The Custom Buckler Grip is the most protective leather case we make, built to order for iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max: 316 stainless steel shields on all four corners and the Bonded Layer over our Tri-Layer core, finished in the leathers and colors you choose. Handcrafted in 3 to 5 weeks, with Apple MagSafe charging and full V-Mag add-on compatibility.
Corners take the impact first. A phone that lands on a corner concentrates the entire force of the drop into a few millimetres, and leather on its own cannot spread that load. That is the whole idea behind Buckler: four 316 stainless steel shields designed to deflect and redirect that energy into the body of the case, plus the Bonded Layer over our Tri-Layer core for a stiffer, stronger shell. The Custom Buckler Grip is that construction, made in the leathers you pick.
Available for iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. You choose the model first, and the case is cut to the exact dimensions of that iPhone — button placement, camera cutout and all.
Then it becomes yours: the leather on the body, the contrast stripe, the lining you see when you look inside, the camera ring, the Vaja logo, the 925 sterling silver accents and the finish of the Buckler shields themselves. Up to three sterling silver initials, if you want them there.
316 is the marine-grade alloy, chosen because it resists corrosion from skin contact and humidity over years of daily handling. Underneath it, the Tri-Layer core does the everyday work: a rigid Tritan Copolyester shell disperses the hit, a soft leather lining guards against micro-scratches, and a high-defense anodized aluminum ring adds drop protection around the camera. Built-in N52 rare-earth magnets keep it ready for Apple MagSafe chargers, with the case on — the shields sit away from the magnetic area and do not interfere.
Like every V-Mag case, it carries the add-ons. Snap on the Wallet Wrap to turn it into a full leather wallet case with a cover over the screen, or add a Mini Wallet, Card Wallet or Fold Stand. Browse the V-Mag add-ons made for iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max.
Every custom piece is cut and assembled by hand for one person, which is why it takes 3 to 5 weeks. You can cancel for a full refund at any point before our artisans start cutting your leather. After that the piece exists only for you, so it cannot be cancelled and it cannot be returned once delivered — the exception is a manufacturing defect, which we repair or replace at no cost.
If you want a lighter case and can do without reinforced corners, the Custom Grip is the same leather work without the steel. If you always carry cards, the Custom Buckler Wallet builds the wallet into this same steel-cornered construction and still charges on MagSafe with the cards inside.
Still weighing the options? Which iPhone 18 leather case should you choose? compares the whole range on weight, card capacity, screen protection and MagSafe charging.
The most protection we know how to build, in the leather you choose.
The Custom Buckler Grip is made for iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. You select your model as the first step of the configurator, and the case is cut to the exact dimensions of that model, so the two versions are not interchangeable.
The body leather and its color, the contrast stripe, the interior lining, the finish of the camera ring and the Vaja logo, the 925 sterling silver accents, the finish of the Buckler corner shields, and up to three sterling silver initials. You see the case update as you choose.
Every Vaja custom piece is handcrafted to order in 3 to 5 weeks, and then shipped. We email you the moment yours goes into production and again when it ships.
You can cancel for a full refund any time before production starts. Once our artisans begin cutting your leather, the order can no longer be cancelled. Because each piece is made to your own leather, color and finish choices, we do not accept returns on delivered custom orders. The exception is a manufacturing defect, which we repair or replace at no cost.
Three things the rest of the range does not have, on top of the standard construction: 316 stainless steel shields on all four corners, the Bonded Layer of added reinforcement, and a hard-anodized aluminum ring around the camera system. Together with the Tri-Layer Core underneath, they concentrate defense on the areas most exposed in an everyday drop.
Because corners take the impact first. A phone that lands on a corner concentrates the entire force of the drop into a few millimetres, and leather on its own cannot spread that load. The four shields are designed to deflect and redirect that energy into the body of the case. 316 is the marine-grade alloy, chosen because it resists corrosion from skin contact and humidity over years of daily handling.
An additional layer of reinforcement that sits with the Tri-Layer Core to form a stiffer, stronger structure than the Tri-Layer Core alone. It is what separates Buckler from the rest of the Vaja range on protection, and it is present in both the Buckler Grip and the Buckler Wallet.
Same leather choices, same Tri-Layer core, same MagSafe charging, same V-Mag add-ons. The Buckler adds 316 stainless steel shields on all four corners and the Bonded Layer, for 7 grams on the stock versions: 63 against 56. Choose the Custom Grip if the slimmest possible profile matters more to you; choose the Custom Buckler Grip if you drop your phone, work outdoors, or simply want the most protective leather case we make.
The construction, the protection and the MagSafe performance are identical. Our stock Buckler Grip comes in Floater Black with your choice of smooth or striped steel corners, and ships from prepared inventory. The Custom Buckler Grip lets you decide every surface and add silver accents and initials, and takes 3 to 5 weeks to make. Choose stock if you want it soon; choose custom if you want it to be yours.
Yes. Up to three initials in 925 sterling silver, set into the leather. They are part of the piece, not a print, so they do not wear off.
Yes. Integrated N52 rare-earth magnets are designed for reliable alignment and charging with Apple MagSafe chargers on both the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max versions, with the case on. The steel corner shields sit away from the magnetic area and do not interfere with charging.
All of them. V-Mag is Vaja’s magnetic attachment system, and this case carries the Wallet Wrap, the Mini Wallet, the Card Wallet and the Fold Stand. Adding the Wallet Wrap turns it into a full leather wallet case with a screen cover; note that the Wallet Wrap has to be removed to charge on MagSafe, which is exactly the trade the built-in Custom Buckler Wallet avoids. See the full range in V-Mag Add-Ons for iPhone 18 Pro & iPhone 18 Pro Max.
The Custom Buckler Grip uses the same construction as our stock Buckler Grip, which weighs 63 grams (2.22 oz) including the four steel corner shields, the Bonded Layer and the aluminum camera ring; sterling silver accents and initials add slightly to that depending on what you choose. For comparison across the iPhone 18 range: the Grip is 56 grams, the detachable Wallet Wrap adds 86, the Wallet Leather Case is 98 and the Buckler Wallet is 107.
Yes to both. Every Custom Buckler Grip is made by hand, one case at a time, in real full-grain leather sourced from Patagonia, Argentina, with a soft Vaja leather lining inside. Natural variations in the grain make each piece subtly unique, and no two custom cases are ever the same.
Have more questions? Visit our full FAQ page for answers about shipping, returns, warranty, and more.