Wallet recommendations
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I will admit that I’m simplifying leather quality terminology quite a lot with that.
Really that’s only part of the grading. There’s different layers to leather like there is to our skin
Full grain leather is basically what you probably think leather is- a slab of animal hide with flesh removed that’s been tanned
Top grain leather has basically had the very top layer sanded down to remove any imperfections.
Split gain leather has had ever more of the top layers removed (suede is a type of split grain) to
And genuine leather has had even more layers removed and usually needs a lot of processing done to it to make it look decent
The topmost layers are the most durable, and so genuine leather tends to not hold up as well as other grades, but it does have some valid uses, full grain leather can be stiff, and genuine leather tends to be pretty soft and flexible, and the other layers in between have their own properties that may or may not be desirable to preserve depending on the intended use.
And within those categories there are still other ways of grading quality- the quality of the hide you started with, different types of treatments and processing, etc. so there is genuine leather out there that is pretty nice, and trash full grain leather.
But as a genuine rule of thumb, if you’re looking for a sturdy leather thing, genuine leather usually isn’t the way to go
And then a step down you have stuff like bonded leather which is basically shredded up leather that’s been mixed with rubber and such and formed into a sheet.
Top grain leather has basically had the very top layer sanded down to remove any imperfections.
Thats actually nubuck or “corrected grain”. “Top grain” without any modifiers on it shouldn’t have anything taken off the top.
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Interesting about genuine leather. I decided to check the wallet I’ve had with me for going on 20 years now the only mark I see on it says “genuine leather”. I never do any kind of care to it, it’s gone through all manner of weather from tropical rain to -30c, zero signs of damage. It’s perhaps the longest lasting most reliable thing I’ve ever owned and it sees daily abuse
“Genuine leather” isnt technically bad, it’s just a very broad and not useful term.
It literally just means exactly what it says, that it’s not fake leather. You could take full thickness of a hide and label that genuine leather (though “full grain” would be a better descriptor). You could also take a bunch of suede scraps, glue them together, and coat it in polyurethane to look like a full grain, and label that “genuine leather”.
You might have an actually decent leather. Nowadays, since people are more savvy to the meaninglessness of the term, reputable leather goods are typically not marked “genuine leather” since it has a negative connotation, but maybe not when you bought your wallet.
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Bought one from German producer Feuerwear**, who make then out of old fire fighter’s hose. Had mine for 2+ years and it just doesn’t scratch/ruin. A friend has had theirs for 5+ years and it’s is only slightly faded but otherwise still in perfect condition (incl. zips etc.)
https://www.feuerwear.de/portemonnaies-aus-feuerwehrschlauch/
Came here to say this. Have a Feuerwear (your autocorrect fucked up there btw) wallet for several years. Has been the longest lasting one and still looks like on the first day, apart from the grime.
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I usually just buy a leather wallet at some store and it starts to get grungy after a year or so. Any recommendations? Thanks.
As others have mentioned, the Flowfold is a good option, in particular their model made from upcycled sail cloth (not all models are).
There’s also Couch Guitar Straps, who make some of their wallets out of upcycled vintage NOS 70’s car upholstery, which is extremely hard wearing, and very thin.
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I will admit that I’m simplifying leather quality terminology quite a lot with that.
Really that’s only part of the grading. There’s different layers to leather like there is to our skin
Full grain leather is basically what you probably think leather is- a slab of animal hide with flesh removed that’s been tanned
Top grain leather has basically had the very top layer sanded down to remove any imperfections.
Split gain leather has had ever more of the top layers removed (suede is a type of split grain) to
And genuine leather has had even more layers removed and usually needs a lot of processing done to it to make it look decent
The topmost layers are the most durable, and so genuine leather tends to not hold up as well as other grades, but it does have some valid uses, full grain leather can be stiff, and genuine leather tends to be pretty soft and flexible, and the other layers in between have their own properties that may or may not be desirable to preserve depending on the intended use.
And within those categories there are still other ways of grading quality- the quality of the hide you started with, different types of treatments and processing, etc. so there is genuine leather out there that is pretty nice, and trash full grain leather.
But as a genuine rule of thumb, if you’re looking for a sturdy leather thing, genuine leather usually isn’t the way to go
And then a step down you have stuff like bonded leather which is basically shredded up leather that’s been mixed with rubber and such and formed into a sheet.
I had no idea there was so much to it! Makes sense though it’s been around forever of course there are a lot of specifics in how it gets processed
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Came here to say this. Have a Feuerwear (your autocorrect fucked up there btw) wallet for several years. Has been the longest lasting one and still looks like on the first day, apart from the grime.
Ha! Thanks for noticing!
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I usually just buy a leather wallet at some store and it starts to get grungy after a year or so. Any recommendations? Thanks.
I recently got a Deuter travel wallet (Deuter is a German Backpack/Hiking equipment manufacturer, and their stuff is usually very well made. I’ve had the same trekking backpack for 10 years now, and the way it’s looking, I’ll have it for another 30 at least).
Tbh the wallet is not very stylish… But it’s very well made, lots of slots for card, cash, and even passport, and if it does get grungy, you can throw it in the washing machine.
There’s also a smaller option if this one is too big.
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I usually just buy a leather wallet at some store and it starts to get grungy after a year or so. Any recommendations? Thanks.
Quality leather with quality stitching. It will last you so long you get bored of it.
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I usually just buy a leather wallet at some store and it starts to get grungy after a year or so. Any recommendations? Thanks.
For leather, I’ve been a big fan of Popov Leather from BC, Canada. They have the absolute best leather I’ve ever seen. I own a wallet, half a dozen belts, coasters, bags, and more from them and they’re fantastic.
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Well, time to stop using cordura on my projects, lol. There are many fabrics that perform better and weigh less now, anyway.
Let’s hope the Avient corporation (dyneema) and Bainbridge international (challenge sailcloth) are better than Koch (it would be hard to be worse).
Dyneema (by Avient) is the same as Spectra (by Honeywell) btw. Choose your patron megacorporation wisely.
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Dyneema (by Avient) is the same as Spectra (by Honeywell) btw. Choose your patron megacorporation wisely.
I never see fabrics (at least where I shop) being marketed as made with Spectra. I guess you’re never buying straight dyneema, either, but dyneema composite fabric.
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I usually just buy a leather wallet at some store and it starts to get grungy after a year or so. Any recommendations? Thanks.
Late to the party, but I have a Trayvax wallet that will outlive me by a decent margin.
