Are ribbon style reed cases "better" than mandrel style cases? I have a mandrel style case from my beginning years and I sometimes worry about the condition of my reeds if my case is moved around. With the reeds on the mandrels, they can "flop" around, but with the ribbon style case, the reeds will stay in place. I need a new case to hold more reeds, so which kind should I get? Does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks.

I have a type of case which has slats made of cushy material and the reed fits into the slats and stays put, but the material is soft enough to not have to worry about a reed being mis-shaped. I don`t have any experience with mandrel/ribbon cases.

It looks something like this:
http://i22.ebayimg.com/04/i/04/60/22/34_1_b.JPG

The only thing that counts in quolity of reed case is the material it`s made. It has to be wooden ,not metal or plastic.
The reason is very simple. reeds must get dry by itself in reed case after playing.In all other reed case such as metal, plastic,etc.., reed will hold water ore moister and probably die soon

Does that apply to leather as well?

personally i prefer ribbon style cases