Leather Cases - Patina Proud Photos

[Chateaunole-du-Pape]

I preordered mine. Closed bottom 😍 went with the Terra color

It looks so nice! Great color. I'd probably order one myself, but since my phone plan allows for annual upgrades, I'm a bit reluctant to shell out that much for a case that may be rendered redundant in just a year.

I received two (same case, two different colors) yesterday from Le Pelle, a brand on Amazon. Really nice leather, though the blue I received is more gray than blue. And I really wish the ring around the cameras were a bit taller to better protect the lenses. It's higher than the lenses, but only just. But I may keep it, we shall see.

I have one coming from Decoded, as I know they've had many very positive reviews. I wish it didn't have branding around the lens protector, but it feels like it's hard to avoid that with most of those that are trying to position themselves as premium producers. I guess they want to get their brands out there.

I wish the guy who made my briefcase made phone cases. I'd buy one in a second.

 

[Brooke795]

Damn that Terra bull strap is insane

Isn’t it tho.. I ordered it. Should ship around first week of November!

 

[Brooke795]

It looks so nice! Great color. I'd probably order one myself, but since my phone plan allows for annual upgrades, I'm a bit reluctant to shell out that much for a case that may be rendered redundant in just a year.

I received two (same case, two different colors) yesterday from Le Pelle, a brand on Amazon. Really nice leather, though the blue I received is more gray than blue. And I really wish the ring around the cameras were a bit taller to better protect the lenses. It's higher than the lenses, but only just. But I may keep it, we shall see.

I have one coming from Decoded, as I know they've had many very positive reviews. I wish it didn't have branding around the lens protector, but it feels like it's hard to avoid that with most of those that are trying to position themselves as premium producers. I guess they want to get their brands out there.

I wish the guy who made my briefcase made phone cases. I'd buy one in a second.

I feel ya. I’ll see if I can dig up any coupon codes for you! That’s a nice briefcase!! I’d imagine you’d get the sienna color to match ☺️

 

[Scepticalscribe]

I wish the guy who made my briefcase made phone cases. I'd buy one in a second.

That is an absolutely gorgeous briefcase; who made it?

Actually, it looks a little like a Swaine Adeney briefcase.

 

[mikext]

I preordered mine. Closed bottom 😍 went with the Terra color

I'm glad someone in here finally ordered a closed-bottom for the 16 series. Interested in how it's different from the old batch they put on clearance a few months ago.

 

[Chateaunole-du-Pape]

That is an absolutely gorgeous briefcase; who made it?

Actually, it looks a little like a Swaine Adeney briefcase.

Thank you very much. It's certainly similar to the Swaine Adeney Paternoster, though it was actually a custom creation by Hrothgar Stibbon, a craftsman in Bristol, England. I had a great time going back and forth with him, specifying exactly where I wanted pockets, hooks, pouches, newspaper/trolley slip, etc. Roth absolutely nailed it. Great guy to work with. I think the quality is every bit as good as what you'd get from Swaine, at a far more reasonable price. It still wasn't cheap, but it'll last me the rest of my career, and every time I pick it up I smile, even if it's because I'm going to work.

Roth also produces some standardized cases and bags for a slightly lower price, but the bespoke items, especially, really shine. If you click through to the bespoke page, you can see samples of the custom work he's done for people.

Stibbon Leather. Bespoke, custom leather briefcases & bags

High quality handmade bespoke leather briefcases and bags made with care and craftsmanship. Combining the best available leathers and fittings with

hrothgarstibbon.co.uk

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Thank you very much. It's certainly similar to the Swaine Adeney Paternoster, though it was actually a custom creation by Hrothgar Stibbon, a craftsman in Bristol, England. I had a great time going back and forth with him, specifying exactly where I wanted pockets, hooks, pouches, newspaper/trolley slip, etc. Roth absolutely nailed it. Great guy to work with. I think the quality is every bit as good as what you'd get from Swaine, at a far more reasonable price. It still wasn't cheap, but it'll last me the rest of my career, and every time I pick it up I smile, even if it's because I'm going to work.

Roth also produces some standardized cases and bags for a slightly lower price, but the bespoke items, especially, really shine. If you click through to the bespoke page, you can see samples of the custom work he's done for people.

Stibbon Leather. Bespoke, custom leather briefcases & bags

High quality handmade bespoke leather briefcases and bags made with care and craftsmanship. Combining the best available leathers and fittings with

hrothgarstibbon.co.uk

Actually, for what it is worth, I have the Swaine Adeney Paternoster, (in black), - I ordered it six years ago - which is why I recognised the style and similarity to yours.

Thanks for your response and fascinating story.

That is an absolutely gorgeous briefcase, - well wear - with a brilliant backstory.

Thanks, also, for the link, I look forward to perusing it; actually, I'm a bit of a briefcase connoisseur.

 

[Brooke795]

I'm glad someone in here finally ordered a closed-bottom for the 16 series. Interested in how it's different from the old batch they put on clearance a few months ago.

Unfortunately I wouldn’t be able to compare as I didn’t have the one before… they only made it for the 15 series which I didn’t have but I’m so picky once I get this one I’ll be able to give a full report! They’re shipping November so the wait is kinda brutal 😂

 

[Chateaunole-du-Pape]

Actually, for what it is worth, I have the Swaine Adeney Paternoster, (in black), - I ordered it six years ago - which is why I recognised the style and similarity to yours.

Thanks for your response and fascinating story.

That is an absolutely gorgeous briefcase, - well wear - with a brilliant backstory.

Thanks, also, for the link, I look forward to perusing it; actually, I'm a bit of a briefcase connoisseur.

Very nice - the Paternoster is a fantastic case. I've never handled one in person but have admired them from a distance many times. It was on my short list when I was in the market for a new case, but then I stumbled across Roth and became really intrigued with being able to design exactly what I wanted.

I have a thing for briefcases as well... Will likely never buy another, but still enjoy perusing photos of both new and classic bags from time to time!

 

[Brooke795]

My Bullstrap Terra is still looking and feeling great…

Wow. Just wow! I’m glad I ordered this color for my 16 pro max 😍😍😍

 

[Brent0n]

Isn’t it tho.. I ordered it. Should ship around first week of November!

That's what they said for my black, ordered yesterday and shipped today!

 

[Brooke795]

That's what they said for my black, ordered yesterday and shipped today!

That’s the open bottom though right? The new closed bottom ones still say preorder…

 

[TeeWrecks]

I had an open bottom bullstrap case for my pro max last year, and would unfortunately feel some pinky discomfort. Can anyone comment if the open bottom case on a regular pro causes the same issue? Thx

 

[Stripedown]

Question for people with the decoded (or mujjo) case: How is the leather? does it smell like leather? how is the finish, does it patina?

 

[Brent0n]

That’s the open bottom though right? The new closed bottom ones still say preorder…

Yeah open bottom. It says the same thing for the black open bottom, but still shipped.

Edit: nvm, doesn't say preorder anymore.

 

[SeanOsman]

It looks so nice! Great color. I'd probably order one myself, but since my phone plan allows for annual upgrades, I'm a bit reluctant to shell out that much for a case that may be rendered redundant in just a year.

I received two (same case, two different colors) yesterday from Le Pelle, a brand on Amazon. Really nice leather, though the blue I received is more gray than blue. And I really wish the ring around the cameras were a bit taller to better protect the lenses. It's higher than the lenses, but only just. But I may keep it, we shall see.

I have one coming from Decoded, as I know they've had many very positive reviews. I wish it didn't have branding around the lens protector, but it feels like it's hard to avoid that with most of those that are trying to position themselves as premium producers. I guess they want to get their brands out there.

I wish the guy who made my briefcase made phone cases. I'd buy one in a second.

Came across the Le Pelle this morning and thinking about pulling the trigger on the emerald green. Can you provide any additional insight? How are the buttons? Is the camera control cutout awkward? Will the case provide a lip with a screen protector? Thanks!

 

[Brooke795]

Yeah open bottom. It says the same thing for the black open bottom, but still shipped.

Edit: nvm, doesn't say preorder anymore.

Gave me false hope 😂 all good. I had their customer service team specifically tell me 11/5 too… looks like it’ll be a long month 😂

 

[mikext]

I had an open bottom bullstrap case for my pro max last year, and would unfortunately feel some pinky discomfort. Can anyone comment if the open bottom case on a regular pro causes the same issue? Thx

It may be a little uncomfortable if your pinky is lying directly on the charger cutout, but, at least for me, it wasn't nearly as uncomfortable as the open-bottom version.

 

[Apple_Robert]

I preordered mine. Closed bottom 😍 went with the Terra color

I just ordered the same with matching wallet, even though I also previously purchased the Sienna open bottom Minimalist.

 

[Brooke795]

I just ordered the same with matching wallet, even though I also previously purchased the Sienna open bottom Minimalist.

Gonna be a long wait for the closed bottom eh? 😂 im not a patient person! lol

 

[Chateaunole-du-Pape]

Came across the Le Pelle this morning and thinking about pulling the trigger on the emerald green. Can you provide any additional insight? How are the buttons? Is the camera control cutout awkward? Will the case provide a lip with a screen protector? Thanks!

It just so happens that I ordered the Emerald Green as well, as I like both blue and green. So I’ll include pictures of both it and the Mist Blue below. As noted before, the Mist Blue definitely has a lot of gray in it, though the blue does come through more in natural light, where I took the photos, than it does indoors. The Emerald Green is kind of a blend between what I think of as emerald and an olive, with some gray undertones. It’s a nice color.

The metal buttons are plenty clicky and easy to actuate. They do protrude a bit more than they need to but it’s by no means a deal-breaker. I do wish that they were color-matched to the case, but they’re black, and that’s ok. The camera control cutout is pretty large, but also comfortable to use. I used the phone with the blue case on it all day yesterday and never once pushed the camera control by accident. The cutout also provides a useful spot to hook your finger around while holding the phone one-handed.

The case does provide a lip even with a screen protector installed. Not a huge one - probably a half-milimeter or so, but enough.

As mentioned before, I do wish that the surround for the lenses were a bit higher. I measured the thickness of the phone to the lenses and then again to the camera surround with my electronic calipers, and it does indeed add some thickness, so the lenses won’t touch the table when laying it down, but the tolerance is very tight.

The leather seems to be of good quality to me. Smells nice and is just tacky enough to help you maintain a good grip. It actually reminds me of the leather on my Apple-made 14 Pro case.

Overall, this is the best option I’ve seen in person thus far. I’ll see how the Decoded one is when it shows up later this week.

 

[Apple_Robert]

Gonna be a long wait for the closed bottom eh? 😂 im not a patient person! lol

Close to 6 weeks (with shipping time) is a long wait but, it will be worth it. I can’t decide if I want to keep or return the open bottom. I had one for my 15 pro and the bottom looked near mint to mint after a year.

 

[SeanOsman]

It just so happens that I ordered the Emerald Green as well, as I like both blue and green. So I’ll include pictures of both it and the Mist Blue below. As noted before, the Mist Blue definitely has a lot of gray in it, though the blue does come through more in natural light, where I took the photos, than it does indoors. The Emerald Green is kind of a blend between what I think of as emerald and an olive, with some gray undertones. It’s a nice color.

The metal buttons are plenty clicky and easy to actuate. They do protrude a bit more than they need to but it’s by no means a deal-breaker. I do wish that they were color-matched to the case, but they’re black, and that’s ok. The camera control cutout is pretty large, but also comfortable to use. I used the phone with the blue case on it all day yesterday and never once pushed the camera control by accident. The cutout also provides a useful spot to hook your finger around while holding the phone one-handed.

The case does provide a lip even with a screen protector installed. Not a huge one - probably a half-milimeter or so, but enough.

As mentioned before, I do wish that the surround for the lenses were a bit higher. I measured the thickness of the phone to the lenses and then again to the camera surround with my electronic calipers, and it does indeed add some thickness, so the lenses won’t touch the table when laying it down, but the tolerance is very tight.

The leather seems to be of good quality to me. Smells nice and is just tacky enough to help you maintain a good grip. It actually reminds me of the leather on my Apple-made 14 Pro case.

Overall, this is the best option I’ve seen in person thus far. I’ll see how the Decoded one is when it shows up later this week.

Thanks so much for such a thorough reply! One thing I forgot to ask about is the strength of the magnets... I use a magsafe wallet, so strong magnets are pretty high on my wish list.

 

[daindian1]

Question for people with the decoded (or mujjo) case: How is the leather? does it smell like leather? how is the finish, does it patina?

When I had the 15pm. I had the decoded, the RL and a couple off AliExpress. The decoded was the worst out the lot. Not much of a leather smell. The RL was the best. Followed by a nappa leather off AliExpress.

 

[Brooke795]

Close to 6 weeks (with shipping time) is a long wait but, it will be worth it. I can’t decide if I want to keep or return the open bottom. I had one for my 15 pro and the bottom looked near mint to mint after a year.

Yeah six weeks! It’ll be great tho! I haven’t had leather in awhile. I love apple silicone cases normally but after trying two colors and ultimately returning them I decided to go back to leather. I decided on black silicone in the meantime. They had no light colors this year! Will be anxiously awaiting spring to see what they come out with. But I remember loving my Bullstrap I had for the 12 pro max. I briefly had apples leather case for the 14 but I swapped it for a pretty silicone color