Why my wallets cost more?
No shortcuts. No mass production. Just honest materials, hand craftsmanship and time.
My wallets are not cheap. You can buy a wallet in a large store for several times less — and that’s perfectly fine. But the difference in price is not accidental. It comes down to four things: the material, the craftsmanship, the tanning process, and the way I choose to work.
The Material: Full-Grain Leather
I use full-grain leather — the highest grade of natural leather available. It comes from the outermost layer of the hide, where the fibres are the strongest and most durable. This leather is not sanded, corrected or disguised with embossing. It remains honest and natural.
Most mass-produced wallets labelled “genuine leather” are made from low-quality leather. Often, this is reconstituted leather — a mix of leather dust, glue and binders pressed onto fabric or plastic. It is legally called leather, but in reality it is a compromise material designed for a short lifespan.
Full-grain leather behaves differently. It breathes, evolves over time, develops a natural patina and becomes better with age. It is not designed to stay new — it is designed to last.
Handcrafted: From Start to Finish
I make every wallet myself, by hand, from the first cut of leather to the final stitch. This is not a factory or a production line. It is a hobby I pursue in the United Kingdom because I value quality and the process itself.
One of the most important factors in how long a wallet lasts is the stitching. I use hand saddle stitching — the strongest stitching method in leathercraft. Each stitch is independent, so even if one thread were ever damaged, the seam would not unravel.
I stitch using thick braided thread. This type of hand stitching withstands years of daily use, bending and stress. Cheap wallets are almost always machine-stitched — it is faster, but those seams are usually the first to fail, especially at corners and fold lines. That is why many mass-produced wallets fall apart long before the leather itself wears out.
Tanning: Why It Matters
Most inexpensive leather is chrome-tanned. This is a fast and cheap chemical process. Chrome-tanned leather feels soft at first, but it tends to lose structure more quickly, ages poorly and wears out faster. It is also considered environmentally problematic due to the chemicals involved.
I work exclusively with vegetable-tanned leather. This is a slower and more traditional process that uses natural tannins derived from bark, leaves and plant extracts. The result is leather that is firmer, stronger and designed to evolve rather than deteriorate.
Vegetable-tanned leather darkens over time, develops patina and records the marks of use. This is how leather gains character — and how a functional object becomes something personal.
Production: A Personal, Intentional Approach
I work in the United Kingdom and make wallets as a personal project, not as mass production. This is a hobby that I choose to invest my time and attention in, outside of a standard manufacturing model. Because of that, I am not driven by volume, speed or cost optimisation.
I make wallets because I genuinely enjoy the process. From selecting the leather to cutting, stitching and finishing the edges, every step is done slowly and deliberately. I take the time to get details right, even when they are invisible to most people, because I know they matter in the long run.
When you buy one of my wallets, you are not buying a product from a system. You are buying something made with care, intention and genuine enjoyment of the craft — an object shaped by time, patience and attention, not by shortcuts.
I choose leather that lasts for decades.
I stitch by hand using the strongest saddle stitch.
I use vegetable tanning instead of fast chemical shortcuts.
I make each wallet myself, at my own pace, without compromise.
If you are looking for a wallet “for a couple of seasons”, there are cheaper options.
If you want something that will age beautifully, serve you for years and become part of your everyday life — you may have just found it.
This is how objects are made to last.