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Saddleback Leather Keyboard Case review

NEWS – Let’s face it – in this “information age”, most of us have become writers and editors. And, for better or for worse, this means having ready access to a keyboard. I carry one around in my bag most days, whether I think I’m going to use it or not, just in case, and that can lead to physical damage to the keys. Enter the fine folks at Saddleback Leather, who have produced a Leather Keyboard Case. (Isn’t that a simple product name? How refreshing!) I was sent one in Tobacco color, but it’s also available in Dark Coffee Brown, Chestnut, and Black. Let’s take a closer look.

Note: Photos may be tapped or clicked for a larger image.

What is it?

As the name implies, it’s a Leather case for your keyboard. A thick leather envelope with a flap, sized for a standard keyboard model, not the expanded one with numeric keypad and editing keys, this will hold the Apple Magic Keyboard, many Logitech keyboards (like my trusty K811) and models of similar size and shape.

What’s in the box?

The leather case, threaded with a leather thong to hold the flap closed.

Design and features

This being a Saddleback Leather product, we know it’s made from real leather. It’s thick, nicely tanned and durably sewn. The outer cow leather is actually thicker than boot leather, and the pigskin suede lining is smooth, soft, and will be kind to your keyboard until the next human-machine interface comes along to replace it. Measuring about 12.5″ x 6″, the envelope has enough play between the folded sides to hold a device .5″ – .75″ thick. The flap is a generous 3″ drop.


The case is constructed from a single piece of leather, folded around and stitched together to form a pocket with the flap coming up the back. The corners of the flap are slightly rounded, and all the edges are stitched with UV resistant marine-grade polyester thread. The keyboard is a snug fit, but the leather molds to the shape and loosens over time. The outer tanned surface will continue to develop that well-worn patina that good leather gains only with the passage of time and active use.


Minimal branding marks include the company name centered on the flap and a logo stamped into the bottom center of the back, just above the fold.

Performance

There have been numerous reviews here of Saddleback products, but it’s pretty amazing to hold one for the first time. You can tell it’s the real deal, and it’s going to protect whatever you put into it for the ages.
It’s quite tight when inserting a keyboard for the first few times, and the flap doesn’t fold down flat. One almost wants to find a way to work it to make it softer and more pliable, like oiling the pocket in a baseball mitt. Just in the few weeks that I’ve used it, however, I’m starting to see the leather take the shape of the keyboard and lay flatter.

What I Like

  • The quality of the materials and workmanship are unrivaled.
  • There are no frills or attempts at making it more than it is – a simple sleeve for a keyboard.

What needs to be improved

  • I wish there was another closure other than the wrap-around thong.

Final thoughts

A lot of the folks whose work I read will mention their keyboards from time to time. Many of them have opined about broken keys, missing keycaps, and damaged charging ports from their portable keyboard being crammed into a bag with other bits of tech and daily life. The Leather Keyboard Cover should prevent this while making a statement to any who see it of attention to quality in materials and design. And, when the computer-to-brain implant is perfected, maybe you can use it for that foldable screen information appliance you’ll replace your tablet with.

Price: $59.00
Where to buy: Saddleback Website
Source: The sample of this product was provided by Saddleback Leather company.

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Saddleback Leather Keyboard Case review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on February 3, 2019 at 10:00 am.

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Saddleback Leather Hard Leather iPad Pro Case review


REVIEW – For each of the past 2 years, I have invested in the newly released iPad 12.9″ Pro tablet for that year. I have become very dependent on using the iPad for many tasks including my daily email and MS Office tasks as well as for video and photo editing. The investment in the iPad is relatively expensive, so I always keep a lookout for any new case that will protect my device and if it can conquer fit, finish and function, then it is a winner. I recently received the Saddleback Leather Hard Leather iPad Pro case for review. At first glance, it is very attractive. Let’s see if it is just all looks or if it has much more to offer.

What is it?

The Saddleback Leather iPad case is an attractive and sleek iPad Pro 12.9″ case designed as a protective carry case and stand.

What’s in the box


1 x iPad Leather Case for 12.9″ iPad Pro

Design and features

This leather iPad case is available in four colors which are tobacco, dark coffee brown, chestnut, and black. For this review, the case is the dark brown. It is an attractive case with well-done edge stitching and leather straps on one side and loops on the other to accommodate the straps. There is a cutout on the sides with the loops to accommodate the camera.



The outside of the case is “finished” leather while the inside has the raw look. There are “pockets” on each edge that are holders for the iPad.


The picture below shows the iPad inserted into the case with the Apple pencil attached. For the 2018 iPad, the Apple pencil attaches and charges magnetically on the iPad.


The next picture below shows how the cover of the case is bent backward and the leather straps are inserted into the loops to allow the case to function as an upright stand.

Performance

When the case is closed, it allows the Apple pencil to remain attached and charging as necessary. It is quite slim and when closed everything feels safe and secure.


There are sufficient openings on each side that allow access to the speakers and USB-C port.


When the case is utilized as a stand, it reverses the orientation of the iPad so that the pencil is on the bottom which for my use is very inconvenient. It is almost impossible for me to remove or replace the pencil without lifting the case. When the case is bent to form the stand, at least one edge of the iPad tends to pop out of its holding pocket, and in one instance almost resulted in me dropping the iPad. Also, in the position as a stand, it works well on a desk or hard surface, but not so comfortable for hand holding or in my lap.


One other issue is that I noticed that the case scratches easily, so I am not sure if it will look nice and rustic over time, or just a complete mess.

What I like

  • The sophisticated look
  • The quality of the leather and construction

What can be improved

  • The design for use as a stand
  • The finish or type of leather that needs to be more resistant to scratches
  • The surrounding pockets/holders for the iPad
  • The design that allows the iPad and pencil to be in the correct orientation when the case is being used as a stand
  • A design that allows practical use when in your lap

Final thoughts

The Saddleback Leather iPad case is made from really nice quality leather and looks very attractive and professional. The stitching is well done and it just looks like quality. However, from a functional perspective, the design needs a bit more thought so that the fit and function match the materials used. While it may add to a sophisticated look when carrying your iPad, I do not find its function practical for my daily use. Maybe this is just my issue, but I do suspect that many users will experience the same.

Price: $129
Where to buy: Saddleback website
Sample: The sample for this review was provided by Saddleback Leather Company.

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Saddleback Leather Hard Leather iPad Pro Case review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on January 29, 2019 at 9:00 am.

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Baltic Domini Men’s Orange Leather Briefcase review

REVIEW – Sweet, sweet Italian craftsmanship. That’s what you’re getting with the Baltic Domini Men’s Orange Leather Briefcase. It’s a beauty, my friends, made for dominating the board room. Grab your best business suit, ‘cause we’re about to get fancy. To the review!

What is it?

It’s a double gusset (or two compartment) Italian leather briefcase that includes a shoulder strap.

Hardware specs

  • Full grain vegetable tanned leather
  • 11” by 4.3” by 15.7”
  • Shoulder strap drop length: 18.5″ to 22.4″
  • 3.5 pounds

What’s in the box?

The briefcase is the show here and includes a detachable leather shoulder strap. Baltic Domini also includes a nice cotton dust bag, to keep your leather protected when it is in storage. The ukulele is not included (that’s mine), but I dropped it in to give you a color reference for the leather:

Design and features

The form factor of the Baltic Domini is a classic two gusset briefcase with a flap closure. The design is all business, focused on carrying your office essentials while looking good on the job. Let’s walk through the details!

Materials and Construction

The leather on this bag is simply delicious. This is real-deal Italian vegetable tanned leather that takes on an orange tone as a result of the all-natural dying process. Check out the natural grain and shiny glow:

Ain’t it a beauty? I’m getting a 2 mm thickness on the caliper, which puts it at about 5 oz leather… a good thickness for durability, while still maintaining that supple flexibility. It feels amazing when you handle it. Here’s a shot of the suede backside on the main flap. The internal components use an untreated leather that you’ll see in the other pics.

The hardware is right in line with the quality of the leather. Heavy brass hardware is used throughout with additional reinforcement at all the critical wear points. Here’s a close up of the shoulder strap attachment to give you a sense of the beefy gear. Good leather, backed by reinforced stitching and heavy pegs make for a solid build:

Here’s a different angle. See those little brass clips next to my finger? Not only do those finish the edging in a classy way, but they provide “bumpers” that absorb scrapes and bumps as you put stuff in your bag, protecting the seams. Simple, but effective.

A pair of thick pegs rotate to lock in & secure the main flap. Not only is this great for providing a secure seal, but it’s ideal for long term durability:

Here’s a closeup of the carry handle. Note the multiple layers of leather and brass pegs to back up the hardware. I don’t see this as a potential fail point, either.

The shoulder strap is roughly 46″ long and 3/4″ wide, with a generous drop length of 18.5″ to 22.4″.  The strap pad is is 5-12/” by 1-1/2″. Both are well constructed with two layers of leather, but I wish the strap pad was a bit wider & longer for more comfort when the bag is fully loaded. I dig the little slogan on the pad:

Baltic Domini proudly sports the “Made In Italy” tag in multiple places on the bag including the strap pad, zipper pulls, pocket linings, and this cool tag on the inside of the bag. It’s a bit excessive with all those reminders, but it is subtle enough that it doesn’t detract from the bag’s overall look. And I respect the pride in their heritage.

Design and Layout

The Baltic Domini Orange Leather Briefcase is built for the office. The lean profile is made for carrying the thin square stuff like your laptop and documents, with multiple pockets for the essential accessories.

Starting on the exterior, you’ll find a cotton-lined external pocket on the back face of the bag that’s 7″ by 12″. You can *just* get a standard iPad tablet in there, but I think this pocket is better suited for smaller tablets, a notebook, or travel documents. I can’t figure out who makes the zipper, but it feels substantial and features a nice chunky zipper pull.

Open up the main flap, and the front face features three pockets for small items. The zip pocket mirrors the one on the exterior, and works for a small notebook or assorted small items. It’s got a nice rugged zipper and zipper pull that match the setup on the exterior pocket.

The left pocket is 6″ by 5″ with a button snap closure, and bellows a bit. It’s not quite deep enough for a MacBook power brick, but will happily accept accessories like your USB accessories and a wireless mouse.

The right pocket is 5″ by 5″ and doesn’t expand. You could drop a standard-sized smartphone in here, but my iPhone XS Max won’t fit comfortable fit in that slot. Three business card slots are attached to the front of the pocket.

The front compartment is 2″ deep with a raw leather lining. This is where you’ll stash your bigger items like a power brick, a thick notebook, or other chunky accessories. The rear face of this compartment has an 4″ by 5″ pocket that expands a bit (my iPhone fits here, as does a Magic Mouse), another card slot, and three pen slots:

The rear compartment is identically sized at 2″ deep, made for carrying up to a 15″ laptop, a tablet, and documents. My 13″ MacBook Pro fits nicely in here with room to spare:

You’ll find another 7″ by 12″ zip pocket on the rear face of this compartment that matches the other zip pockets. The zipper is a little less substantial than the others, but that’s OK given that it’s deep in the bag.

Finally, we have a button-snap leather loop on the back side of the compartment. This is ideal for hanging your keys, or you could use it as an attachment point for other items. I should note that this setup could have your keys scratching up against your laptop if you’ve got a bigger device in there. I don’t have this issue with my 13″ MacBook, but I would have preferred if this loop was attached in the front compartment.

Performance

For the businessperson looking to add a whole heap of style to your daily carry, the Baltic Domini Orange Leather Briefcase is a treat. It looks amazing and the leather is fantastic. While it maintains a classic look, there are plenty of pockets for accessories and tech that you typically don’t find in traditional briefcases. At a total weight of 3.5 pounds, it also won’t crush your shoulder when you’re loaded up with your work gear. It works equally well if you carry it by the handle or over the shoulder, and the generous drop length on the shoulder strap also allows for messenger-style carry if you’re on the run.

As with most traditional briefcases, the slim, double-gusset form factor does have pros and cons. While the leather does give you some flexibility, chunkier items simply won’t fit in the bag and allow for proper closure of the front flap. You won’t be able to stash a standard travel mug or hydration bottle in there, for example. On the flip side, you can load up your documents, folders, and notebooks without fear of the dreaded crushed corners.

For smaller and thinner items, the abundance of pockets is ideal. The assorted slip pockets and three different 7″ by 12″ zip pockets give you a bunch of versatility for organizing dongles, cables, small notebooks, travel documents, and the like while keeping the two main compartments clutter-free. At first, I thought that the three zip pockets were overkill, but I’m realizing that I don’t need to add the accessory pouches you usually need with these types of bags. It makes for tidy and well-organized daily carry, and those pockets are slim enough that they don’t get in the way of storage if you don’t need them.

I also like the rotating peg locks on the flaps. No clips to fumble with, or peg/loop arrangements that can come undone at the most inopportune times. Lock it, and it stays put. The flap design also provides a tight seal on the open compartments, which means stuff won’t spill out if the bag ends up on its side. You’ll appreciate that if you have to go through a TSA checkpoint.

It makes for a very comfortable carry no matter how you haul it. The handle features of soft pad under that leather with is really nice for handling. While I mentioned that I’d like a slightly beefier shoulder pad, it’s fine given the overall weight of the bag unless you are really overloaded.

What I like

  • Beautiful leather
  • Excellent craftsmanship
  • Lots of pockets for accessories, tech, and general organization

What needs to be improved

  • Key loop would be better if it wasn’t placed in the laptop compartment
  • Would like to see a slightly larger shoulder pad
  • Could dial back on the “Made in Italy” slogans everywhere on the bag

Final thoughts

The Baltic Domini Men’s Orange Leather Briefcase is a beautiful, well-designed piece of Italian craftsmanship. And I wouldn’t peg this as just a men’s bag; I think the style works well for any business person looking to upgrade their office style. In my opinion, it’s also a great value. The bag normally retails for $225 which is great for a nice leather briefcase, but Baltic Domini currently has it on sale for under $200. If you’re doing some post-holiday shopping, this one is worth a look.

Price: $225 retail, but on sale for $190 as of 12/27/18.
Where to buy: You’ll find it at the Baltic Domini product page.
Source: The sample of this product was provided by Baltic Domini

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Baltic Domini Men’s Orange Leather Briefcase review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on January 4, 2019 at 11:00 am.

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Traveler & More notebook review

REVIEW – Over the years I’ve tried countless task and todo apps like Google Keep, Todoist, Wunderlist, and more. I start out excited to go digital with my task tracking, but I always end up going back to using a good old pen and a notebook because manually writing the task with a little box next to it is something my brain needs as an incentive to actually finish the task at hand. Why? I want the satisfaction of drawing an X in that box and tapping a box with my finger in an app doesn’t work the same for me. That was a long-winded explanation for why I love notebooks and why I also love to review them. The latest notebook on my testing bench is the Traveler & More notebook. Let’s check it out.

What is it?

The Traveler & More notebook is a simple leather notebook cover with multiple notebooks and inserts inside. It borrows the design and style of the popular Midori Traveler’s Notebooks from Japan which I reviewed many years ago and even made a pocket-sized Traveler’s Notebook DIY version of my own.

Design and features

The Traveler & More notebook arrives in a simple thick craft paper package tied with string. I am a fan of minimalism and often get annoyed by flashy packaging that ends up in the trash. The Traveler & More packaging is minimal and will end up in the recycle bin.

The notebook is the spitting image of the Midori notebooks and features one piece of leather that folds around the inserts to create a simple 8.7 x 4.9 x 1.6 inch cover. The leather used to construct the Traveler & More notebook cover is crazy horse leather which has been dyed a rich dark chocolate brown. I still have a Midori Travelers Notebook and find that I like the feel of the Traveler & More leather better because it’s softer and more supple. It even smells better 🙂

The Traveler & More notebook uses elastic bands to keep the cover closed, and a narrow strip of leather protects the edges of the cover from being deformed by the thin elastic cord.

The Traveler & More cover’s elastic band is attached to the spine of the cover instead of the back cover which I never liked with Midori covers. And as you can see from the image above, all the holes in the cover have been reinforced with metal eyelets which not only look a lot nicer but protect the leather. You’ll also notice in the image above, that the Traveler & More logo is stamped into the spine of the cover. Luckily, it’s not too noticeable.

The inside surface of the covers is raw leather which does shed a little bit. At least mine has since I’ve been using it for the past couple of weeks. Not that it’s a big deal, but I thought it was worth mentioning.

Each Traveler & More notebook comes setup with 4 separate notebooks and several inserts. The notebooks and inserts are held in the notebook by elastic bands. It’s a simple system, but it works great and is secure. There isn’t a worry that the notebooks or inserts will fall out.

The 8.5 x 4.5 inch notebooks all have the same brown kraft paper/cardboard cover, sewn binding, and 40 sheets/80 pages that have a light cream color. You get a lined notebook, with faint light grey dotted lines.

There’s also a planner or memo style notebook that has a section at the top where you can mark the day of the week and date along with an agenda style list for the rest of the page with 1am – 12pm slots.

The Traveler & More notebook includes a notebook with plain pages for people who like to draw or who just like to have blank pages for their own layouts.

Last but not least, a square grid notebook is included. The paper used in the notebooks is 100GSM paper and it feels pretty thick. I don’t use fountain pens, but I do use ink, both rollerball, and gel pens, and markers, and didn’t notice any issues with the ink bleeding through the pages.

Other inserts include a vinyl card holder that has 1 large slot on top and 3 slots on the back that are sized to hold typical credit cards, business cards, etc.

I’m using mine to hold some journaling tools.

There’s also a zipper pouch that you can use to hold small flat items like stickers, stamps, receipts, etc.

Other storage options included in the notebook are a craft paper envelope.

And a craft paper folder with card slots.

With 4 notebooks and the inserts, the Traveler & More notebook is a pretty chunky setup.

The leather notebook cover is sized large enough to hang over all the edges a bit so nothing sticks out. Some people will not like a notebook this chunky/thick and others seek out notebooks like this one so that they can use each notebook for a different topic. So like many of the products that we review, it’s all about personal preference.

I don’t mind a thick notebook, but I do find that it takes a little more effort to stow it in my bag when I’m taking it to and from work.

One feature that is a must have for me when I’m shopping for a new notebook, is that the notebook has to lay flat and stay open to the page that I’m working on. If it flops closed by itself, or if I have to constantly try to smooth down the pages, it will annoy me pretty quickly. The Traveler & More notebook doesn’t lay perfectly flat but it does a pretty decent job of staying open to the page I’m writing on and I think that with use, it will get better as the notebooks get broken in.

What I like

  • Comes with 4 notebooks and inserts
  • The leather cover is soft
  • Price is very affordable

What needs to be improved

  • Would be great to offer other sizes like A5 or pocket-sized versions

Final thoughts

If you enjoy a rustic looking notebook that you can refill and customize, the Traveler & More notebook is a steal at $32 because it comes with 4 notebooks and inserts that will help you keep “stuff” organized. It’s well made, will only get better looking as it lives with you through your adventures and everyday wear and tear. If you’ve wanted to buy a Traveler’s notebook but didn’t have the money for the brand name version, look no further than this one from Traveler & More. In my opinion, it’s better in every way and significantly less expensive.

Price: $32.10
Where to buy: Amazon
Source: The sample for this review was provided by Traveler & More.

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Traveler & More notebook review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on December 10, 2018 at 11:00 am.

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WaterField introduces leather office accessories

NEWS – WaterField usually makes fine leather accessories, wallets, bags, and organizers that you take along with you.  Now they’ve introduced some leather accessories that stay at home on your desk to keep your workspace neat and tidy.

The Leather Charging Valet is made of premium, vegetable-tanned leather in brown.  It measures 9.5″ X 7.5″ at the bottom, 11.25″ X 9.5″ at the top, and stands 1.5″ tall.  It has room for your pocket stuff, and there’s even a cutout on the back for charging cables.  The Leather Charging Valet is $59.

WaterField has two leather pads:  a mousepad and a desk pad.  The Leather Mouse Pad is made of distressed, full-grain leather and measures 10.38″ x 9″ x 0.7″.  You could even throw this in a bag to take with you if you’re a dedicated mouser.  The Leather Mouse Pad is $29.00.  The Desk Pad is also made of the same distressed, full-grain leather.  It measures 18.5″ x 13.75″ x 0.7″ – big enough to protect your desktop from scratches and to provide a smooth surface for writing or a stable laptop base.  The Leather Desk Pad is $79.00.

You’ll also notice the Stylus Pencil Case in the top photo.  This case is sized to fit the Apple Pencil (2nd gen) or the Microsoft Surface Pen, with room for other writing implements.  The Stylus Pencil Case is available in leather ($59), or ballistic nylon or waxed canvas ($29).

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WaterField introduces leather office accessories originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on December 5, 2018 at 8:00 am.

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