What is most important to you personally when you purchase a Pool Cue Case?

[CocoboloCowboy]

As there have been a series of Cue Case Maker War Thread, I thought I would has the question, and everyone the opportunity to voice their opinion on what is important to you personally.


IMPORTANT

Protection, Protection, Protection.

Weight, as some times I walk to where I am going.

Quality of Construction.

Fit my personal needs-aka USER Friendly.

Build to last.

Non Slip Shoulder Pad.

Warranty from Manufacturer.



NOT So IMPORTANT

Point of Origin, or Country where the item is made.

XYZ Pool Pro USES ONE, or Carry One.

Leather, Vinyl, or Fabric.

 

[Spantiznik]

Does it protect my cue's from the weather, does it hold the little gear that I have ? If the answer is yes. Then that case is what I want.

I don't like eye candy cases.

 

[sfleinen]

This thread is probably best served by boiling the issue down to barebones, by asking the simple question, "what is a cue case for?" Answer: protection.

Let's explore...

Technically, nothing's stopping you from carrying your cues in-hand wherever you go, wrapped with nothing but a postman's rubber band. It keeps the segments of your cues bundled together so that you have one item to carry, just like a cue case does. And, at SIGNIFICANTLY reduced expense. But the question is, do you want to?

A cue case is for protection of your cues. Period. Yes, it does make it convenient to carry your cues (in that you have one item to carry, instead of each segment of your cue), but so does a postman's rubber band. The difference is PROTECTION.

We can go on all day long of how a cue case is a fashion statement, or a "fear installation" statement (i.e.: "ooo, look at that guy/gal with the 'serious' looking cue case -- he/she must be a pro-fesh-ey-on-al!"), or whatever. But the bottom line is that the cue case's primary duty is to protect your cues.

If you're going to make the investment, why go half-assed about it? Why just get "some" protection? If you're going to spend those several-hundred-dollars on a case, make sure it does the job you bought it for in the first place -- TO PROTECT YOUR CUES -- without silly little "Read Me First!" disclaimer pamphlets that warn not to load your cues into the case a certain way, otherwise damage will result. That's just plain throwing your money away, IMHO. You're buying that case for what, looks? Stature? Opponent "fear installation" factor? Fashion statement?

Get a case for what it was designed for -- to protect your cues, fully and completely, with no disclaimers.

Afterall, what counts is what's INSIDE the case -- not the case itself.

-Sean

 

[classiccues]

Protection from what? I consider myself an above average, intelligent, individual that knows how to carry a cue. What the hell do I need to protect my cue from? It never leaves me, I have never had ONE cue issue due to a case in my lifetime, (not counting storage cases) my effing lifetime.

My one issue came in a traded case that was a porper knockoff that had this hideous black rubber instead of the foam. The black rubber fell apart and little pieces got in the tubes and everything I pulled out had black streaks on it.

I like looks, convienence, and most importantly if it's custom, I want access to the MAKER. I like to know the people building what I buy.

If I am just taking my cue to knock some balls around I normally carry it in a Fellini. If I am taking a break cue, my tube-style Justis, I use a Wave case to transport a few cues I am selling as well as an Instroke Silver Fox style case.

JV (---more important than the case.. is the person carrying it.

 

[TheNewSharkster]

Protection and durability are the main things I want. Secondary would be a large pouch to hold my claw/cue ball, shoulder strap and at least 2x2. Last but not least is the look of the case. I want it to look nice so when I walk in to a tournament I don't look like a hack with the $10 case.

 

[whitewolf]

Do the shafts hang in mid-air versus resting on the bottom of the case. In-Stroke is the best. Durable also.

 

[pfduser]

Protection from what? I consider myself an above average, intelligent, individual that knows how to carry a cue. What the hell do I need to protect my cue from? It never leaves me, I have never had ONE cue issue due to a case in my lifetime, (not counting storage cases) my effing lifetime.

My one issue came in a traded case that was a porper knockoff that had this hideous black rubber instead of the foam. The black rubber fell apart and little pieces got in the tubes and everything I pulled out had black streaks on it.

I like looks, convienence, and most importantly if it's custom, I want access to the MAKER. I like to know the people building what I buy.

If I am just taking my cue to knock some balls around I normally carry it in a Fellini. If I am taking a break cue, my tube-style Justis, I use a Wave case to transport a few cues I am selling as well as an Instroke Silver Fox style case.

JV (---more important than the case.. is the person carrying it.

I have to agree with this post.I always go for the looks of a custom case.Never really understood the protection of a case being the first thing people would look at.I've never had any damages to my cues in any of the cases I've owned.

 

[TheNewSharkster]

I have to agree with this post.I always go for the looks of a custom case.Never really understood the protection of a case being the first thing people would look at.I've never had any damages to my cues in any of the cases I've owned.

At the end of the day the whole idea behind a case it to protect your cue. For example, does your cue/shaft fit tightly in the tube? If it doesn't I would say it isn't doing a good job or protecting your cue....

 

[The Saw]

That my cue ball fits in the lid like this....

 

[The Saw]

And my cue extension fits inside the case like this...

 

[pfduser]

At the end of the day the whole idea behind a case it to protect your cue. For example, does your cue/shaft fit tightly in the tube? If it doesn't I would say it isn't doing a good job or protecting your cue....

I've owned all sorts of cases,both custom and production,and my cues has never been damaged.That's my experience,but I do baby my cues like a new born!:thumbup:

 

[broken]

- looks - simple, clean, non-descript.
- cost
- # of cues (2 full cues and jump)
- extra storage
- weight

and most importantly

- whether it fits into a locker

Websites are pretty bad when it comes to there h/w/l specs and weight specs

There's so much money left on the table in the business of pool that it's just not funny.

 

[TheNewSharkster]

I've owned all sorts of cases,both custom and production,and my cues has never been damaged.That's my experience,but I do baby my cues like a new born!:thumbup:

I totally agree but I also use a instroke case so I might be spoiled. If I were storing cues in a case that isn't tight I would be affraid they might warp over time. Also, the amount of pressure the case can take before the tubes crack should be relevant since somebody could step on the case or something to that extent.

 

[Monstermash]

As there have been a series of Cue Case Maker War Thread, I thought I would has the question, and everyone the opportunity to voice their opinion on what is important to you personally.


IMPORTANT

Protection, Protection, Protection.

Weight, as some times I walk to where I am going.

Quality of Construction.

Fit my personal needs-aka USER Friendly.

Build to last.

Non Slip Shoulder Pad.

Warranty from Manufacturer.



NOT So IMPORTANT

Point of Origin, or Country where the item is made.

XYZ Pool Pro USES ONE, or Carry One.

Leather, Vinyl, or Fabric.

Interesting post Cowboy.

One thing that is important to me is value for my money. You touched on "point of origin" and thats important to me as well. It goes along with value in that I wouldn't spend an a$$load on a case thats made in China for example. Something that was handmade here in the U.S. by a true craftsman that actually makes his own cases holds a lot of value for me. Not something that is made somewhere where the labor is cheap because that typically means lower quality. In almost every industry there are products made in China and they are ALWAYS the cheapest and most poorly made. There is a case "maker" that is a member here that would have you believe that he is the exception to the rule. Well if thats the case then why did he move to China to have his cases made. It's not because it's more expensive or because the weather is better. It's because he can get cheap labor and make cases of lesser quality and charge an a$$load of money for them to make more profit.

As you mentioned there has been a lot of controversy lately regarding cases/makers. So I'll ask this question, would you spend the same on a Chinese made cue as you would for a Prewitt, Mottey, White, Searing, etc?

 

[Spimp13]

Protection from what? I consider myself an above average, intelligent, individual that knows how to carry a cue. What the hell do I need to protect my cue from? It never leaves me, I have never had ONE cue issue due to a case in my lifetime, (not counting storage cases) my effing lifetime.


JV (---more important than the case.. is the person carrying it.

I agree 100% with this, end of thread lol.

 

[Koop]

As there have been a series of Cue Case Maker War Thread, I thought I would has the question, and everyone the opportunity to voice their opinion on what is important to you personally.


IMPORTANT

Made by John Barton

Protection, Protection, Protection.

Weight, as some times I walk to where I am going.

Quality of Construction.

Fit my personal needs-aka USER Friendly.

Build to last.

Non Slip Shoulder Pad.

Warranty from Manufacturer.



NOT So IMPORTANT

Point of Origin, or Country where the item is made.

XYZ Pool Pro USES ONE, or Carry One.

Leather, Vinyl, or Fabric.

You forgot one, I fixed it for you.

 

[Snapshot9]

Case

Reasonable protection, quality of construction, but I don't go overboard on the protection thing. I never put my case in a position to be abused. I keep it in a closet in my home, and just transport it when I go play.

After being someone who carried a 4 x 8 Porper case in Vegas for 10 days, weight of the case is more a factor for me, AND having a well padded shoulder strap.

I am picky about the pockets in a case. If they don't measure up to what I want I don't even consider the case. I have come to like a 3 x 5 case even though I don't fill it up all the way. (a 2 x 4 would really do me).

I do not like the custom cases that use a large oval shaped shell, and end up having a lot of unused space on the inside, making it bulky and clumsy to handle. I know a guy that spent $1300 on a custom case with such a shell, and it was too big and bulky and heavy for him to carry very long.

I have a slight fascination with Cue Cases and Jump Cues.

 

[manwon]

As there have been a series of Cue Case Maker War Thread, I thought I would has the question, and everyone the opportunity to voice their opinion on what is important to you personally.


IMPORTANT

Protection, Protection, Protection.

Weight, as some times I walk to where I am going.

Quality of Construction.

Fit my personal needs-aka USER Friendly.

Build to last.

Non Slip Shoulder Pad.

Warranty from Manufacturer.



NOT So IMPORTANT

Point of Origin, or Country where the item is made.

XYZ Pool Pro USES ONE, or Carry One.

Leather, Vinyl, or Fabric.

Who would you recommend Cowboy, based upon what you find important in construction, and customer service?

Thanks for your reply

 

[dr9ball]

Interesting post Cowboy.

One thing that is important to me is value for my money. You touched on "point of origin" and thats important to me as well. It goes along with value in that I wouldn't spend an a$$load on a case thats made in China for example. Something that was handmade here in the U.S. by a true craftsman that actually makes his own cases holds a lot of value for me. Not something that is made somewhere where the labor is cheap because that typically means lower quality. In almost every industry there are products made in China and they are ALWAYS the cheapest and most poorly made. There is a case "maker" that is a member here that would have you believe that he is the exception to the rule. Well if thats the case then why did he move to China to have his cases made. It's not because it's more expensive or because the weather is better. It's because he can get cheap labor and make cases of lesser quality and charge an a$$load of money for them to make more profit.

As you mentioned there has been a lot of controversy lately regarding cases/makers. So I'll ask this question, would you spend the same on a Chinese made cue as you would for a Prewitt, Mottey, White, Searing, etc?

I understand your point about why country of origin is important to you. Does it matter if the U.S. CaseMaker (could be a maker of anything really) uses some though not all parts that are imported from another country? (could be China, Tawain, Japan, Germany, etc.) Does it matter that they didn't make every single component of the case themselves?

Thanks for your reply.

 

[DogsPlayingPool]

I'm not sold on the whole tight fit idea. In my mind if all the pieces are tight then there is side pressure being exerted and I'm not convinced that won't potentially cause a problem, especially for the shafts. I like a case that has separate compartments for each piece so they are not clanging together, but a slight bit of wiggle room for each piece within its own compartment doesn't bother me as long as the pieces stand essentially straight up when the case is upright. At least I'm comfortable there is no sideways pressure being exerted on any of the pieces.

I'm no expert on case or cue making, wood warpage or anything. Just my thoughts, I don't like the idea of sideways pressure on my cue parts.