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Heavy/thick leather wallets. Who makes them?

Aaronlowe

One of the Regulars
Messages
134
Location
SoCal
I'd like to find a wallet where the marketing words "supple" or "buttery soft" are not used. I want something that will take 2 years to break in and I can keep until they bury me with it, many many years from now (god willing).

I've seen a lot of truckers and biker wallets made from thick hide, but not in a bifold or trifold wallet.

Anyone know of a maker of such an animal?
 

MB5

One of the Regulars
Messages
205
Location
Oregon
Tandy has several kits if you want to assemble it yourself.
http://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/...tionpath=3&processor=content&p_keyword=wallet

Here are some posts from members about wallets.
http://www.thefedoralounge.com/show...t-you-ve-made!&p=992739&viewfull=1#post992739
http://www.thefedoralounge.com/show...let-after-4-months-of-everyday-wear&highlight

Alternatively, someone asked a similar question over at leatherworker.net and got several replies from wallet makers.
http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=28507
 

Edward

Bartender
Messages
24,789
Location
London, UK
I'd like to find a wallet where the marketing words "supple" or "buttery soft" are not used. I want something that will take 2 years to break in and I can keep until they bury me with it, many many years from now (god willing).

Oh, I hear you there. Same with leather jackets - I stop reading as soon as the ad uses those terms.

www.saddlebackleather.com

You won't believe it, if a good stiff leather wallet is what you want.

They look like outstanding stuff - I would have one of their wallets already myself, but for the shipping turning out to be disproportionately expensive (not their fault).
 

Rambler

New in Town
Messages
12
Location
Connecticut
I think anything in bridle hide should do. Filson, Swaine Adeney Brigg, and Tanner Goods probably have some of the best offerings.
 

Inusuit

A-List Customer
Messages
356
Location
Wyoming
I second the Filson all-leather packer wallet. I've carried one for about 15 years. Stitching wore out on the first one after about 7 years. Filson replaced it, no questions asked. The second is still going strong.
 

Dav

One Too Many
Messages
1,706
Location
Somerset, England
They look like outstanding stuff - I would have one of their wallets already myself, but for the shipping turning out to be disproportionately expensive (not their fault).
I've just ordered a saddlebackleather medium bi-fold wallet, if you contact them they will reduce the shipping from $38.50 down to $15 to the UK, much more reasonable. Can't wait for it to arrive.
 

Edward

Bartender
Messages
24,789
Location
London, UK
I've just ordered a saddlebackleather medium bi-fold wallet, if you contact them they will reduce the shipping from $38.50 down to $15 to the UK, much more reasonable. Can't wait for it to arrive.

I'll be interested to hear your impressions of it. That's worth knowing, re postage.... In the end, this time round I actually adapted one of the wallets I already had (I removed the excess panels, as I don't carry eleventy-billion bank cards and hand-stitched up the seam again). I'm covered at the minute for a black and a brown wallet. Tempted by the Saddleback in Burgundy. Maybe when funds are less tight.... and I've gotten sufficiently organised to actually switch wallets with other leather gear (matching shoes, belts and wallet - a bit CDO, I know).
 

dwebber18

One of the Regulars
Messages
216
Location
Hoboken
I think Saddleback has some really nice looking stuff. I've been trying to justify one of their thin briefcases but I can't do it because I don't need a bag. However, if my Coach wallet ever gives out I'm going to get a Saddleback wallet.
 

Dav

One Too Many
Messages
1,706
Location
Somerset, England
The Saddlebackleather bi-fold wallet I ordered arrived this morning, it looks to be well made,stiff and substantial so should last a long time. I went for the Tobacco brown colour as it will hopefully develop a nice patina as it ages. Here's some pictures, hope you like it.
S1052767.jpg

S1052769.jpg

S1052772.jpg

S1052780.jpg

S1052781.jpg
 

Edward

Bartender
Messages
24,789
Location
London, UK
Good looking wallet, Dav. I hunted this thread up because I finally picked up some wallets. The two non-descript bifolds I had still are serviceable enough, but seems to keep attracting endless bulk.... plus they're bulky in a trouser pocket, and too big for the breast pocket of my Highwayman (which is getting a lot of wear currently). I've had for some years now a little money-clip wallet with space for a couple of cards that I bought on holiday in Beijing when I needed a cheap wallet for carrying out there (switching currencies around between wallets is a pain; I'm out there four times a year or so, so it seemed like a good idea...). Recently I decided to pick up a Saddleback ID wallet for my Oystercard and work ID(smartcard for London Transport system - I like to keep that separate from my other cards and cash), and owing to the very generous deal Saddleback did me on postage when I contacted them, I picked up two. The second is currently on trial as a daily wallet to see if I can deal with downsizzing. Shock the first day, but already I'm beginning to feel that I can do just fine with this. I can only see it being a problem if I started carrying a crazy amount of paper cash, which isn't likely.

FWIW, I also picked up one of these in Burgundy:

13622051772361125797555.jpeg


Mitchell Leathers money-clip wallet in Horween Chromexel... a dead ringer for my Aero Cordovan Bootlegger...

http://shop.mitchell-leather.com/Money-Clip-Wallets_c6.htm

More expensive than the Saddleback by some ways, but I did want one in that colour too. This is likely to hold a lot more cash (if ever I have it!) than the Saddleback seems able at present, though that said the Saddleback is still very stiff and new. In its distinct favour, the 'leather and thread only' nature of its construction makes it almost entirely idiot proof (only not entirely because it can't stop me leaving it sitting somewhere...). So far, I'm enjoying minimalist wallet usage... we'll see if it sticks! Either way, can't say enough good things about the quality of either company's product. I'm already looking at some other Saddleback bits for Christmas presents for family, and I have an eye for myself on their passport cover with the RFID shield....
 

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