but if I do they will be my unique designs, the construction design of the piece, not a stray flower stamped into it or basketweave rolled into it exactly as it is into dozens of other basketweave roll stamped pieces. If people like my cue carriers I can look forward to seeing the same designs from JB Cases. Wouldn't that be just wunnerful??

See you in the funny papers john!

Hu

 

[Chopdoc]

Chopdoc, I can appreciate the hand stitching myself. The last case I posted in the gallery is mostly hand stitched. The only parts on that case that were stitched on a machine is the handle and the stitching around the lid, everything else is saddle stitched. If you want a challenge try saddle stitching the main seam on a case like I do on that style of case. You have to sew a blind saddle stitch by reaching inside of the case to sew it, I promise your hands will hurt for a few days after you fumble around trying to put the needle in the holes that you can't see down the 33 inches of the case.

Believe me I have looked closely at your excellent work and I understand the difficulty of the long blind stitch. I have already experienced the sore hands and fingers of course but I have not yet attempted a long blind stitch. I run through it in my head the way I would a surgical procedure. Over and over. I will do it. But not yet. One advantage I have is very small hands. A size 6 1/2 surgical glove if that means anything to you.

I find saddle stitching to be very soothing, almost ritualistic. It gets you more in touch with the materials, it's more intimate somehow. On an artistic level I think you kind of meld with the materials. There is soul in such work IMHO.

I also like the natural materials used. My most recent saddle stitching was done with black 0.8mm hemp cord, not twine which is the fuzzy hemp everybody knows from crafting, the cord is almost indistinguishable from linen. I came by a couple spools of the stuff and waxed it up. It's great and of course strong as all get out since it's hemp.


.

 

[Rusty Melton]

Believe me I have looked closely at your excellent work and I understand the difficulty of the long blind stitch. I have already experienced the sore hands and fingers of course but I have not yet attempted a long blind stitch. I run through it in my head the way I would a surgical procedure. Over and over. I will do it. But not yet. One advantage I have is very small hands. A size 6 1/2 surgical glove if that means anything to you.

I find saddle stitching to be very soothing, almost ritualistic. It gets you more in touch with the materials, it's more intimate somehow. On an artistic level I think you kind of meld with the materials. There is soul in such work IMHO.

I also like the natural materials used. My most recent saddle stitching was done with black 0.8mm hemp cord, not twine which is the fuzzy hemp everybody knows from crafting, the cord is almost indistinguishable from linen. I came by a couple spools of the stuff and waxed it up. It's great and of course strong as all get out since it's hemp.


.

I know I feel the same way. But when you're finished with it you can take extra pride in knowing the time and effort that went into it, even though very few people will ever notice the extra work that you put into it. I always feel good though when I get the the stitching part because that means that I haven't messed it up yet, then I can relax, put on some music, sit on the couch and sew it up. I look forward to seeing what you can come up with!

 

[ShootingArts]

Liar!!

I have repeatedly been called a liar in this thread concerning my statements about unsafe leather from china and the working conditions and pay there.

Hopefully this will be my last post concerning this crap. I was unwilling to spend time doing any digging to please john barton but my word does matter to me. Most that know me are well aware I don't lie, for those in the middle or even those biased towards john's BS, read for yourself and think for yourself.

My apologies to those that have requested I quit the derailment of this thread. I have quit multiple times in the past in other threads and it only emboldened john that he could outlast me and "win" in his mind.

Hu


Dangerous chemical in leather gloves

from china.
Chrome VI has also been found in leather gloves In Germany; in this case the products were manufactured in China and have been deemed as a chemical risk, therefore the leather gloves have been voluntarily withdrawn from the market.http://www.blcleathertech.com/blog/...n-more-consumer-products/2012/03/22/#more-974

Check out page six, another dangerous chemical in chinese leather.
http://www.chem.unep.ch/unepsaicm/c... Risk Management On PFOS In China-Yao Wei.pdf

another issue with chinese leather from consumer reports
http://news.consumerreports.org/saf...as-couches-rashes-chemical-burns-britain.html

I could keep going about the leather but I assume the point has been abundantly made. There is such a large bulk of information about the most recent issues that it is time consuming to wade deeper.



A chinese car subcomponent supplier. The horror story of maimed workers due to safety devices turned off to speed production and other abuses are well documented in this article. The entire article really should be read for those wanting to understand what we are dealing with in china.

The Yuwei Plastics and Hardware Product Company Ltd in Dongguan, China produces auto parts for export to Ford which, according to workers, accounts for 80 percent of total production. The Yuwei factory has a U.S. office and warehouse in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Workers earn a base wage of just 80 cents an hour, while working 14-hour shifts, seven days a week. During the peak season, workers will toil 30 days a month, often drenched in their own sweat. Prospective hires are told they must "work hard and endure hardship."http://www.globallabourrights.org/reports?id=0629

 

[ronscuba]

I know I feel the same way. But when you're finished with it you can take extra pride in knowing the time and effort that went into it, even though very few people will ever notice the extra work that you put into it. ....

This says a ton Rusty. You doing it as much for yourself as you are for your paying customers. A key sign of an artist with a passion for their work. I edit video as a hobby. I can spend days on a 30 second section tweaking and adjusting. The end result is satisfying to me, but most won't even notice the change.

Would you mind displaying your own personal case or a customer case that matches 100% of your own taste ? If you don't want to, I can understand. With the internet, sometimes it is better to keep certain things to yourself.

 

[PoolSharkAllen]

I have repeatedly been called a liar in this thread concerning my statements about unsafe leather from china and the working conditions and pay there.

Hopefully this will be my last post concerning this crap. I was unwilling to spend time doing any digging to please john barton but my word does matter to me. Most that know me are well aware I don't lie, for those in the middle or even those biased towards john's BS, read for yourself and think for yourself.

My apologies to those that have requested I quit the derailment of this thread. I have quit multiple times in the past in other threads and it only emboldened john that he could outlast me and "win" in his mind.

Hu


Dangerous chemical in leather gloves

from china.
Chrome VI has also been found in leather gloves In Germany; in this case the products were manufactured in China and have been deemed as a chemical risk, therefore the leather gloves have been voluntarily withdrawn from the market.http://www.blcleathertech.com/blog/...n-more-consumer-products/2012/03/22/#more-974

Check out page six, another dangerous chemical in chinese leather.
http://www.chem.unep.ch/unepsaicm/c... Risk Management On PFOS In China-Yao Wei.pdf

another issue with chinese leather from consumer reports
http://news.consumerreports.org/saf...as-couches-rashes-chemical-burns-britain.html

I could keep going about the leather but I assume the point has been abundantly made. There is such a large bulk of information about the most recent issues that it is time consuming to wade deeper.



A chinese car subcomponent supplier. The horror story of maimed workers due to safety devices turned off to speed production and other abuses are well documented in this article. The entire article really should be read for those wanting to understand what we are dealing with in china.

The Yuwei Plastics and Hardware Product Company Ltd in Dongguan, China produces auto parts for export to Ford which, according to workers, accounts for 80 percent of total production. The Yuwei factory has a U.S. office and warehouse in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Workers earn a base wage of just 80 cents an hour, while working 14-hour shifts, seven days a week. During the peak season, workers will toil 30 days a month, often drenched in their own sweat. Prospective hires are told they must "work hard and endure hardship."http://www.globallabourrights.org/reports?id=0629

It's well known that Chinese safety and enforcement standards are well below what we have here in the U.S. Most of you may recall the tainted toothpaste scandal from five years ago, in which poison was found in toothpaste and other cosmetic products exported from China.

More recently, the NY Times wrote a expose on the human costs for workers in China (who manufacture iPads for Apple Corp.):
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/26/b...n-china.html?_r=2&nl=todaysheadlines&emc=tha2

As some examples of violations reported by the NY Times: "Employees work excessive overtime, in some cases seven days a week, and live in crowded dorms. Some say they stand so long that their legs swell until they can hardly walk. Under-age workers have helped build Apple’s products, and the company’s suppliers have improperly disposed of hazardous waste and falsified records, according to company reports and advocacy groups that, within China, are often considered reliable, independent monitors."

So there certainly could be more than a grain of truth to what Hu says.