Comments on: Weekend DIY Project: How to Make a Leather Wallet

By: John David Whitfield Andrade

John David Whitfield Andrade — Sun, 06 Mar 2011 02:10:14 +0000

Excellent project. One of–if not “the”–greatest manly art is the ability to make or repair what you need. Of the countless invaluable gifts my step-father gave me from an early age was the confidence and tenacity to attempt and figure out how to perform my own repairs…work on the house, car, yard, whatever, we did it ourselves. Not only has this saved me tens of thousands of dollars, it gave me the confidence to create my own goods for myself. I craft leather goods, build wooden furniture, can sew my own clothes, repair my own shoes, remodel my home–you name it, I’ll try to do it myself. My wife lists this as one of the primary attractions she felt/feels toward me…nothing, she says, is hotter than a competent man. (I say nothing hotter than a woman who thinks I’m hot!) I’d say that rare is the gift more valuable than teaching our children to do for themselves.

By: Martin

Martin — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 03:58:56 +0000

In real life, men are known and respected as much for what they choose NOT to say as for what they do. Discretion and courtesy are valued, or at least should be. On the internet, everyone feels the need to state their opinion, regardless of how rude, crass or unimportant.

Don’t want to make your own wallet? Then don’t. Want to make one but don’t like the look of this one? Make yours different. I can’t understand the need for so many people to point out that they can do better, have done better, could do better if they tried.

In my opinion, learning how to do something is valuable in and of itself, regardless of how aesthetically pleasing your first efforts turn out be. Guaranteed that you will learn more in failing at trying something like this then just talking about it.

I enjoyed the article. Can’t say the same for much of the dialogue.

By: Cold Summer

Cold Summer — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 03:56:20 +0000

I got a handmade lefty mid-length wallet from Hollows Leather and I absolutely love it. Guys like Hollows and Corter make terrific leather products that are made 100% by hand, by one guy, right here in the US. They’re a much better value than high-end Japanese stuff like Red Moon this is undoubtedly very nice, but way too expensive. And leagues better than cheap, off the shelf stuff.

By: Jason

Jason — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 02:42:44 +0000

You know I was really wondering how to make a leather cover for a phone. Any suggestions?

By: Michael Moore

Michael Moore — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 02:22:20 +0000

Oops, I forgot to say that I do like how the wallet turned out and nice job. Folding wallets just aren’t for me.

By: Michael Moore

Michael Moore — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 02:18:44 +0000

This wallet isn’t my style, but I definitely agree with making your own. I made my previous two wallets and will be making my next one too. My wife bought me one for Valentines day, so it seems I’m stuck with a store bought one for the next little bit.

I have been a front-pocket wallet guy forever, and I can’t find a nice leather wallet that fits nicely. Yeah the one my wife got was probably $20 and yeah I don’t really have the time to make a new one at the moment, but it’s uncomfortable. It’s a nice looking wallet, but the leather comes to hard points at the corners the leather isn’t soft at all. Plus there are two metal rivets that poke my leg, just to hold on a brand-name tag.

My homemade buckskin wallets were softer, just the right size and looked just as nice.

By: Walko Ken OBrien

Walko Ken OBrien — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 01:53:43 +0000

To all the people who want to spend twenty bucks on your wallet,

Theres a little thing few of us like to call creativeness,shorten that and you get creativity,shorten THAT and you get,ahem,CREATE.Like Spencer said,”we were created to create”.I like the idea of that,but I cannot make the awesome wallet right now.

By: Bryan Schatz

Bryan Schatz — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 23:25:53 +0000

There have been some interesting comments here. To those who prefer the “up-town” look and still interested in something like this, keep in mind that there a few very simple things you can do to make a wallet look less crude like the one I did. As Steve and others recommended, lacing slits can make the stitching look cleaner, other types of leather (not necessarily more expensive) can also make for a different aesthetic. Simple things like using less contrasting colors can make a huge difference as well. Personally, I’ve always liked the “crude” look, just my thing, I guess. But a similar project can create wallets of vastly differing aesthetics. Cheers all.

By: Anna

Anna — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 22:32:10 +0000

One thing about every wallet or change purse I’ve ever owned is that it is never quite right (pocket size, etc.). I like the idea of making something to my own specifications.

By: Marcus

Marcus — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 16:04:00 +0000

@Jael

If I may quote Oscar Wilde on this matter, “a cynic is a man who knows the price of everything and the value of nothing”.There comes a sense of pride from creating something with your own two hands, but what pride comes from being a bargain shopper and finding a the cheapest good possible? There used to be a point in time when Americans were makers and the world around us was made by us. This article is a great reminder of the “maker spirit”