The Wallet Thread

nightawl

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Hi everyone, wanted to share some of my newer bifold wallet builds. Previously I could never get my wallets to be as thin as those found in departmental store, but I sourced some thinner leather and improved my skiving skills to be able to get the leather thin enough. Here are some of the wallets I've made since then that are thin yet still feel pretty durable.

First up is a standard bifold wallet with 6 card slots, 2 hidden slots and 1 bills slot. Made with Whiskey Buttero leather for the exterior, and goat skin for the interior. The card slots are folded over too.

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Next up is a simple card holder bifold, made for a friend who wanted one that's like what Chestermox offers. Same leather used as above. Card slots are also folded over, although this was trickier with the curved pockets.

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Finally, a new bifold design. 6 card slots, 1 bill slot that is very easily accessible. I love this new design a ton, and will be using this wallet as my EDC. Made from the same Whiskey Buttero, but with natural veg tan interior.

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I'm really happy with the design/thickness/feel of my bifold wallets, and will be open for any custom orders if anyone is interested. I hope to make the wallets out of shell cordovan and crocodile leather next, and still keeping the thickness minimal. If you like what you see, can follow me on Instagram. Thanks for looking!
 

invisible.hippo

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My leather wallet starts to have this weird patches appearing. What are they and how can i remove them and restore the leather?

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lucied

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My leather wallet starts to have this weird patches appearing. What are they and how can i remove them and restore the leather?

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Thats called "do not sit on your wallet" abrasion.

Unlike skin, leather will not heal its own wounds.

Best way to restore it is to buy another wallet of the same model.
 

invisible.hippo

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Thats called "do not sit on your wallet" abrasion.

Unlike skin, leather will not heal its own wounds.

Best way to restore it is to buy another wallet of the same model.

I never once sit on my wallet leh. I always hold it by my hand every where i go. Never even once put it in my pocket.
 

invisible.hippo

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Or maybe it's a low quality leather? By time just age badly (compared to high quality leather which will age nicely with patina).

Maybe, can anyone recommend me a slim wallet. Using this for 5 years already
https://bellroy.com/products/hide-and-seek-wallet/leather_rfid_lo/caramel#gallery_image_6

No particular budget. Am considering prada, but feel prada quite thick after inserting 10 cards, 2 keys and coins, compared to the current wallet. Going to take a look at porter.
 

Shiro MS08th

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Maybe, can anyone recommend me a slim wallet. Using this for 5 years already
https://bellroy.com/products/hide-and-seek-wallet/leather_rfid_lo/caramel#gallery_image_6

No particular budget. Am considering prada, but feel prada quite thick after inserting 10 cards, 2 keys and coins, compared to the current wallet. Going to take a look at porter.

Bellroy isn't really known for their leather quality.

If you don't go for designer brands, you can take a look at Chestermox and Guarded Goods.

I personally have a Chestermox bifold, using Barenia leather, which is one of the leather that Hermes uses for their bags.
 

nightawl

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Bellroy isn't really known for their leather quality.

If you don't go for designer brands, you can take a look at Chestermox and Guarded Goods.

I personally have a Chestermox bifold, using Barenia leather, which is one of the leather that Hermes uses for their bags.

Agreed. Bellroy has good designs, but the leather quality isn't the best. They do have their Designer Edition line which uses better leather, but of course the price is higher for those. You get what you pay for in the end. IMO when you are buying a designer brand, you are also paying for the brand and not so much the quality. People think of brand as a proxy for quality, but not so much for most big brands.

Handmade stuff are (almost) always of a better quality, and there is no lack of crafters out there that can make high quality wallets for the same price as those branded ones. Ironically, as these crafters get more famous and think of going full time or scaling up, inevitably they sacrifice their quality for mass production, and eventually become similar to a designer brand wallet.

For now, if you want to support local, can check out thewysden, hei.crafted, 74watchstraps, hide_sg, crimsonhides. That's off the top of my head, I'm sure there are many more hobbyist crafters out there in SG, but these are the guys I look to when I want to benchmark my work ;)

But I do admit, one problem with hand made wallets is that they tend to be pretty thick compared to those in departmental store. Partly because these wallets are fully made of leather (as compared to the store bought ones - if you look between the card slots its often made with synthetic materials), but also because it is difficult to procure leather that is thin enough and skiving (thinning out) leather by hand without a machine is incredibly time consuming.

In terms of leather quality, apart from Barenia, Buttero and Chevre are also popular choices (Buttero for its beautiful patina, Chevre for its durability/texture). Shell cordovan is a great choice for wallets, but very pricey because it comes from horse butt. Singapore also has access to some pretty good crocodile tanneries (I believe Hermes bought over one of those tannery), so exotic leather is also readily available (but also incredibly expensive). But again, what you pay is what you get. Don't get offended when you hear the prices of such wallets - hear how each wallet is made and how much the raw material costs too!
 
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whottt

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Hi can help me recommend a wallet like this,

https://leffot.com/shop/index.php/accessories/wallets/billfold-large.html

Something that is only used for storing notes, ultra-minimal and slim and prefably good quality leather.
 

Henabi

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My leather wallet starts to have this weird patches appearing. What are they and how can i remove them and restore the leather?

2z906s6.jpg
[/IMG]

constant exposure to water and humidity can cause such issues to leather goods over time.

restoring may cost way more than the amount you paid for this wallet. so i agree to get a new wallet instead as well.

There are other good mens wallet brands at affordable prices:
- Picard
- Braun Buffel
- Goldlion

take a stroll inside Taka. there are plenty of mens wallets for you to choose from.

As you go around physically trying out the wallets, Trust what your senses tell you.
 

indigo22

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For now, if you want to support local, can check out thewysden, hei.crafted, 74watchstraps, hide_sg, crimsonhides. That's off the top of my head, I'm sure there are many more hobbyist crafters out there in SG, but these are the guys I look to when I want to benchmark my work ;)

Thanks for sharing...

unfortunately one of these IG accounts must have linked their account to some marketing bots because right after i added all of them, lots of similar IG groups started to follow my IG :s13:

anyway, pls dont take me wrong, i rly meant it when i thank u for sharing de...i like to support local business hehe...
 

nightawl

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Thanks for sharing...

unfortunately one of these IG accounts must have linked their account to some marketing bots because right after i added all of them, lots of similar IG groups started to follow my IG :s13:

anyway, pls dont take me wrong, i rly meant it when i thank u for sharing de...i like to support local business hehe...

Haha I won't be surprised if that happens...Ever since IG got bought by Facebook with a focus towards businesses and advertisement, these sorts of thing is bound to happen where people chase followers to appear famous.
 

nightawl

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Most impt is slim wallet that im looking for. Thanks for the advice.

At a risk of self-advertisement, I try to keep my wallets thin because I also don't like thick wallets even if they are full leather. I recently sold one of these wallets, designed it to keep the wallet slim and possibly carry in your front pocket. I have a few more photos on my Instagram page.

Mods please let me know if this is not appropriate and I will remove it.
 

peaceheart

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Got my Paul Smith wallet for $200 in 2013 during Xmas sale, still in good shape. Some may say it's a gay brand but I don't really care about that.
 

invisible.hippo

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At a risk of self-advertisement, I try to keep my wallets thin because I also don't like thick wallets even if they are full leather. I recently sold one of these wallets, designed it to keep the wallet slim and possibly carry in your front pocket. I have a few more photos on my Instagram page.

Mods please let me know if this is not appropriate and I will remove it.

no coin pouch :(
 
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