If you're choosing between the Emery Alden RFID Card Case and the Carl Friedrik Hatton Cardholder, you're looking at two small full-grain leather card holders for everyday cards. The Hatton is smooth vachetta leather from a tannery Carl Friedrik names in Tuscany, opens at the side so you can keep folded notes in the middle, and comes in three colours. The Alden costs AED 350 less, has five card slots, a central pocket and RFID protection, and comes with a lifetime warranty, 100 days to return or exchange it and free delivery across the GCC.
We make the Alden, so we're not neutral. Everything below comes from what each brand publishes on its website, and we've included where Carl Friedrik comes out ahead.
Side by side
| Emery Alden RFID Card Case | Carl Friedrik Hatton Cardholder | |
|---|---|---|
| Price (UAE) | AED 250 | AED 600 |
| Leather | Vegetable-tanned full-grain chèvre (goat), LWG-certified tanneries | Vegetable-tanned full-grain vachetta (cowhide) from a named Tuscan tannery, LWG Gold or Silver tanneries |
| Capacity | 5 card slots and 1 central pocket | "Five card slots" in its description; "4 cards and 4 folded notes" in its spec list |
| Notes | Central pocket for folded notes | Side-opening middle compartment |
| RFID protection | Yes | Not mentioned |
| Size | Slim card case | 9.7 × 7 cm (an older line on the page says 10 × 7.4 cm) |
| Colours | Black, Chestnut | Chocolate, Cognac, Black |
| Personalisation | Not offered | Not offered |
| Warranty | Lifetime | Lifetime, for functional faults |
| Returns | 100 days to return or exchange | 60 days, unused; £30 return cost from outside the UK and Europe, exchanges free; shipping not refunded |
| Delivery to the UAE | Free across the GCC; 1–3 days in the UAE | Express AED 195, plus duties and taxes calculated at checkout |
Prices and terms as published, checked 25 October 2026. Check both sites for the latest.
Where Carl Friedrik is ahead
The Hatton's side opening is handy if you carry cash. Carl Friedrik says the middle compartment takes up to four folded notes, and you can reach them without taking your cards out. It comes in three colours, including cognac, and Carl Friedrik publishes its exact size. It names the Tuscan tannery behind its smooth vachetta, says its tanneries are LWG Gold or Silver, and adds hand-stitched reinforcements. If you prefer a vertical card holder, its Foley takes 8 cards for the same AED 600. In Kuwait or Doha you can see Carl Friedrik at Harvey Nichols or Salam.
Where Emery is ahead
The Alden is AED 350 cheaper. It has five card slots and a central pocket for folded notes, and RFID protection, so contactless cards can't be read at close range; Carl Friedrik doesn't mention RFID for the Hatton. The Alden is vegetable-tanned full-grain chèvre, a goat leather with a fine pebbled grain that hides scratches, from LWG-certified tanneries. Our leather glossary explains the terms.
Both warranties are lifetime. The other terms differ. Emery gives you 100 days to return or exchange; Carl Friedrik gives 60 days, lists a £30 return cost from outside the UK and Europe, and doesn't refund shipping. Emery delivers free across the GCC, in 1–3 days in the UAE. Carl Friedrik charges AED 195 for express delivery to the UAE, plus duties and taxes calculated at checkout. On 25 October its product page showed delivery in three days, while its help centre quotes 5–9 working days outside the UK and Europe.
Which should you choose?
Choose Carl Friedrik if you carry folded notes with your cards, want smooth vachetta, or want a colour like cognac.
Choose Emery if you want five card slots plus a central pocket, RFID protection, scratch-hiding chèvre, a lifetime warranty and 100 days to decide, with free GCC delivery, for AED 350 less.
See the Alden RFID Card Case and all our card holders, or compare it with Kaizer's Zenith.
Quick answers
How many cards does each hold? The Emery Alden has 5 card slots and a central pocket. Carl Friedrik describes the Hatton as having five card slots in one place and "4 cards and 4 folded notes" in another (October 2026).
Does the Carl Friedrik Hatton have RFID protection? Carl Friedrik's page for the Hatton doesn't mention RFID. The Emery Alden has RFID protection (October 2026).
Which is cheaper? The Emery Alden RFID Card Case is AED 250. The Carl Friedrik Hatton is AED 600, plus AED 195 express delivery to the UAE (October 2026).
