iPhone 12 series leather case that wow-ed you

[the-seeker]

I received the Pad & Quill Traveler LeatherSafe case. I can take and post some photos but they have a lot on their web site. All in all I really like the case. I have to say its my favorite case after trying out several. Im not a big fan of plastic cases, really prefer leather. I have several different cases and I only want this one after a week or so of having it. Yesterday I switched to a different case and about an hour later I switched back.

Short review:

Negatives: Not necessarily for me but having been on this forum for a long time I know the main areas of complaints and this case has some.
- small opening for mute switch, you'll need a longer nail.
- small opening for the lightning port. You'll have to use Apple's cable or something similar because the opening is exactly the size of the cable.
- no power button just a hole in the case. it does make pressing the power button a little difficult. But its more of getting used to it and how to place your finger. After a day or so it isn't a problem.
- on the large side
- no openings or buttons for the volume. It is super easy to press in the buttons but you have to look or might accidentally hit up when you want down.

Positives:
- imho it looks great
- good magsafe magnet
- all leather with no plastic
- feels and smells great
- nice generous lip protects the screen
- hole openings line up perfectly
- super easy to instal and/or remove phone. this is a major positive for me. I switch cases a lot or have in the past. And I also like to remove my case every once in a while to clean my phone.

That's all I can think of for now. Super happy I bought this one.

Photos are always welcome.

 

[DLyman]

Managed to get a Blackbrook (burkley) case for my 12PM, also have an apple leather case on it's way. Definitely returning one of them, most likely the apple leather. The only thing I'm worried about is how good/bad the buttons will be on the Blackbrook case since it's just bumps, not separate buttons.

I had one of the Blackbrook cases delivered today. I won’t see it until I get home from work late tonight/early morning. The buttons are my main concern, as well. I’ll post to this thread after I get to see how the case fits and feels.

 

[the-seeker]

I had one of the Blackbrook cases delivered today. I won’t see it until I get home from work late tonight/early morning. The buttons are my main concern, as well. I’ll post to this thread after I get to see how the case fits and feels.

My 2nd Barlow case for 12 Pro is on the way. Some colors cover the sides completely, some don't. This is because they added new colors and changed the design recently. My first case was burnished red, which is terrific. Now, going with burnished tan.. What case did you guys order?

 

[darrinS]

I had one of the Blackbrook cases delivered today. I won’t see it until I get home from work late tonight/early morning. The buttons are my main concern, as well. I’ll post to this thread after I get to see how the case fits and feels.

if the cases you guys got or bought have the open areas like some of the past Burkley cases I have purchased, (they have so many different cases) I found them perfect. I really like the open cases.

edit: I just looked at their site and see the fully closed case with a button mark in the leather. My guess is after a few days and the leather breaking in, they will be perfect. I really like the look of that case. If it was a MagSafe case I would buy one.

Supposedly they will soon be releasing some MagSafe cases and wallets. I emailed them about making their wallets MagSafe compatible so I could use any MagSafe case or even a naked 12 series phone and they said it was coming soon.

 

[DLyman]

My 2nd Barlow case for 12 Pro is on the way. Some colors cover the sides completely, some don't. This is because they added new colors and changed the design recently. My first case was burnished red, which is terrific. Now, going with burnished tan.. What case did you guys order?

I noticed that, too. I wanted their new design (already have the pebble black and the coffee in the old design), so I went with the dark chocolate. I’m hoping it looks as good in person as it does on their site.

 

[DLyman]

if the cases you guys got or bought have the open areas like some of the past Burkley cases I have purchased, (they have so many different cases) I found them perfect. I really like the open cases.

edit: I just looked at their site and see the fully closed case with a button mark in the leather. My guess is after a few days and the leather breaking in, they will be perfect. I really like the look of that case. If it was a MagSafe case I would buy one.

Supposedly they will soon be releasing some MagSafe cases and wallets. I emailed them about making their wallets MagSafe compatible so I could use any MagSafe case or even a naked 12 series phone and they said it was coming soon.

I have two of their cases with the old design and they are nice cases. I purposely ordered a color I liked that was made with their newest design. Hopefully they are going to be just as good fit and finish wise.

 

[the-seeker]

I have two of their cases with the old design and they are nice cases. I purposely ordered a color I liked that was made with their newest design. Hopefully they are going to be just as good fit and finish wise.

Oh no. I thought they would have changed to the new design for all colors 😢 I wanted the burnished tan in the new design.

 

[DLyman]

Oh no. I thought they would have changed to the new design for all colors 😢 I wanted the burnished tan in the new design.

Some were and some weren't. I'm not sure you'll want to get their new design, though. I'm going to make a new thread and you see what you think of it.

 

[the-seeker]

Some were and some weren't. I'm not sure you'll want to get their new design, though. I'm going to make a new thread and you see what you think of it.

Ok. Saw your thread. Now, I hope I get the older design. Their older design with the leather quality is one of the best cases for the 12 series. The new case looks like a DIY project 😐

 

[DLyman]

Ok. Saw your thread. Now, I hope I get the older design. Their older design with the leather quality is one of the best cases for the 12 series. The new case looks like a DIY project 😐

I agree. I have one of their older ones and the difference between the two is like night and day. You hit the nail on the head with the DIY comment. As I said in the other thread, that has to be one of the ugliest cases I’ve ever seen. I can’t believe that they actually feel right selling that thing. It’s an embarrassment to their company.

 

[kingston73]

I agree, you could probably make your own leather case and have it look better than the Blackbrook. The fact that they didn't use any lining at all inside, just a hard plastic shell...that alone was enough for me to return it. Factor in the ugly edges and it's just not good, not at all.

 

[Robbosan]

Anyone got a pielframa case this year?

 

[DLyman]

I agree, you could probably make your own leather case and have it look better than the Blackbrook. The fact that they didn't use any lining at all inside, just a hard plastic shell...that alone was enough for me to return it. Factor in the ugly edges and it's just not good, not at all.

I thought it looked good because it came out of their bag back first. Then I turned it over and got a look at the front and sides I couldn’t believe it. I hope our posts save at least one person the hassle of buying and then returning these cases.

 

[Robbosan]

Anyone tried this journey case?

IPHONE 12 LEATHER CASE

Super Slim Profile with rounded edges Wrapped in Premium Full- Grain Hydrophobic Leather Smooth Finish that develops a slight patina over time Polycarbonate Core to provide everyday protection Metal buttons for a truly tactile experience Open Bottom Design allowing max functionality Anti-Slip...

journeyofficial.com

 

[Knowlege Bomb]

My Parkfield Supplies leather case with MagSafe compatibility came in. It feel pretty close to Apple's case with a few slight differences. There's a bit of added thickness but I really only noticed when comparing the two stacked together. Also, there's drilled holes on the bottom versus the two open areas for the speaker/mic on the AL. My biggest issue is with the magnet strength. It's strong enough to hold to my magnetic dock here in the office but not enough to hold the wallet securely and I can't imagine it would work with a car mount either.

Outside of that, slap an Apple logo on it and it would be easily confused with the Baltic Blue AL case. It matches the color of my blue wallet perfectly. I tried initiating a return due to the magnet strength issue but they basically said keep it and pick something else of equal value so they should be sending me a magnetic charger that looks exactly like Apple's.

 

[kingston73]

Overall, what would anybody say is the best leather case currently for the 12?

 

[Motionblurrr]

I think Nomad leather cases are very underrated IMO. The protection aspect of them and the fact that the sides arent leather so you won't get that grimy scuffed, ripped, etc effect on the leather is pretty great. Then the leather on the back is just amazing and soft. It nicks and scratches easily but it actually feels, looks and smells like real leather.

 

[Knowlege Bomb]

I think Nomad leather cases are very underrated IMO. The protection aspect of them and the fact that the sides arent leather so you won't get that grimy scuffed, ripped, etc effect on the leather is pretty great. Then the leather on the back is just amazing and soft. It nicks and scratches easily but it actually feels, looks and smells like real leather.

I would've kept the Nomad case had there been a finger pad for the bottom of the phone that came in the box.

 

[Motionblurrr]

I would've kept the Nomad case had there been a finger pad for the bottom of the phone that came in the box.

True, I wonder if a more comfortable hold for the pinky could be achieved with some veryyyy light sanding of the port holes to smooth it out a bit more. Not too different than people taking sandpaper to brand new Apple leather cases 😂

 

[Knowlege Bomb]

True, I wonder if a more comfortable hold for the pinky could be achieved with some veryyyy light sanding of the port holes to smooth it out a bit more. Not too different than people taking sandpaper to brand new Apple leather cases 😂

I had the exact same thought but decided to send it back for the refund since I had another leather case. Let us know how it goes if you decide to try it.

 

[kingston73]

Decided to live dangerously and I just ordered a Saddleback case. Expensive but also unique, we will see if it's any good. The buttons look pretty bad in pictures but maybe they know something I don't???

Boot Leather iPhone 12 Case

The ONLY solid leather iPhone case we know of for iPhone 12 and 11 Pro and Max. You'll quickly understand why many consider this a piece of functional art.

saddlebackleather.com

 

[nrvous1]

Decided to live dangerously and I just ordered a Saddleback case. Expensive but also unique, we will see if it's any good. The buttons look pretty bad in pictures but maybe they know something I don't???

Boot Leather iPhone 12 Case

The ONLY solid leather iPhone case we know of for iPhone 12 and 11 Pro and Max. You'll quickly understand why many consider this a piece of functional art.

saddlebackleather.com

I can’t wait to see pics of the one you ordered. I almost ordered one for my mini a couple of months ago, but I think they were still on back order.

The buttons, from what I’ve read, are terrible at first, but with time they soften up and are very responsive. Similar to using the phone without a case. It’s an awesome looking case and I may still order one depending on how well you like yours.

 

[Van Nemo]

I can’t wait to see pics of the one you ordered. I almost ordered one for my mini a couple of months ago, but I think they were still on back order.

The buttons, from what I’ve read, are terrible at first, but with time they soften up and are very responsive. Similar to using the phone without a case. It’s an awesome looking case and I may still order one depending on how well you like yours.

I received mine in March! This case worth the money!

Leather is great and solid. It saved my phone against few drops.
It’s really not the smallest or finest but it’s an amazingly great choice for leather and for protection. I tried to switched to other cases I have and I always switching back the same day.
the patina gives it a unique style.
(photo from my first day near with iPhone XS and its apple original leather case. I’ll make a more detailed post about Saddleback case and how I decided to improve it and it worked perfectly)

 

[kingston73]

Got it today, shipping was pretty quick. The leather is definitely heavy duty. It’s thick enough that the camera lenses are protected. Buttons are stiff but i haven’t tried anything to break them in yet. It wraps pretty far around the edges which is good and bad. Good because it’ll stay on and definitely protect face first drops. Bad because it does slightly interfere with edge gestures. I’m definitely keeping it, overall I like it much more than the apple leather and the bullstrap. I’ll be interested to see off the fit loosens as it gets older but it’s definitely tight right now.

Fyi it’s slightly darker than what the pictures show.

 

[Van Nemo]

Got it today, shipping was pretty quick. The leather is definitely heavy duty. It’s thick enough that the camera lenses are protected. Buttons are stiff but i haven’t tried anything to break them in yet. It wraps pretty far around the edges which is good and bad. Good because it’ll stay on and definitely protect face first drops. Bad because it does slightly interfere with edge gestures. I’m definitely keeping it, overall I like it much more than the apple leather and the bullstrap. I’ll be interested to see off the fit loosens as it gets older but it’s definitely tight right now.

Fyi it’s slightly darker than what the pictures show.

View attachment 1776306View attachment 1776307

You can cut the sides with scalpel so they fit properly the screen and it will still protect the phone. The edges stay tough enough rested and approved.
for the buttons I just kept using as it is.