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What premium leather case are you going for, after that CalypsoCase mayhem?
- Thread starter TheSacredSoul
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I do really like my Vaja. It's a good quality case and I'm happy with it. It appears their color swatches rarely match up with the real thing, and he customer service isn't all that interested in helping if you aren't satisfied.
So if you're at all picky about getting the exact color, I'd definitely avoid Vaja. But if you're more tolerant of color shade, they do make a quality product that looks well made and looks good.
So if you're at all picky about getting the exact color, I'd definitely avoid Vaja. But if you're more tolerant of color shade, they do make a quality product that looks well made and looks good.
For me, the shade of colors is not a big issue as I am sure they look nice regardless of the real world / website difference.
The problem is that ordering a case from them seems like a lottery: unaesthetic leather veins, agenda cases cut short, glue related problems and so on.
Add that the CS does not help and that it ships from argentina and I am now reluctant about this brand.
Anyway, I am curious to know what you think of the sides. Do you like the fact that it does not cover the buttons? Is it comfortable while using the phone in landscape?
Sometimes I think it should be nice to see the gold of the iphone near their bridge orange but I am not fully convinced.
EDIT: Just remembered that they do not accept returns on customized cases. Again, it is a lottery.
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I can't speak to the problems others have had. Mine is very well made with the only issue being that it's several shades darker than pictures. I'd have to assume the problems are rare with unhappy customers tending to be more vocal (not saying they shouldn't be), but I really have no idea.
The open sides are something I didn't think about at all before I ordered. It does make it a bit harder to reach the buttons on the off side in portrait. If I'm using it right handed it can be a bit tough to get to the volume buttons. If I'm using left, the sleep/wake button is a little challenging to get to. I'm a righty and I don't use the volume buttons all that often so it doesn't bother me. Landscape matters much less. No added difficulty whatsoever. I always prefer pressing the actual buttons on the phone rather than pressing them through a case, so it's a good trade off in my eyes.
They really should try to improve their customer service. It's a shame that it's a concern with what is marketed as a luxury product.
One name I haven't seen mentioned is Issentiel.
My experience with them is limited only to pre-sales support, but I took the gamble on an iPad case that should be arriving soon and will post my impressions of their work.
Their CS responses to my inquiries were quick, and upfront, which was in contrast to Vaja, who didn't answer at all.
The Vaja cases are attractive, and seem to be a positive experience for most people. However, I didn't want to take the risk that I'd have to deal with their CS if I got a dud (not unheard of), especially at those prices.
I also considered Noreve, and their variety of leather choices are tempting, but like with Piel Frama, certain elements of their designs weren't for me. It's too bad that their CS may be questionable.
I understand that with natural materials, and hand made goods, there will be variances, but those factors can't be used to justify defects, and there's just no excuse for poor CS at all, especially for what are purportedly luxury goods makers who position themselves as above the crowd.
My experience with them is limited only to pre-sales support, but I took the gamble on an iPad case that should be arriving soon and will post my impressions of their work.
Their CS responses to my inquiries were quick, and upfront, which was in contrast to Vaja, who didn't answer at all.
The Vaja cases are attractive, and seem to be a positive experience for most people. However, I didn't want to take the risk that I'd have to deal with their CS if I got a dud (not unheard of), especially at those prices.
I also considered Noreve, and their variety of leather choices are tempting, but like with Piel Frama, certain elements of their designs weren't for me. It's too bad that their CS may be questionable.
I understand that with natural materials, and hand made goods, there will be variances, but those factors can't be used to justify defects, and there's just no excuse for poor CS at all, especially for what are purportedly luxury goods makers who position themselves as above the crowd.
Did you receive your Issentiel case? Considering either their iPhone 6+ red sleeve or a Proporta one.
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I use MAKR shell cordovan pouch on my 6+. I stretched the case such that the Apple leather bumper fits inside.
http://makr.com/iphone-sleeve-iphone-6-plus-cordovan-horween-leather
http://makr.com/iphone-sleeve-iphone-6-plus-cordovan-horween-leather
I ordered a red pouch from them in the end, only had it a day but first impressions are pretty good. Not as 'premium' as, say, the CalypsoCase, but about as much as I'd be willing to spend on a case anyway.
It seems nice and sturdy, but isn't too large.
I use the same! Though I regret paying for cordovan. Think it is overrated (cordovan that is). I have the black one, and right on the first day it lost its shine and got all smudgy with fingerprints and thats how it stayed - dirty looking and smudged. It is just not even at all, every little imperfection stands out a lot (especially under direct light) and I dont like that. Also it welts as soon as a drop of water gets on it and leaves blemishes that wont go away. Tried everything to restore it as new but I guess thats just how cordovan is.
BTW I can only imagine how hard it was to stretch it to fit the apple case :O
My Horween shell cordovan wallet is doing well, and my reasoning for the iPhone case. Yes, shell cordovan is expensive but I still appreciate the feel. The leather is touch. It stretches, but recoils back a bit without tension. I used a series of ⅛" thick particle board pieces slid into the case to stretch it as well as a few expired plastic gift cards.
I have not experienced any water issues, but it certainly makes sense. Nonetheless, the feel of shell cordovan is like nothing else. I wish Apple (and the others) used Shell Cordovan more on their products.
Sena is probably about 80% the quality of the other cases in this thread; having owned one, they are quite high quality.
That being said, I can't justify paying $60 for a case that'll go through a good bit of wear. Any recommendations for a genuine leather wallet case under $50?
Vaja makes stunning cases (having owned one in the past) but for now I'm better off getting a general use wallet case rather than a hand-crafted piece of art.
That being said, I can't justify paying $60 for a case that'll go through a good bit of wear. Any recommendations for a genuine leather wallet case under $50?
Vaja makes stunning cases (having owned one in the past) but for now I'm better off getting a general use wallet case rather than a hand-crafted piece of art.
Shell Cordovan is an odd bird. To people who aren't familiar with leather, it probably looks more like vinyl than some animal hide.
It's known for its durability, so it's also odd that it would be affected it so quickly. Horween produces some of the finest leather, and their Shell Cordovan is no different.
Aside from the cost, it takes a long time to produce, so there is little chance it would ever be more widely used, and especially in the quantities demanded by someone like Apple. There are only so many meat horses to sacrifice their butts.
It's known for its durability, so it's also odd that it would be affected it so quickly. Horween produces some of the finest leather, and their Shell Cordovan is no different.
Aside from the cost, it takes a long time to produce, so there is little chance it would ever be more widely used, and especially in the quantities demanded by someone like Apple. There are only so many meat horses to sacrifice their butts.
I'm no expert but I've got a pair of Alden #8 Shell Cordovan boots and that's not cordovan. Maybe Chromeexcel but not cordovan, or else it needs serious rejuvenation.
Oh but it is cordovan. I guess it is how black one looks, or just typically for me got the one that came from the oldest and sickest most putrid horse. Think it may be the former because it looked nice out of the box. Anyway I will never know because I wont be buying anything cordovan again, not worth it just to see if other colours will fair better.
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yeah thats not how the real leather looks like (holding the proof in my hand) its probably just coloured wax and who knows what else to make a glass like thin outer layer, can achieve the same with calf. and you cant smear all this on something you are constantly handling because it will come off and get all over your clothes