Cheap vs. Expensive Leather Wallets: Which Is Best for You?

We'll break down the differences between cheap and expensive leather wallets: gentl.mn/cheap-vs-expensive-l...
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VIDEO CREDITS:
→ Scriptwriters: E.J. Daniels & Sven Raphael Schneider
→ Camera: Graham Zima
→ Editing: Graham Zima
→ Visual Supervisors: Jack Collins & Preston Schlueter
IMAGE CREDITS:
→ OLPR
→ Mammalwatcher via Wikipedia
→ Leather Dictionary
→ Svillarreal18 via Wikipedia
→ Allett
→ Mmoraleso via Reddit
→ Danne_swe via Reddit
→ Actually Tired via Reddit
→ Walter Treego via Reddit
→ Popov Leather
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00:00 Cheap & Expensive Leather Wallets Introduction
Is it actually worth it to shell out your hard-earned money on an expensive wallet? Or are you better off getting cheap wallet so you can keep the change inside?
00:15 Defining Cheap vs. Expensive
Price is always relative but for our purpose of defining, cheap is under $50 and expensive is over $250. Obviously, designer wallets can be outliers and they could be low-quality wallets with high-end prices.
Fortunately, the hallmarks of cheap versus expensive wallets will allow you to distinguish genuine quality from brand hype.
Things that distinguish cheap from expensive wallets:
01:44 1. Material Quality
12:15 2. Construction
16:25 3. Durability
17:42 4. Functionality & Design
20:38 5. Style
20:58 6. Product Testing
When you buy a wallet with hallmarks of genuine quality, you have an item that looks great, functions well, and has superior cost-per-wear. When you use an item daily like a wallet and it becomes associated with you, it’s usually worth investing in, and you often get what you pay for.
#leatherwallets #cheapvsexpensive #notsponsored

[@TizBaz5]

I understand some people like luxury items, but I've had the same cheap wallet for like 20 years and I haven't given it a second thought. No one has ever commented on it either. This past year I retired my wallet and put my essential cards into a little rubber pocket on my phone case. I'd like to see you do a luxury version of that! 😆

[@saxboss1]

If you shop some independent leather stores online in Texas/New Mexico you can find high quality genuine leather wallets for 20-30 bucks

[@gentlemansgazette]

Leather that is listed as "genuine leather" is usually the lowest grade of leather - out of interest, do these independent stores offer any information of what grade of leather they use?

[@saxboss1]

@@gentlemansgazette nope it doesn’t say! Good call, I’m sure your stuff is better quality. They’re still fine products that have lasted me a long time. Love your vids thanks for responding!

[@ShotsMerkzAll]

One tip of advice I’d suggest is to check for “Full Grain” leather with vegetable tanning. That’s the best leather money can buy

[@sebastianpenagos3599]

@@gentlemansgazettepasa lo mismo en Colombia, son sitios específicos de la ciudad don trabajan con cuero de buena calidad, a precios muy accesibles y no venden en grandes cantidades, incluso se consiguen botas para equitación. Sus dueños no buscan llenar sus bolsillos y tampoco crecer mucho de forma corporativa por decirlo así.

[@achimschmidtke8404]

I have been receiving the Gentleman's Gazette newsletter for some time now. And I have already been given some valuable advice. But this article on the differences between leather wallets was exceptionally valuable and instructive. Thank you for it!

[@zachschlabach8928]

Great job Raphael. Episodes where you talk about what is quality are some of my favorite.

[@MikeBenko]

About 5 years ago my wife got me a pair of handmade leather cardholder wallets from Colombia from a store her father used to get his wallets and belts from all his life. One tan and one black. I mostly use the tan one. They are brick sturdy, aged great, feel great etc. They cost about 150 bucks the pair.

[@memefeed2147]

Nothing beats a shell cordovan wallet, zippered accordion bi fold is the best, most versatile style, it’s like a pocket purse.

[@kevin-jg5nq]

I have a wallet made from baseball glove leather and baseball stitching. I’ve had it several years and it has held up well.

[@mrchiefbs]

My wallet is custom natural horween shell with red stitching and my name stamped into the leather. It was custom made for me by AwlandLeaf. Smells great and has a patina of a year, with my cards formed into the leather by now. I also have a picture of my significant other stashed inside.

[@memefeed2147]

awlandleaf is great, I have their shell cordovan hand sanitizer holder and I have it attached to my shell cordovan wallet. I went with a GitsiRosdiani shell wallet because I wanted one with a zipper closure and coin purse and they were the only ones who made one.

[@gentlemansgazette]

Nice - from what we've seen, they're MTO (made-to-order) and not bespoke wallets? Also interested to see whether they offer lined wallets, too - as most of theirs look unlined

[@Dee_Just_Dee]

This reminds me, now that my current wallet is really starting to look worn out, I ought to put a new one together. I was recently gifted a bifold liner from a leather craft supplies store. I can take just about any rectangle of leather and sew the liner into it to have a unique and very serviceable wallet without having to be an expert at the craft. I think I'll be using some simple oak tanned tooling leather I have sitting around since the other items I've made with it have aged very nicely.

[@Manuel421]

Thanks for your previous response and no worries I only wear my Linen/Cotton Drawstring slacks during Spring and Summer never during Winter with the exception of my Herringbone pair. I live in AZ so Linen and Cotton are definitely helpful in clothing options. I know it's probably not that favorable within your team but a video review on Express would be quite insightful as I actually do enjoy many garments from them. They're quality is a bit higher than Amazon in all honesty.

[@mcrumph]

I guess I lucked out. In 2000, when I was adopting more stylish attire, I bought a wallet for about 40$. It is what I call a blazer wallet in that it is tall & quite slender. The edges are turned in with radiused corners, a subtle stitching, a very smooth texture, all of the interior (non-backing) is leather as well, though I am not sure what the backing material is, maybe rayon or polyester? It is starting to show its age around the corners, but has taken on a very nice patina, mostly from the oils from me handling it. I think it probably has another decade in it & by then I will probably make my own. P.S. I didn't know about skiving until I started learning about book binding.

[@salemslotandmore8278]

Thank You for the Video 😀

[@markmontes4736]

I personally recommend Open Sea Leather wallets, amazing wallets in Horween, Buttero, and/or Pueblo leather. I personally have three myself. Other leather wallet makers I've heard great things about: Craft and lore & Sincityleather. All unique wallets from each maker and easy to fall into a rabbit hole learning about all the offerings. Happy hunting!

[@gentlemansgazette]

Interesting designs - a little more on the modern side of things with a very minimal aestheic

[@horationelson2153]

I love the wallet I bought from you. Yes, they are pricy - nice things generally are. But they look really nice, feel really nice, and hold together really well. Great Job!

[@gentlemansgazette]

So pleased to hear you're enjoying your Fort Belvedere wallet! Remind us - which one did you go for? 🙂

[@horationelson2153]

@@gentlemansgazette I got the 8-card classic bifold in antique mahogany. It's beautiful. I love how it feels in my hands - just the right amount of stiffness and flexibility.

[@detritiv0re144]

I use a card holder I picked up at Debenhams for £3 over 5 years ago. It's a blue cheap synthetic material yet it still looks and works just fine.

[@gentlemansgazette]

If "just fine" works for you, then that's great 😉

[@marioe6696]

Well worth it to buy a quality well-made leather wallet instead of a poorly made one. Quality is not cheap, but worth the investment.

[@gentlemansgazette]

Couldn't agree more! 🥂

[@KryptonianAI]

I bought my grandfather a $100 Bosca leather wallet as a gift in 1999. He used it till he passed away. It became mine and I still have it. That wallet is over 25 years old now. Simple and understated. Nothing fancy. Still in great shape.

[@jgb0017]

There’s also an environmental component. Water used in tanning has dangerous chemical byproducts. In some places it is left untreated and dumped back into rivers. The EPA has rules regulating the use of wastewater, and several European tanneries have substantial water treatment plants and re-use their water.

[@anonuser4806]

Hey team, do you have any plans on implementing RFID protection in your two tone colored wallets (the burgundy/turquoise) for example?

[@GaudyMarko]

i switched to a minimalist wallet a few years ago that houses a steel multitool and is made of aluminum, some synthetic leather alternative called DTEX and held together with a silcone band that cost me around $110. They even advertise it as durable enough to use as a weapon/glass breaker and its way sleeker than your standard billfold. Its a bit awkward for storing cash but I realized I haven't carried cash on me regularly since I was in high school so I don't think I'll ever switch back to a classic leather wallet

[@prathmeshchourasiya7438]

I am thinking of Dressing up in a suit and tie and pocket square with a watch and then sit in a high end coffee shop or restaurant with a Fountain pen and diary , just to watch a GG video and make notes .

[@BadMotivator66]

I’ve had a super dry wallet for a couple of years now and it’s been absolutely fine. Slight patina on it (I did condition the leather once)- otherwise it’s the same as it was new. I can’t complain at all.

[@andresfurious8302]

Thanks honestly I’m considering getting one for my grandfather for Father’s Day he always buys 50-60 dollar ones and look great but after a year or 2 look awful he got me one and it looks awful after so long

[@rivalifritdarc2481]

Bought a $15 wallet a long time ago at highschool. No brand name, Crazy Horse leather with dedicated card slots and folded edges. Still doing great years later if not even better.

[@hanwenyap]

As a leather crafter, the part on the edges are just misleading. Saying that edge painting is a hallmark of cheap wallets is just wrong, because cheap wallets use cheap edge paints. I've seen plenty of high end ateliers (both luxury and private) use edge paints that last for decades. Burnishing truth be told is much easier than edge paint. Edge painting requires a lot of time and skill to master, while burnishing takes less time and resources. Burnishing too can't be used for all leathers too, especially chrome. Most chromes can't be burnished, or at least burnished to a good edge. Chromes are typically edge painted, and there's no issue with this method. Burnishing is typically done for veg tans. I'm rather curious what it means by stitching done in a straightforward way. Hand saddle stitching and machine stitching can be straightforward, and hand stitching is clearly the superior construction method

[@EAGLESfan317]

Raphael, off topic but wear do you get your pleated trousers?

[@brandong2040]

There are a large number of high-quality wallets made by small US companies. These are made of top shelf leather. I highly recommend people research local companies for leather wallets.

[@GallantKnight98]

Bellroys for 100 are really good. Have had the hide away green leather for a year and it's held up really well.

[@protoman2260]

Walletpedia has a good show of nice quality wallets ranging from all prices. I have wallets from Allett, Loyal Stricklin, Corville Leather amongst others.

[@tiagobrandao6588]

Really nice advertisement for your product

[@gentlemansgazette]

Thank you! We're proud of the things we make, and happily use them to demonstrate the difference with what else is out there

[@vic2_o]

I got a simple rugged vegtan leather wallet that'll probably last my whole life, and only cost me around $130, but I am interested in getting one of these more expensive slim wallets because while I do love my wallet, it's definitely not the most comfortable when I'm sitting down for long periods of time.

[@gentlemansgazette]

For sure - many of the GG team use a combination slim card holder and larger wallet for this very reason!

[@Korean_Jesus]

Which would you prefer, coach vs Bosco leather?

[@inaz1963]

I have been carrying an el cheapo Amity brand leather wallet for 34 years now. I have three more of the same brand waiting in a drawer for this one to finally 'buy the farm', but it hasn't happened yet. Or perhaps i'm just too stubborn and set in my ways to make the switch.

[@drip369]

I got into front pocket wallets years ago and I've had this trigger wallet for maybe 4 years now and it was the first knock-off from the original so I saved about 40% before all of this extra inflation

[@ElPedicabAvenger]

My son just bought a pair of Birkenstocks, and they are pretty seeming like not the best leather. However, knowing that you don't like sandals, I wonder if you all would ever do a video on "is it worth it: Birkenstocks"?

[@VoxofReason]

Bought a very nice wallet made from shell cordovan a few weeks ago. Quite expensive but expect it to last a lifetime. :)

[@gentlemansgazette]

Nice! What details does your Cordovan wallet have?

[@VoxofReason]

@@gentlemansgazette It's a classical bifold, 4 card slots on one side, coin pocket on the other side (absolutely needed here in Germany), and two more departments behind those. Only a single stich line on the outside. Incredible craftsmanship.

[@donpalomon]

Hola caballeros, ¿dónde puedo encontrarlo la función para cambiar el idioma del vídeo a español? ¿Ya se encuentra disponible dicha función?

[@caveat2002]

In my personal opinion and according to what i own the best wallets are Montblanc and Bally

[@gentlemansgazette]

Care to share more about what it is you like about them?

[@mithamitha8457]

I once made a shrink leather case for my rediculously cheap cell phone. It Lacks craftman ship but apart from a faint aura of age it looks like the first day all that many years ago. I wonder If I will find a wallet from that leather.

[@teekue]

Nice jacket, Raphael. Is that a fox cloth?

[@teekue]

Btw, I am kind of disappointed you did not mention saddle stitching. But I guess that is because Fort Belvedere Wallets are machine stitched and not (clearly objectively superior) saddle stitched.

[@teekue]

And as I've said before: ID windows have their uses. If you have to show your identification often it is very useful. If you have to tap in/out often it is very useful etc pp

[@LXRY]

Another great presentation from king Raphael

[@TheRealE.B.]

My wallet appears to be made of cheap leather, but the construction seems okay. I need to replace it, but it lasted a good 5 years or so of hard use.

[@iamsergiocastro]

Got a Polo x Whitehouse Cox Forrest green leather wallet && I absolutely love every detail from the stitching to the way they vegetable tanned the wallet

[@theaccountant666]

Even expensive small leather good can be of low quality if you hardly have any leather on them. Most are made of lining material, complicated stich lines etc. You pay mostly for the brand name! Owned LV, Montblanc, Burberry... All were meh.

[@gentlemansgazette]

That's been our experience for the most part, too

[@The_hermit_unboxes]

There is truth about leather goods from India being bad comparatively but on the contrary most British brands like Loake, Grenson, Herring, etc make their leather shoes in India and depending on certain criteria of how much of the work has been done in the country it is either branded as “Made in Britain” or “Made in India”. Native Indian brands usually produce lower quality products because of the market and the standard of living of the population . Although some brands are pretty good these days despite being inexpensive. I have several Ted Baker wallets which is made of Bovine leather and my recent purchase from a decent Indian brand is comparable. But definitely, there are no brands making products with “high quality” full grain or top grain leather as well as with high quality craftsmanship. Like I said, there is no market for them. By the time it reaches that level it reaches the price point of British or American brands like Wolverine, Alden, Red Wing or Thursdays. Right now there is just one brand that I personally know of which is made in India and the difference comes from the lack of import fees that makes it more accessible.

[@azy63]

My general rule of thumb is: If you use it daily, spend the money. This works for most of my purchases.

[@gentlemansgazette]

A great mindset to have!

[@prathmeshchourasiya7438]

Need a video on what to wear at religious places Particularly churches &temples

[@urbandaniel100]

archibald london has the best leather wallets at an incredible price. its butter!

[@jackgreen3862]

At this point i would like to know if a mont blanc wallet is worth its price or if you just pay the name.

[@voodjin]

I bought a cheap Wallet in Germany 15 years ago, it was like 20€ or something and it's basically indestructible.. I still have it and still use it on the daily basis.. to be honest, I don't even know if its real leather or not but I guess it is since otherwise it would probably have fell apart already..

[@frankv7068]

I learned the hard way, I kept on buying cheap $3 dollar wallets, they tear and the plastic used to look disgusting. I noticed I had to replace it every 6 months to a year, and really decided to buy a quality leather when I was embarrassed by a woman, then I bought a $20 dollar Timberland wallet and it lasted me 3 years, then I got an LV wallet to this day reaching 10 years still looks brand new.

[@Antenox]

Would've been hilarious if this video was sponsored by Ridge

[@stan5513]

My ancient wallet must have been ten bucks. Looks better than new after 25 years. No one has ever been asked to admire it, but it will probably be my last.

[@user-mb1vh5fr8c]

Leather is no longer the way to go. I have had my Carrhart canvas wallet for a decade and it has held up like a charm.

[@gentlemansgazette]

If it works for you, that's great!

[@subhasish-m]

Country of origin is not everything. There are great tanneries in Mexico and India and there are subpar tanneries in Italy and France. Beyond that, the tannage and type of the leather is also very important. It's disingenuous to claim otherwise.

[@gentlemansgazette]

Absolutely, it's why we made a dedicated video: www.gentlemansgazette.com/do-countries-origin-matter/?

[@darkskyleather]

Veg Tanned, Full grain, hand stitched is the way to go unless you want some Cordovan in there🤌🏻 Buy once, cry once. Youre paying for something that will last decades. Even outlast you with proper care and maintenance if needed. Youre paying for somebodies time and effort to make something you will use every single day. "its too expensive", are from those that dont understand the journey that leather went through to get into your hands. I never want a customer to have to come back when they buy something, unless they want to buy a gift. At the end of the day though, pay for what meets your needs. Great video!

[@lamebubblesflysohigh]

RFID blocking cost about 10 cents to do.. it is literally just aluminium foil

[@mr_semmel8359]

Please make an episode about fair isle sweaters

[@piccalillipit9211]

I LOVE Fair Isle Sweaters

[@gentlemansgazette]

Here's our guide to all things sweatter-related! www.gentlemansgazette.com/the-sweater-guide/?

[@mrchiefbs]

I prefer to purchase from leather makers themselves and cut out the middle man. They don't skimp on quality and they make it by hand. All of my leather slips for my slip joint knives are handmade Shell cordovan at the very least. They will last a lifetime. It supports independent American leather makers and keeps this old art alive.

[@pepleatherlab3872]

💯

[@gentlemansgazette]

Out of interest, when you say leather makers do you mean the tannery or a leather craftsperson?

[@mrchiefbs]

⁠@@gentlemansgazetteI should have been more specific! Both

[@Ruebenkopf]

As a European, I need a coin pocket, so the Fold Belvedere wallet is not for me. By the way - don't you get coins in the US for return when you pay with a note?

[@gentlemansgazette]

With the move toward a more cashless society, a lot of people pay with a no cash option. When cash is used, the coins are of such a small value in comparison to other countries that many people may opt to simply leave the change. Just my 2 Cents, though! 😉

[@joananoyoutube]

Gave my boyfriend the classic bifold Tom Ford wallet, at the time it costed my a littler over $500 and it still looks new 3 years later. Going designer means you pay more but there are many alternatives that are 100% leather. He cant go back, its worth the investment

[@gentlemansgazette]

Glad to hear it's working out! A rarity in the high-end designer wallets - many we tested were high priced but low quality

[@Diegof_M]

¿Y como lo escucho en español?

[@anthonybancheri5524]

I absolutely love my fort belvedere slim wallet!

[@gentlemansgazette]

Very pleased to hear it! 🙌

[@grabtharandhishammer8251]

i buy the leather and make my own, and then sell them to discerning people of taste.

[@lmXela]

I have made a wallet before and it has no lining

[@rikky383]

I usually pay about ten bucks for my wallets and they work just as well as a $500 wallet. You guys are a bunch of suckers

[@nocap-ks9ky]

I would recommended a BALLY wallet "great quality"

[@chocothemagnificent1019]

Thick cow hide leather will last even if it's not finished as well as others.

[@gentlemansgazette]

Which part of the hide are you referring to?

[@ProxyBuks]

Cheap leather is a sign of a Peasant! 😅

[@gentlemansgazette]

😅

[@markmartin1835]

Every man should own a rfid wallet stay vigilant my friends

[@camojoe83]

Cash doesn't leave electronic signals.

[@markmartin1835]

@@camojoe83 true

[@rubenadrianhernandezescoba7663]

Raphael mi patron

[@farhaddad]

What happened to your suit here? BTW, This camera lens made your head look big compared to your body! Use a longer focal length.

[@coolhatul]

Early

[@talavb9301]

Should correct your video title lol

[@gentlemansgazette]

Good spot! Thanks for your astute eye!

[@srivathsansudarsanan3372]

Hello Raphael. I am an Indian. I thought to make something clear. We do have high quality leather but it is generally not exported. The leather you are talking about is factory made leather. I've seen leather craftsmen hand crafting leather goods with extremely high quality leather.

[@gentlemansgazette]

Thanks for explaining! I suppose, if the high quality leather is generally not exported, then the rest of the world will typically only see the lesser quality factory made leather

[@Clowndius]

Well, so you keep the good stuff for yourselves and send the cheap garbage everywhere else, yeah sounds about indian.

[@teenoso4069]

Beware of young Rafael down talking perfectly good wallets trying to flog his own. This is the definition of Machiavellian. A £20-30 leather wallet will be fine for years if cared for like any product. Dont fall for an ID enhancer

[@gentlemansgazette]

We'd love to hear about the £20-30 wallets that have lasted you a lifetime thus far?

[@purple_breto]

This video does feel like an excuse to just advertise Fort Belvedere wallets. I understand that it's a business, but it would have been more respectable if they just titled the video something like "Why You Should Buy A Fort Belvedere Wallet." At least then we would know exactly what we were getting into from the start.

[@maz5079]

You sell cheap wallets at expensive prices

[@gentlemansgazette]

Care to explain more? You've bought our wallets and used them for many years, right?

[@maz5079]

@@gentlemansgazette yes, looking at the quality. Machine stitched, rolled edges. Thin leather. Cries of subpar. Stop trying to hustle people into buying your “quality” wallets. I only buy handmade, and hand stitched wallets with leather from tanneries that are well known and revered.

[@maz5079]

@@gentlemansgazette I don’t buy trash

[@yizzymx]

Mf saying mexican leather is bad 😂 you have never been here huh?

[@ahwhite1398]

He sure avoided any substantive discussion there, just went on to types of cheap leather that come out anywhere leather is produced.

[@gentlemansgazette]

Which Mexican tanneries do you recommend? 🙂

[@camojoe83]

300 dollars for a 50 dollar wallet is a bit much. Go ahead. Type that response. I'll wait. I've been sewing leather goods for about 20 years. Go ahead and tell me about it.

[@gentlemansgazette]

If that's the price you charge, great! We'd love to see your work - any links to the product you make?

[@camojoe83]

@@gentlemansgazette I'm local sales, in person. I'm up to my eyes on holster molding right now, it's been a while since I've worked thin goods like wallets in numbers. What's funny is, I think your gloves are a great deal, even the bushpig skins at that premium. I think gloves are way harder to do than wallets to get right and to get them consistent is even harder. Wallets are just a stack of stencils, usually.

[@MCR0709]

If European countries setup their factories in China/ India still quality would be average!?!!!!!!?