Leather Cases - Patina Proud Photos

[KrzyGreek]

I think the fact Andar is using full grain leather yet we’re still seeing more uniform textures than Bullstrap’s top grain is probably a good indication Andar is more discerning in their leather selections.
That’s surprising given the $29 price difference.
I’ll stick with my Andar

I’m trying to decide between Nomad/Bullstrap/Andar for my 13 Pro Max - when I look at pictures and coloring and all that online, I keep veering towards picking up a Bullstrap.

But why is it that Bullstrap, which uses top grain leather, is so much more expensive than Andar and all of these other brands using full grain leather? Wondering if there’s something else about Bullstrap to justify the price, or if they’re just overpriced because they can get away with it (maybe due to brand recognition or something like that)? Anyone have any thoughts?

 

[Squanchy]

I’m trying to decide between Nomad/Bullstrap/Andar for my 13 Pro Max - when I look at pictures and coloring and all that online, I keep veering towards picking up a Bullstrap.

But why is it that Bullstrap, which uses top grain leather, is so much more expensive than Andar and all of these other brands using full grain leather? Wondering if there’s something else about Bullstrap to justify the price, or if they’re just overpriced because they can get away with it (maybe due to brand recognition or something like that)? Anyone have any thoughts?

I think it has a lot to do with brand recognition/supply and demand. Prices went from $50 to $70 in a matter of a few months with no notable difference in quality, because they know people will pay. They make a good quality leather product compared to apple, but now more people are discovering Andar, which provides the same (or better) quality leather, at a more reasonable price for a phone case.

 

[jtuck82]

I’m trying to decide between Nomad/Bullstrap/Andar for my 13 Pro Max - when I look at pictures and coloring and all that online, I keep veering towards picking up a Bullstrap.

But why is it that Bullstrap, which uses top grain leather, is so much more expensive than Andar and all of these other brands using full grain leather? Wondering if there’s something else about Bullstrap to justify the price, or if they’re just overpriced because they can get away with it (maybe due to brand recognition or something like that)? Anyone have any thoughts?

I think their lifetime warranty plays a part in their prices.

 

[Kimquat]

Bullstrap lifetime warranty is amazing. I had them sent me 3 replacement cases for free already due to whatever reason. They never asked me to send back my original. So I believe this is baked into their prices. No matter what happens to your case, even a little ding, they will send you a new one.

 

[Jacob_116]

Thinking of picking up a nomad rustic brown for my 13PM. Is it worth it? Current using the jet black andar and loving it. Just wanted a case that pantina too.

Absolutely. My favorite case by far imo

 

[Squanchy]

Bullstrap lifetime warranty is amazing. I had them sent me 3 replacement cases for free already due to whatever reason. They never asked me to send back my original. So I believe this is baked into their prices. No matter what happens to your case, even a little ding, they will send you a new one.

Very good point as to why they choose that price point! Forgot about that, do they cover loss or theft as well? I feel like that’s why I’d ever need a replacement, I like my leather to build character through dings and scratches so I don’t see myself requesting a replacement for that

 

[bc 08]

I’m trying to decide between Nomad/Bullstrap/Andar for my 13 Pro Max - when I look at pictures and coloring and all that online, I keep veering towards picking up a Bullstrap.

I think Bullstrap’s Sienna and Bourbon colors are both really nice looking colors out of the box so I definitely get it.

In the end though they’ll all darken so much that those virgin colors will be all but lost and it’ll be the leather quality that determines who looks “better” a year or more down the road.

If I didn’t discover the Andar thanks to this forum I would definitely have a Bullstrap right now.

I think both Andar and Bullstrap are higher
end, more minimalist cases than the Nomad which kind of blurs the line between a luxury and a rugged case.

 

[glagahs]

Trust the process??

 

[maximus96]

Trust the process??

yea that's what we're trying to avoid with andar/bullstrap/nomad

 

[juhaszroli]

Just ordered Bullstrap Sienna for 13 PM, black friday thank you! Can’t wait!

 

[n1ghtrain]

How do you guys clean Apple's leather case?

 

[bc 08]

Honest answer? By buying a non-Apple case…

 

[n1ghtrain]

I know exactly what you mean. If theres a good way though, I would really like to know.

 

[BigMcGuire]

How do you guys clean Apple's leather case?

What do you mean by clean? I've been using cases on my iPhones since the 6+. I don't usually "clean them" as I make sure to have fairly clean hands when I touch my phones. (I've seen people eat chicken, touch their phones, smother them in grease, then wipe the phones on their pants) - it's disgusting (not saying you do this, just commenting on what I've seen).

If my case needs cleaning because something was splashed on it I'll dab some water on a t-shirt and lightly rub the case. I rarely disinfect my leather case because the leather doesn't react well to harsh cleaning chemicals (soap/disinfectant/etc). I never let anyone else touch my phone so I figure like my glasses, it's something I use regularly and rarely "disinfect" unless I absolutely have to. And I've used leather cases for years and years ... and years. lol.

I see all these posts about leather soap or saddle soap or whatever - never ever used that stuff, I probably should but I imagine that more involves conditioning the leather vs cleaning it. <shrug>.

 

[maximus96]

I know exactly what you mean. If theres a good way though, I would really like to know.

Apple's leather is coated so you can wipe it clean with a baby wipe. Don't use disinfecting wipes or alcohol wipes unless you want to artificially advance the process.

 

[bc 08]

Saddle soap definitely works to clean up an open pore leather. It’s a soap with lye in it so it’s more of a cleaner than a conditioner. People usually follow saddle soap up with a leather conditioner to avoid drying the leather out.

Apple’s leather being a “pigment coated” (aka spray painted) leather isn’t open pore though. Just treat it like you would a synthetic leather or vinyl at least until the paint coating wears through.

 

[Motionblurrr]

dont clean it, let it get gross

 

[sonstar]

spit

 

[maximus96]

In case anyone is interested, the Andar Mag wallet is RFID shielded just like apple's. My car's key card didn't work until I removed it from the wallet.

 

[n1ghtrain]

Apple's leather is coated so you can wipe it clean with a baby wipe. Don't use disinfecting wipes or alcohol wipes unless you want to artificially advance the process.

I never use alcohol. I used to gently wipe it with warm water and mild hand soap.

Never saw any distortion or something like that. Just curious for other methods.

 

[GLS]

Or, alternatively, just buy some leather cleaner. For instance, here's the Lexol cleaner and conditioner kit from Amazon. Use the cleaner first, let it dry, then conditioner. Lexol is a great brand; I've used it on car seats for years. I've also used it on phone cases, too.

Lexol All Leather Cleaner and Conditioner Kit for Car Seats and Interiors, Couches and Furniture, Shoes and Boots, Baseball Gloves and Horse Saddles, Two 16.9 oz Bottles and Two Sponges

The elements are not kind to your leather investments. Fortunately, you can protect them with the Lexol All Leather Cleaner and Conditioner Kit. This leather care kit includes Lexol All Leather Cleaner, Lexol All Leather Conditioner, and two application sponges. With one application sponge, massa...

www.amazon.com

 

[deep1]

Tried Golden brown like every year ( saddle brown) but didn’t like colour this year on Sierra blue so went with Midnight and love the combo!

 

[tuanlouis]

My iPhone X saddle brown case aged naturally and beautifully.

I want to continue the golden brown this year but not quite sure. Anyone with an aging golden brown case photo?

 

[GLS]

FYI, and maybe it's mentioned upstream. Saddleback Leather now has iPhone 13 Pro and Max cases. One color only, but these are definitely leather, and guaranteed to patina. Not quite my style, but maybe someone would like them. Even has a video clip on how they are made, etc.

Saddleback makes great products; I have two of their bags.

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

 

[bc 08]

My iPhone X saddle brown case aged naturally and beautifully.

I want to continue the golden brown this year but not quite sure. Anyone with an aging golden brown case photo?

Iphone 12 & 13 cases are pigmented coated leather so they won't patina at all until you physically wear through the layer of paint they apply to them. Left on their own it usually only happens on the edges.

The old Iphone X Saddle cases weren't pigment coated.

I was hoping for a repeat with the Golden Brown case too but that clearly wasn’t going to happen.

After just digging the old X case out it was a lot flimsier than I remember it, the Andar is way nicer.
It did patina well though, IMO. After about a year of use: