Anyone who purchases a cue should always set aside some money for the purchase of a cue case in order to protect their cue investment. Not only does a case provide you a way for you to carry your cue from place to place but it also protects it from any mishaps that may happen during transportation and storage. In this section we will outline the different types of cases and the advantages and disadvatages of each type.
The first type of case and the one commonly seen in movies is the box/luggage type case.(Figure 1) Like it's name implies, this type of case is shaped like a box and has hinges on one side where you can open it up. The insides usually are divided into sections for the butt and the shaft. Some even have a little section for accessories such as tip piks, chalk, etc. The outside can be constructed from any number of materials from aircraft aluminum to wood with leather, plastic, or vinyl being the most common forms. The cost of these cases start at a few U.S. dollars and go up from there depending on the size and materials.
Figure 1
A soft case is just what the name implies.(Figure 2) They are usually made of nylon, vinyl, or leather. These cases offer the least amount of protection because they can be bent thereby damaging the cue. As a result, these forms of cases are used chiefly for cue transportation and scratch prevention. Like the box type cases, the price ranges begin at several U.S. dollars and go up from there.
Figure 2
The first type of case and the ones most common among players are the tube type of case. (Figure 3) Tube cases can be anything from a round cylinder to an oval shaped cylinder. The inside cue section can be seperated by cloth or individual tubes. This form of case represents the best of both worlds because they offer comfortable transportability with a shoulder strap and/or handle and good to excellent protection to the cue. Prices for these cases start at about $20 U.S. on up.
Figure 3
You must now be wondering which case to get from the choices given. If you value your cue, you should get the best of the hard cases you can afford. The case should be well constructed and protect your cue from a fall or drop. A main point is that the cue be able to keep the temperature and humidity steady within the case and not let moisture in. The better brands of the tube cases usually fit the requirements here.
Tip 1: A common question about Instroke type cases asks what direction the cue should be put in eg joint up or down. The answer is that you can put the cue in any direction you choose without harming the cue as shown in Figure 4.
Figure 4
