Heavy/thick leather wallets. Who makes them?

[Aaronlowe]

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]

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

 

[TJC]

www.saddlebackleather.com

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

 

[DougC]

TJC---thanks for the link...I think I just found my new briefcase.

 

[Bruce Wayne]

I have the Filson all leather Packer wallet. I bought it back in April of last year with my tax refund. So far the only wear that it has is some creasing in one corner & some ligth scuffs.

 

[Tomasso]

Here's a sturdy wallet made from shell cordovan. Good price, too.

 

[TJC]

TJC---thanks for the link...I think I just found my new briefcase.

You're quite welcome brother!

 

[Edward]

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]

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

 

[AtomicEraTom]

I've been carrying the same biker wallet since I was 12 years old and the thing's still like new.

 

[Inusuit]

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]

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]

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]

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.

 

[Aether]

You could also try http://www.ravenhollowleather.com/
I've got one of their Biker wallets and I love it. It's well made and durable, the service was very good and the price is more than reasonable.

 

[SteveAS]

Here's a sturdy wallet made from shell cordovan. Good price, too.

I have that wallet. It's not heavy/thick, but, being shell cordovan, it wears like iron.

 

[Dav]

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.

 

[nicholasb]

Very nice. Looks like great quality. Cannot argue with that - very tempting.

 

[Edward]

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:

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....

 

[Feraud]

Very nice looking wallets Edward!
This company has quality items-
http://shop.corterleather.com/