Craighill's Card Case Is Design Worth Carrying
The Brooklyn design studio's Summit Card Case is a cigarette-case-inspired metal wallet that puts aesthetics first.
There is a trend of so-called non-wallet companies developing their own wallets at the moment, and I am very much here for it. Rimowa and their card case, The James Brand and their Card Case, and most recently the Vault by Arc. What stands out to me is that these wallets are designed not just for function but for style and beauty. I have talked a lot in the past about how, for wallets to survive the next decade or so, they need to evolve beyond function and take a design-driven approach.
We spent 4 years designing a lid. (Craighill design)
After all, wallets are in a delicate state. Cash is dying, at least in the West, and technology is taking over how the average person pays on a daily basis. So it is fantastic to see companies like Rimowa, Arc, and the topic of this article, Craighill, taking steps in the right direction and cementing their place in a difficult market. One that is ripe for the picking and heading in a direction not too dissimilar to the wristwatch market when quartz hit the scene.
Who Are Craighill?
Craighill’s Summit Card Case is a perfect example of this and one design that has been on my radar for a while. Craighill is a Brooklyn-based company with a philosophy of designing timeless objects for everyday use, things that function well and that you would be proud to have in your home. Curiosity, ingenuity, and satisfaction is their motto, and it shines through their eclectic range of products, from lighters through to desktop puzzles.
To me, Craighill blend timeless industrial aesthetic with a pop of color that creates a juxtaposition I simply love. Sleek metal, unique rounded shapes, and little accents that draw your attention yet make you appreciate the wider design, as everything blends and works seamlessly together.
The Summit Card Case
To add to this ever-growing collection of products, earlier this year Craighill released the Summit Card Case, which I first discovered through Instagram. It is a simple design: a clean, fully metal card case that reminds me of an old cigarette case from the 1930s or 40s, or the timeless look of a Zippo lighter. The cigarette case comparison is one I have made for other wallets in the past, such as the fluted version of Secrid’s Cardprotector+. I am sure you can see the resemblance.
What struck me about the Craighill wallet was its attention to detail. It is fair to say a lot of effort went into this design, and Craighill’s video on the intricacies of the flip mechanism or lid is what really brought that home. I would recommend watching it. It is a great insight into how designers design, and into the small details brands go through that you never think about when buying a product.
Function: My Reservations
I have talked a lot about the design of the Craighill card case, but what about its actual function? This is where things get a little more tricky for me. The functionality is simple: cards are stored within one large central slot and secured in place by the previously mentioned flip lid. That is it. Please keep in mind that I have not managed to get my hands on this wallet yet, so everything here is conjecture based on my research and my previous experience with similar designs.
My overall first impressions are fine, but its simplicity can be seen as a flaw. All cards are stored within one central compartment, so if there are too many, how easy is it to access them? I have had similar wallets in the past where I have struggled to remove one card at a time. Cards in the middle of the stack get lost and I have ended up having to take the whole stack out to find the one I want. I do not know whether this is something Craighill have thought about or designed to combat. Only real-life testing will answer that question, so I will hold my reservations until then.
What Else does the Summit Wallet Offer?
The tactile, spring-loaded hinge mechanism for the lid is something I already know would become my next fidget toy. As someone who has carried many Zippos over the years, it is something I cannot help but love. RFID blocking is a given with the wallet’s all-brushed-metal design, although RFID is a myth so it really does not matter. Capacity is a respectable nine cards, which is more than enough for the vast majority of people. No dedicted area for cash storage will put many people off, but Craighill call this specfically a card case (not a wallet) and a cashless society is where we’re heading anyways.
Early Verdict: What do I think?
Overall I am looking forward to getting my hands on this wallet, and from a design perspective I cannot really fault it. My only reservation is the absence of what I consider Craighill’s signature pop of color, a design accent that features across the vast majority of their other products. At $79, it is well priced in a crowded metal wallet market, and I cannot see a world where this wallet does not do well.
For more information on the Craighill Summit Card Case, visit their official website by clicking the link below.
Check Wallet Price