JB Cue Cases

My name is John Barton. I have been a leather cue case maker since 1991. In 1991 I founded Instroke Cue Cases. In 2003 I sold my stake in Instroke and took a break from cue case making.

I started out making only one-of-a-kind unique cases. Each one was either a creation of my own devising or a collaboration between the customer's desire and my interpretation of that desire. In this way I crafted, with my team, around 200 cases before we moved into mass production in 1994.  My thoughts always stayed with all the unique cases we had created in the beginning.

Starting over in May 2007, I began taking orders again.  Until now, in May 2009 we have made around  60 unique  cases from mild to wild.  Addtionally we started a new semi-production line  where we are approaching the 100 case mark.

My philosophy is protection first.  I started making cases for one simple reason, protection. Not just any protection either. Specifically, protection against damage resulting from your cues coming out of the case when you don't want them to.  I had a $1400 Schon Cue that was broken because my open case was knocked off the table and the cue shot out of it and broke the butt cap as it clattered on the floor. That case was a $400 tooled leather beauty. Top of the line at the time. But it didn't do the one thing I felt it should and that was to protect my cues until I removed them from it.

 

What kind of protection am I talking about?  Read about it here in depth, Protection Matters.

As mentioned above, each case I make does not release the cues until you take them out.

Each case has high density foam rubber to pad against impact contusions. Each case has layers of insulation to provide some protection against environmental changes.

Each case is lined with a non-abrasive and non-moisture absorbing material to protect the finish from scratches and to help keep the cue dry. 

No cue parts will be allowed to touch each other at any point. Your cue will as protected as the design you choose allows for.


A case's function is first to protect it's contents and second to provide easy access to it's contents.  Following that idea I build cases where the form follows the function. Another way to look at it is a center-out approach.  Using the cues as the center, I put several layers of protection around them.

What is a custom case? 


A leather custom case is one that is made to your specifications within the limit of our abilities.  Each case we make is absolutely unique.  Some case makers will settle on a particular pattern and all of their cases will be simple variations of that pattern.  This is their look and style.  Our style is that there is not any thing that we won't try. The only thing we won't do is make an exact copy of one of our case making colleague's work.  Other than that  our only limitation is imagination and resources.

Over time we have found that some customers like the look of certain patterns we use and to that end we will also build cases using patterns we have developed.  So over the past few years we have developed several categories of cases, not lines, but simply models we named when we did the first one.  Then the next person comes along and says, "build me one like the Rolls Royce" and we do with a little twist here and there to keep it fresh and unique.  The major difference between us and our colleagues is that we don't charge extra to change our patterns around to suit your desire.  If it takes us a few minutes more to make you a longer or higher pocket then it's not a big deal.  We laser cut our parts and we are experts in modifying the pattern quickly and correctly.

The case you see below was a year in the making from first concept to finished case.  It has many innovative features and custom parts on it that you absolutely will not find anywhere else. 
See more of it here Doc's Case


What else do we do?  We design cue cases for the mass market as well.  We spend a lot of time researching and developing every aspect of cue cases.  Currently our new interiors and exterior designs are featured on 40 new and improved models being sold by Sterling Gaming.  We are also proud to say that we were chosen to make moden versions of the Fellini and Centennial cases, the GTF cases.  Even if you don't decide on a custom JB Case then there are plenty of choices out there to benefit from our dedication to cue protection.

I am proud to announce the creation of the J.Flowers Line of cases as well.  Jasper "Jay"  Flowers was a pioneer in this business and we have created a line to honor his contribution.  He stopped making in the mid 90s and left us in 2003.  Jay inspired many case makers including myself. 

At present I live and work in Xiamen, China.  I have built a small workshop to design and create pool cue cases.  My team consists of myself as the chief designer, teacher, quality control and marketing manager, a master tooler who focuses on the tooled and carved designs, a master seamstress for all the sewing aspects,  two apprentices for the tooling and construction and one graphic designer for the pattern making.  There is almost nothing outside the realm of possiblilty for us. 

I will do my utmost  to provide the highest level of protection usingthe  very best materials to fit your desired design and your stated needs. I won't be able to do the impossible but I might get close and surprise you with the results. All I ask in return beyond the price we agree on is your patience.  The actual construction of the case can take anywhere from a few days to a month.  The most time consuming part however is designing the perfect case.  Each customer gets the same special attention and you can see how a lot of orders will make it more difficult to respond to all inquiries quickly. We will get it done though and it will be worth the wait.

After nearly 20 years in this profession I am proud to say that myself and my team are ready to make you the case of your dreams.

Thank you for your time,

John Barton, Cue Case Maker


If you aren't in the market yet for our style of cases then I recommend the following makers. Please note that I don't endorse the relative protectiveness of these brands, with the exception of the ones I am involved with.  I do however feel that all them build solid cue cases worth owning.

GTF Cases - GTF has revived the Fellini and Centennial style of case.  - Shameless Plug - We did these and added some improvements to an already great design.  GTF cases are now the best in class for this style.


Sterling Pool Cue Cases and Billiard Supplies
- A wide assortment of inexpensive pool cue cases.
(most models JB Case Design)




Nittany Leather Custom Cue Cases - Brian Bonner builds solid and elegant cue cases.
Whitten Custom Cue Cases - Dan and Joe and family make the Jaguar of cue cases.  Easily the sleekest cases on the market a Whitten is very upscale.
Jim Murnak Custom Cue Cases - Jim is more my style with his willingness to try new things.  Jim has a variety of models and specializes in funky pockets.
Instroke Leather Cue Cases - My former company and my designs of course. Not much has changed since 1993. Now a "classic" design and still solid.

On Q Custom Cue Cases -  Garth Bair is making fine cases and specializes in the inlay designs.
Ron Thomas Cue Cases - Ron has revived the It's George and Centennial styles.  His cases are available through Indy Q Shop.
Dennis Swift Custom Cue Cases - I have never met Dennis but have seen plenty of his cases.  Swift cases are well crafted, traditionally tooled workhorses.
Jack Justis Custom Cue Cases - Jack is a legend in the cue case business.  Based off the style created by Jay Flowers he has forged his own distinctive look.
Erofey Evladin -  Erofey's cases bring a whole new look to cue cases.  A master purse maker he has easily transfered his unique patterns to his cue cases.  
Chas Clements - Chas holds a special place for me. He is a leather artist and casemaker of the highest art.
We collaborated on a few cases while I had Instroke and each one was beyond compare and sold within one hour of being offered.
  Chas was injured several years ago and that inuury all but ended his leather working career.  Now he is doing very very limited work.  If you can get any work done by Chas you will have a treasure for life.

Other new custom cue case makers who are making a name for themselves are Rusty Melton and Marc Turcasso.  Neither of these makers have a website yet but when they do I will list them here.


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