Blackbrook Barlow New Design Case

[DLyman]

I just got this in today. I'm going to post pictures of it here and see what you fine people think of it after looking at these.

Back looks good, I got the Dark Chocolate color. They did include a Covid mask with their logo, so that's a plus.

The inside of the case. No cushioned fabric. All black plastic. Buttons are good. They work easily and don't have a mushy feel to them.

Here you can see the plastic and leather layers

Buttons and cutouts

And last, I don't know what this is. Maybe some type of glue or paint? It's like this all the way around the case.

Like I said, I'd like to hear what other's comments are on this case. I know what I think about it, but am curious if my thoughts are similar.

 

[Knowlege Bomb]

In all honestly it looks very sloppy to me. The holes at the bottom look like they probably muffle the speaker and I'd be concerned about mic performance with the holes looking like they're not fully drilled. The two separate layers showing in the camera cutout while the phone is in it is horrible IMO. The leather around the buttons is lumpy and uneven. Not sure how I feel about the bare plastic on the inside. I've always ended up with Apple cases when I choose to use one and they've always got the microfiber lining.

I like the color though!

 

[DLyman]

In all honestly it looks very sloppy to me. The holes at the bottom look like they probably muffle the speaker and I'd be concerned about mic performance with the holes looking like they're not fully drilled. The two separate layers showing in the camera cutout while the phone is in it is horrible IMO. The leather around the buttons is lumpy and uneven. Not sure how I feel about the bare plastic on the inside. I've always ended up with Apple cases when I choose to use one and they've always got the microfiber lining.

I like the color though!

I like the color, too. Other than that, your thoughts are exactly the same as mine. It seems like it’s just thrown together with no attention to detail at all. In all honesty, this is probably one of the ugliest cases I’ve seen. I’m going to be returning it. Even with the 35% discount, I don’t think it’s worth it. Put an Apple black case or a Bullstrap next to it and the quality is worlds apart.

 

[kingston73]

That's disappointing, I have the same case on the way to me, and I got it for the 35% discount price. I was going to post my own thread but since this is here I'll take a picture and post back here instead.

Have you tried the apple leather case? I'd like to see how the 2 compare. I have one that I was going to send back but I'm going to wait and compare the 2 before making any decisions

 

[DLyman]

That's disappointing, I have the same case on the way to me, and I got it for the 35% discount price. I was going to post my own thread but since this is here I'll take a picture and post back here instead.

Have you tried the apple leather case? I'd like to see how the 2 compare. I have one that I was going to send back but I'm going to wait and compare the 2 before making any decisions

I have the Apple leather case. It's not as snug of a fit as the Blackbrook case. I only use a black one after seeing all of the bad pictures of what their other colors look like and the ridiculous outcome after some have used sandpaper on them.

 

[DLyman]

In all honestly it looks very sloppy to me. The holes at the bottom look like they probably muffle the speaker and I'd be concerned about mic performance with the holes looking like they're not fully drilled. The two separate layers showing in the camera cutout while the phone is in it is horrible IMO. The leather around the buttons is lumpy and uneven. Not sure how I feel about the bare plastic on the inside. I've always ended up with Apple cases when I choose to use one and they've always got the microfiber lining.

I like the color though!

This one is on my 12 Pro. I just got the replacement case for my Bullstrap case that practically falls off the phone on the bottom corners. The replacement case is just like the first one. Junk. I'm returning the Blackbrook and both Bullstraps and I just ordered an Apple case in black leather for the 12 Pro. Heck, now my 12 Pro and 12 Pro Max will have matching cases. I'm done with the disappointing aftermarket cases. Only Apple black leather cases for these two phones from now on. People can say the Apple leather cases are crap, but put one up against this Blackbrook case and I'd pick the Apple leather case every time.

 

[kingston73]

i get mine today. i sent the apple leather back, it was way too loose for me.

 

[Knowlege Bomb]

This one is on my 12 Pro. I just got the replacement case for my Bullstrap case that practically falls off the phone on the bottom corners. The replacement case is just like the first one. Junk. I'm returning the Blackbrook and both Bullstraps and I just ordered an Apple case in black leather for the 12 Pro. Heck, now my 12 Pro and 12 Pro Max will have matching cases. I'm done with the disappointing aftermarket cases. Only Apple black leather cases for these two phones from now on. People can say the Apple leather cases are crap, but put one up against this Blackbrook case and I'd pick the Apple leather case every time.

That's a real shame about the Bullstraps. I bought one for my Mini when I was using that and while I preferred the black Apple leather, the Bullstrap was very nice and fit almost perfectly.

 

[DLyman]

i get mine today. i sent the apple leather back, it was way too loose for me.

Was yours as messed up as mine? The cutouts and whatever that is painted on the case’s front edges and around the camera cutout? Wondering if I just got a dud or if they are all like that.

 

[DLyman]

That's a real shame about the Bullstraps. I bought one for my Mini when I was using that and while I preferred the black Apple leather, the Bullstrap was very nice and fit almost perfectly.

I don’t know why the Bullstrap cases for the 12 Pro I have are this bad. The ones I have for my Pro Max are perfect. Oh, well. There are much more important things in life for me to get worked up over instead of a phone case.

 

[RRC]

Looks like a cheap thrown together hybrid version of the nomad and the bullstrap cases.

Either way, looks nasty IMO.

 

[kingston73]

Was yours as messed up as mine? The cutouts and whatever that is painted on the case’s front edges and around the camera cutout? Wondering if I just got a dud or if they are all like that.

Got it, opened it, sending it back. Just like yours, I didn’t even bother with pictures because it looked just like yours. Plus, it fit very poorly. Not even close to as tight as the older apple leather cases, the volume side bows out. Just an overall disappointment.

lesson, don’t buy blackbrook

 

[DLyman]

Got it, opened it, sending it back. Just like yours, I didn’t even bother with pictures because it looked just like yours. Plus, it fit very poorly. Not even close to as tight as the older apple leather cases, the volume side bows out. Just an overall disappointment.

lesson, don’t buy blackbrook

Wow, so mine wasn’t just a fluke. I can’t believe they are selling these. I can’t imagine anyone getting one of them and actually liking it. I’m willing to bet they are going to be getting a lot of returns

 

[TheIntruder]

Wow, what a "future rustic" case.

Sometimes, leather goods can be a little too sterile, and well-finished if one desires a sense of hand-crafting. Apple's cases are like that, which most people like, but don't have any soul.

Sometimes, they're a bit too arts-and-crafty rustic, and have compromises in not being precisely form fitting (like P&Q's Traveler).

This one combines the worst of both.

They took a generic plastic shell, then covered it in a poorly cut and finsihed piece of leather.

The worst part is that edge finishing. Most wrap the leather around the front facing edge of the inner shell, and hide the seam on the inside. This case just slices it off flush with the facing perimeter, then (poorly) applies a rubber edge finish.

You can see it in all the cutouts, where the finish is applied to conceal the fibers of the hide, oddly, except for the camera bump cutout. Upon a closer look, it may appear to have some finish applied, except that it's not glopped on like the rest.

 

[DLyman]

Wow, what a "future rustic" case.

Sometimes, leather goods can be a little too sterile, and well-finished if one desires a sense of hand-crafting. Apple's cases are like that, which most people like, but don't have any soul.

Sometimes, they're a bit too arts-and-crafty rustic, and have compromises in not being precisely form fitting (like P&Q's Traveler).

This one combines the worst of both.

They took a generic plastic shell, then covered it in a poorly cut and finsihed piece of leather.

The worst part is that edge finishing. Most wrap the leather around the front facing edge of the inner shell, and hide the seam on the inside. This case just slices it off flush with the facing perimeter, then (poorly) applies a rubber edge finish.

You can see it in all the cutouts, where the finish is applied to conceal the fibers of the hide, oddly, except for the camera bump cutout. Upon a closer look, it may appear to have some finish applied, except that it's not glopped on like the rest.

I think the line “This one combines the worst of both” pretty much sums this case up.

 

[jr866gooner]

I must say the back and the colour looked promising. It seemed like a nice gradient colour which I felt would also age nicely. Logo placement looked good.

Now the parts I think we all agree on... the cutouts at the bottom, the camera location and even the speaker holes just look plain poor. The seams shall we say look nasty too- the actual leather on the rear screams some form of quality, the rest sadly does not. I would be incredibly disappointed to receive that.

Out of interest what does the website look like in terms of images of the case? Would be interesting to see if the pics look flawless compared to what you have paid for and received!

 

[kingston73]

Their site is confusing because they still show pictures of the old style in some places. But no, none of the pictures show any of the issues. The one and only good thing is that they seem to make the return process easy. You do have to wait for them to "review" your return request and they will send you an RMA. I'll follow up later and let you all know how quickly my refund is processed. This is by far the worst of the leather cases I've seen. This might end up being a "no leather" year for me.

 

[TheIntruder]

Their site is confusing because they still show pictures of the old style in some places. But no, none of the pictures show any of the issues. The one and only good thing is that they seem to make the return process easy. You do have to wait for them to "review" your return request and they will send you an RMA. I'll follow up later and let you all know how quickly my refund is processed. This is by far the worst of the leather cases I've seen. This might end up being a "no leather" year for me.

Product photos don't always give accurate portrayals, or be current, but that's not the case here (no pun intended).

Take a look at the details of the OP's Dark Chocolate color as pictured:

Rough mute switch cutout, slightly contrasting edge finishing

Roughly cut speaker holes, roughly defined buttons

Rough Lightning port cutout, speaker holes, the folds in the corners more prevalent in the other colors that picture the older style shell

These are clearly hand-made cases, and subject to manual imperfections, which some may consider major flows, others only foibles.

But either way, credit them for pictures that do reveal the true nature of the product, whether one cares for them or not.

Given what they're aiming for, a protective Apple-style case (versus something like a Vaja style, or the like) , I'm in the former camp and think there are better options if looking for that style. There is little doubt the quality of leather is better than Apple's (especially the 2020 line's), but some compromises come with that, and those expecting the precision and finish of a mass-produced case like Apple's are bound to be disappointed.

 

[DLyman]

I must say the back and the colour looked promising. It seemed like a nice gradient colour which I felt would also age nicely. Logo placement looked good.

Now the parts I think we all agree on... the cutouts at the bottom, the camera location and even the speaker holes just look plain poor. The seams shall we say look nasty too- the actual leather on the rear screams some form of quality, the rest sadly does not. I would be incredibly disappointed to receive that.

Out of interest what does the website look like in terms of images of the case? Would be interesting to see if the pics look flawless compared to what you have paid for and received!

Here’s a few pictures of the exact colored one that I received and took pictures of. These are how they look on their website.

 

[the-seeker]

I received mine, in burnished tan. It is the old design. The leather is supple and great. Thinking of keeping it.

 

[DLyman]

I received mine, in burnished tan. It is the old design. The leather is supple and great. Thinking of keeping it.

That is good news. You got a good one.

 

[the-seeker]

That is good news. You got a good one.

Yep. Looks good. It is a keeper.

 

[DLyman]

Just got an email from Blackbrook saying everything on their site is 50% off with coupon code. Not tempted at all. Even at half price, this case isn’t worth it.

 

[the-seeker]

Just got an email from Blackbrook saying everything on their site is 50% off with coupon code. Not tempted at all. Even at half price, this case isn’t worth it.

I'm not sure what color you had your original (old design) iPhone 12 pro case. If you can still get that, it is one of the best covers you can get. I originally had the burnished red, and now have the burnished tan. It is really awesome.

 

[DLyman]

I'm not sure what color you had your original (old design) iPhone 12 pro case. If you can still get that, it is one of the best covers you can get. I originally had the burnished red, and now have the burnished tan. It is really awesome.

The older design I have is the antique coffee colored one. That is a good case. The only thing I don’t like about it is how their corners are, but I got used to it.