Instroke Buffalo Cowboy

[Tat]

The dark brown van just brought the new Instroke case from Seybert. The leather looks like it is well oiled, or treated. My first impression is the leather is so thin. I guess I got use to the heavy saddle harness type in my competition shooting gear. The German chrome tan leather for my shooting harness, shoes, jacket, and sling are still pliable after 30 years. May be this case would last longer! I guess I have to change my mind set and get use to this 'world economy'. It'll take a little while.

I don't think that I need to add any treatment to the leather for a very long time. The straps are very pliable, and the lid fits firmly without danger of it popping open even if I forget to buckle up. :?


Don't have much to add to the comment on quality other than the heft. It is advertised as light weight tubes, but it is a very substansial case.

There are couple of Rivet placements that I would change if I am designing my own, specially on the shoulder strap. I think that the attachment strap overlapping should be riveted to the same attachment spot to the case. With the strap attachment in the present form there is an extra exposed rivet joint, and this joint is bending in reverse direction, not in-line to the lay of the shoulder strap when the case is hung on one's shoulder.

Overall, I like the look and feel of the case. The uncoated surface of this Buffalo model would be more durable and scuff resistant. Scuff marks would not be apparent, and a bit of leather lotion would just about make any marking disappear. For me, this is what leather case should look like.

This case is made for use and not for display. I'll bet that this model will preserve its look and function better and longer than any other leather case, no matter how much more expersive, or fancier they are.

My 2 cents!

Tat

[instroke]

The dark brown van just brought the new Instroke case from Seybert. The leather looks like it is well oiled, or treated. My first impression is the leather is so thin. I guess I got use to the heavy saddle harness type in my competition shooting gear. The German chrome tan leather for my shooting harness, shoes, jacket, and sling are still pliable after 30 years. May be this case would last longer! I guess I have to change my mind set and get use to this 'world economy'. It'll take a little while.

Thank you for a very good review. I'll just briefly address a few points. The leather is skivved (made thinner) to reduce the weight of the case. It is still strong and durable. The leather is glued to laminated cardboard and that is molded around the tubes for a stable form.

I don't think that I need to add any treatment to the leather for a very long time. The straps are very pliable, and the lid fits firmly without danger of it popping open even if I forget to buckle up. :?


Don't have much to add to the comment on quality other than the heft. It is advertised as light weight tubes, but it is a very substansial case.

This is why Instroke does not make a 4x8 tube case. I have made 4x8s and 4x9s and they are almost unbearably heavy. The tubes used are lighter in weight than all of the competition but the overall package is still heavy.

There are couple of Rivet placements that I would change if I am designing my own, specially on the shoulder strap. I think that the attachment strap overlapping should be riveted to the same attachment spot to the case. With the strap attachment in the present form there is an extra exposed rivet joint, and this joint is bending in reverse direction, not in-line to the lay of the shoulder strap when the case is hung on one's shoulder.

I did this on purpose. In my opinion the case carries better when it's a bit off the back. I used to have it go the way you describe and it didn't carry as well. The other reason is that the strap lays down better in the closed position the way that it is done now. I have been toying with changing to a d-ring type of strap system but it's not really my call anymore. Just so you know, (and as soon as I say this you'll be the first) , when the rivets are done properly there is almost no chance of them coming out at that point.

Overall, I like the look and feel of the case. The uncoated surface of this Buffalo model would be more durable and scuff resistant. Scuff marks would not be apparent, and a bit of leather lotion would just about make any marking disappear. For me, this is what leather case should look like.

This case is made for use and not for display. I'll bet that this model will preserve its look and function better and longer than any other leather case, no matter how much more expersive, or fancier they are.

My 2 cents!

Tat


Once again thank you for a great review. I hope you get many, many years of trouble free service from your case.

John Barton[/b]

[Tat]

John,

I want to tell you that your personal supervision on the Instroke case production had a definite positive impact on the quality of Instroke case, and it is very apparant in comparison to the new production.

I hope that the new ownership would not duplicate the deterioration of case quailty like your old German partner, now that you are no longer directly involve with production in the new company.

Tat