Product: Piel Frama Leather Case for 8700 Series (Also available in ostrich skin and standard leather.)
Price: $90 Euros ($108.97 USD, Shipping included)
URL: www.pielframa.com

Review:
This case arrived in a very nicely packaged box with a thick paper insert, all with logos, a very classy touch.




At first glance, second glance and even third, fourth and fifth glances, this case is beautiful. The glossy black exterior crocodile-look leather is tremendous to look at and the stitching is superbly done.




When you open it you see the inside leather is different from the outside. The black portion is a matte instead of glossy, which looks better around the device than would the glossy. The inner portion is a very nice light brown leather, and it has their logo and a statement of hand craftedness and quality embossed right into it behind where the device will reside.




There are two slots on the inside of the flap for credit cards, money and/or ID cards. The foremost slot has a window allowing you to see what is behind it - nice place for a photo, but not long enough to house your ID there. It is protected by a see-through mesh-type of plastic.




There is a cutout for the earpiece, and the sides have cutouts for all buttons and jacks. The trackwheel and escape button are very easy to utilize, as the leather is thin enough to not hinder your use. The keyboard is perfectly accessible - the leather portion around the keyboard leaves the right amount of room between it and the edge of the outermost keys, causing no interference at all.




The back has a cutout for the speaker, and it is protected with a piece of the same plastic mesh that I described on the inside of the flap. Just under that cutout is the stud for the belt clip. It is small and made of a sturdy black plastic. It has a slti across the top of it that allows you to use the included metal tool to unscrew it and remove it entirely, giving you the option of a pocketable case. Once removed, the screw hole is covered by one of three included black plastic snap inserts, thereby protecting the opening left by the removed stud.




The belt clip is a standard type, low profile swivel clip. It is sturdy and very functional.




The closure is a snap, not a magnet, and both the male and female portions are perfectly integrated into the leather, and it holds securely. There is no protective plastic across the screen portion, and I see this as a plus. I don't like the feel of the plastic on my face when using the phone. I prefer to use a screen protector directly on the device itself.



Pictures from the Piel Frama Website:


Ostrich Skin: REVIEWED HERE!!!


Cowskin Cases:




UPDATE: Piel Frama has fixed the location of the sleeper magnet. Now it is perfectly placed. I have been supplied with a new case for review, this time the Ostrich Skin leather, and it is exceptional. Read the review here.


Pros: Excellent craftsmanship, superior leather products, easy access to all buttons/jacks, good belt clip, removeable belt clip stud.

Cons: Expensive.

Conclusion: Now that the sleeper magnet has been properly placed, this case is perfect. Well designed, wonderful materials, comfort, style, usability.

Holy moly, what a`great review. A contender for the new casemeister? Larry, do you hear the footsteps?

Very interesting review. This case seems well designed and the removable stud is smart. I think that it would also be nice in the standard black cow leather.

Look forward to your update on the magnet. Thanks!

Thanks - I added some photos of the other skin options for you to see.

this case looks really nice, but do you at all feel that the flip cover somewhat gets in the way of funcational operation of the device itself.

I wanted to order the VAJA case because of my usual good fortune with them, but with all the people speaking negative on the forum, i decided to forget vaja all together...

No. The flip cover will hang out of the way when typing on the device, especially after the leather gets worked in a bit. As new, it is still a little stiff, but I'm sure it would only be like that for a week or so. Also, when talking on the phone the flip cover is hanging out of the way. and since all of the buttons are easily accessed, I don't see any interference with operation at all.

sorry to bug you, but they dont logo up the case anywhere i will assume, correct?

I would never buy a case that had logos all over it, i dont care if it says armani or prada on it....logos look horrible embossed/etched into cases on the outside regions

The only logo is on the inside, and will actually be completely hidden behind the device when it is inserted.

Man, this is one sexy case. Grrr.

I need to get a better job and leave this "poor college student" status.

Love Piel Frama cases. Nice review.

I thought about orderding one a little while ago but I'm glad I didn't based on the problem you had with the magnet. I'll be waiting to hear what they reply.

The more the merrier.

That's why you are the man-- a great attitude. BTW, Larry thanks for all you do for this forum. Your case giveaway was great even though I didn't win. Of course, I have 4 cases already so I'll muddle through.

The Ostrich case is beautiful!

LOL, at least you got your BB Liv!

I gotta say, while I love the packaging and the two tone leather, the crocodile skin, I'm not a giant fan of.

I was looking over my review and thinking to myself how the pictures do not do it justice. It really is a very beautiful case. I wish I had a better camera and lighting to show it off.

Yeppers! Just being able to get my BB was a huge blessing :D

thanks for the review, I ordered one of these last week and was sort of going off the pictures, but after reading your review, I am really looking forward to it's arrival !!!

As a new member to this site and a first time BB owner (cingular) I would like to say hello to everyone. This is an incredible site. As a owner of a Treo 650 and an IPAQ 4705, I have cases from this company for both of these units and they are the best yet I've experienced.

When I bought my BB, the first thing I did was jump online and order a case for it from them.

I only hope the magnet is not an issue when I receive mine, I'm confident it will be okay.

That's it for my first post. Keep up the great work you all are doing on this forum and I wish you continued success.

In the above review I mention the mislocation of the sleeper magnet. I have contacted the company rep and got a response from him this morning. Below is his quoted email.

So any members who have already placed an order with Piel Frama for this particular line of cases, contact Manuel Garcia immediately to arrange for your new case.

Your friendly neighborhood Super Moderator,
Seattle18