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Thursday, February 14, 2008

Selecting Quality Leather Wallets

By Craig Walenta

You've probably noticed the overall lack of quality in the leather wallets offered by designer brands like Polo, Coach, Kenneth Cole, etc. Its amazing that these once venerable brands continue to produce cheaply made wallets at OEM factories that simply stamp their logos on the wallets. In turn, they retail the wallets for $100 which wound up costing them no more than a dollar!

While browsing around for leather wallets, please make sure to pick up on subtle quality cues.

1. The stitching. While it may seem obvious, the more stitches per inch, the higher the quality of the wallet. While manufacturing leather items, quality manufacturers do not skimp on the cost of needles. Most people wouldn't think that needles would be a significant cost, but remember that leather is a fairly thick material that wears out needles very quickly. If a manufacturer spreads out the stitching interval, it can save thousands of dollars. If you look at this bifold wallet here, you will note that it carries an amazing 11 stiches per inch. This overall level of quality in a leather item is virtually unheard of today. 2. The leather. While it may seem obvious to choose a quality piece of leather, many people are not experts in leather and while shopping are not fully aware of what actually constitutes a nice piece of leather. Simply put you should be looking for a leather wallet that is manufactured using full-grain leather. If you look at these leather wallets you will note the quality full-grain leather utilized. 3. The functionality. Again, while this may seem obvious, take an overall look at the wallet. Does the wallet have a split currency compartment? If so, that is an indicia of quality. Moreover, will it be able to accommodate the various credit cards, driver's licenses and bus tickets that you need to carry on a daily basis? 4. The interior lining. I cannot stress enough that you should also take a serious look at the interior lining of the wallet. While this may not tell you all that you need to know about the overall quality of the wallet, I can say this: if a signature interior lining is present, the more likely the wallet is of a quality construction. Why? Simply put because cheaply made wallets don't waste the time and resources to produce a signature lining, it just isn't worthwhile. 5. Country of Origin. While quality wallets can be produced virtually anywhere, if you see that a wallet is manufactured in what would otherwise be considered a 'high-wage' or 'first-world' country, this is a sign that you are purchasing a quality manufactured product. Why? Simply put, if an item of this nature is continued to be produced in a first-world country, it is because it is a high quality product, by definition. Low-Cost producers of leather wallets have simply shut down all low to moderate priced manufacturers in the first world. If you see that a leather wallet is Made in the USA or Made in Italy, this is a clear indication that this manufacturer must be making the best of the best because quality is the only area that first-world manufacturers can continue to differentiate themselves.

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