Some case questions.

Posted in Uncategorized on June 16th, 2011 by John Barton

Some questions from the AZ BIlliards Forum – My answers in orange.
 

Felinni, Ron Thomas, Engles, et al questions - Today, 01:14 PM
 
 
 
I currently have a 3×7 Instroke leather case and I'm contemplating buying a Fellini / Ron Thomas / Engles case made of Elephant (incl Trunk), Ostrich, Alligator, Shark, Lizard, Kangaroo or some other exotic skin.

My questions are:

1. Do most people use these "exotic skin" cases to transport cues to the pool hall or just store the cues at home (I'm thinking about scratches, drying out of skin, etc)? 

Leather is meant to be used.  Just about every leather that one would use for a cue case is durable enough for daily use.  If you want it to stay pristine then don't use the case and keep it a dry cloth bag.  Condition the leather once a year and it will stay good.

2. Of the skins listed above, what are the most desirable /expensive (in order)? Which feels the best to the hand (in order)? Which is the strongest (in order)? Is there a website I can view to get more info on these skins?

Most desireable is elephant.  Best feel to the hand is kangaroo.  There are dozens of websites where you can learn about leather.  Google is your friend.

3. Most cases I've seen have a thin felt liner inside. Is this enough to protect a cue from vigorous transportation? Does the cue or shaft move about inside these cases? My Instroke has tubes which secure the butt and shafts snug.
 

How vigorous is the transportation going to be?  Mountain biking with the case strapped to the bike?  In most situations the cases listed will do an adequate job of not harming the cue during transportation.  In every case that does not have a padded interior such as your Instroke the cues will move vertically and they will oscillate with every bump.  If the transportation is truly vigorous, as in you drive down a really bumpy road every day then I would definitely advise you to get a case with a padded interior such as the GTF brand has.

4. Same question above, but regarding temperature, humidity and warping. Do these cases protect the cues from the weather extremes as well as one with tubes? 

All the slip cover cases have moisture barriers.  Padding is insulation so more padding is more insulation, less padding is less insulation and no padding is no insulation.  The more insulated the case is then the more it will slow down temperature change and allow the cue to acclimate to the environment.

5. Can those of you with these types of cases comment on why you prefer (or don't prefer) them over the "Instroke" type with tubes?

 
I prefer the padded fabric interior because it is more flexible and lighter than the multi-tube cases.

6. Can those of you with these types of cases comment on how you carry other accessories (chalk, rags, break cues, etc) since the majority of these don't have pockets? This question is for those who carry accessories (I know many of you don't).

I carry chalk and one tip tool in a small plastic bag that sits in the top of the case.

Thanks in advance for your replies.

 
 

Ray

You're welcome.

 

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