Question for you Instroke experts

BPG24

Banned
I know that instroke and JB are no longer affiliated and my guess is that the quality of leather is not as good as it once was. Here is my question.

Are they still using quality tubing in their cases?

Thanks in advance
 
Last edited:
Don't know about the quality level of leather or tubing but the TOP latch system is GREATLY improved on the newer cases.
 
I actually like the leather being used on the Cowboy nowadays: it's smooth & classy. The old leather seemed to be grainy (based on the old Instroke pics that I've seen)

The tubings have that snug fit that I really like. I haven't had any problems with my Instroke Buffalo & Cowboy
 
Hopefully John B or some other expert will chime in about the tubing.

I have had about 7 Instroke before with no problems but it has been about 3-4 years since I had one and i know how things can change when a business is sold.
 
BPG24 said:
Hmmmmm

Maybe this is in the wrong section

When I compared the leather with my older made in Germany Instroke cases, I noticed that the leather was thinner, so I never bought the made in China versions. So I don't know about the tubing - sorry.

The Omega cases seem to be close to the older Instroke cases.
 
My first Instroke case was one of the originals, it was a Buffalo. My main problem with that case, which I voiced to JB when we met in Vegas, was the length. I had a Paul Mottey that was 58.5 inches and it was a just fit in that case. I bought another buffalo case about a year or so ago, not knowing they had been sold to the Chinese. My first impression of the case was that the leather seemed........different. I can't explain it......but not in a bad way, just not the same as my old case. I currently have 59 inch cues and they fit in with plenty of room to spare. The tubes don't seem to be any different than the one I had before. The butt and shafts are held in snug but not tight. I've heard that latches have broken off of the Chinese cases but I have to be a bit skeptical of that and ask "What in the hell are these people doing to their cases that the latches break?"

Anyway, I've had both versions of the case and to be honest, I can't really tell a difference. Only thing really different is that my cues have no problems fitting now so I guess I'd have to say I prefer the one I have now.
MULLY
 
I've had a couple of them, and the newest one is absolutely great. You don't need to worry about the protection of your cues. You can drive a truck over the case and not hurt the cues inside.

Still waiting to see my new JB Custom when it gets finished.

Steve
 
BPG24 said:
I know that instroke and JB are no longer affiliated and my guess is that the quality of leather is not as good as it once was.
Is there a basis for this guess?


BPG24 said:
Here is my question.

Are they still using quality tubing in their cases?

Thanks in advance
It's PVC tubing. I guess I can't see how it could be bad quality.

But, in any event, you shouldn't have to worry about the leather or the tubing. And if you're nervous about it, I'd suggest and Omega Case since.

Fred
 
The tubing used on the cases from Germany is straight from the hardware store. It's 40mm OD plumbing tubing for the butts and 23mm electrical tubing for the shafts.

The Taiwanese cases use tubing that is specially made for the cases where the inside diameter is slightly larger to allow for cues with slightly stickier wraps.

The leather quality is nearly the same. Although there are certainy differences of opinion amongst those who have had both.

The Taiwanese have the Diamond Latch which is a stronger version of the twist lock. The main feature of this latch is that it rivets at the top and bottom so that it doesn't move and work itself loose. Also the shaft on the turnbuckle is larger and longer so that it is much harder to break. Since going to that latch the incidence of latch issues has gone down to practically nothing.

Omega carries cases by the German Instroke called Stroke Sports and I think called Omega cases.

Both cases are top quality, inside and out. As I have said many times the Taiwanese ones have the improvements in construction that the German ones lack. This is because after I parted with the Germans in 2001 there wasn't any improvement. I don't know however if this is still true as I have not picked up and inspected a new Stroke Sports case in many years.

John - wants to make cushy furniture instead of cue cases. :-)


.
 
Back
Top