Making a Zip-Around Long Wallet Leather Craft Build!

My wife showed me a Louis Vuitton zipper wallet and asked if I could make her something similar. . . I said "To save $1K, of course!"
This was supposed to be a quick leather wallet build ... for my wife's new purse (see previous video). It took way longer than expected! The asks were: It had to have a secure closure (zipper, snaps, etc ... but NOT buckles); be able to fit inside the purse AND easily carried separately if needed (hence, the D rings to attach a carry strap); and it would be nice if it can hold a phone.
I've made wallets before but not one with these particular features. Shout out to Etsy shop "LavantiaAtelier" from where I purchased the pattern. They did not sponsor this video, but you should definitely check out their store. They have a more lengthy video tutorial on how to build this pattern (with a way more awesome soundtrack).
I built mine mostly to the pattern specifications with one big difference: The pattern calls out for veg-tan leather. Everything I used was chrome tan leather. I'm also realizing I need to finally invest in some French-style chisels.
Follow me on Instagram @roadagentleather

[@jennyk2022]

So impressed. Lotta work for sure. Suggestion from a seamstress who repairs a lot of zippers... run a bit of beeswax along the zippers now and then just to stay in shape :)

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Great tip! I actually have beeswax from other projects I can use. Thanks for watching!

[@irenemeno3585]

My most favorite wallet style ever!!!! I had a beautiful black one but after about 25 yrs., it gave out. I haven't found another. This looks super. If you sell, would love tto buy one.

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Thanks for watching and leaving a comment!

[@edgell3]

Beautiful workmanship. As one comment said, “A labor of love ❤️.” Tool me a couple of days to watch. Well worth the wait. Thank You for sharing.👍😎

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching and especially for subscribing!!

[@JoFrostleatherwork]

Wow! This build was off the charts!!! Beautiful craftsmanship- thank you for sharing

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Thank you very much!

[@jeromedangelo7028]

So beautiful! All it's missing is your logo on one side.

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Thanks for watching!

[@Dynamytguy]

A labor of love. So much attention to detail. So precise. That's why I love watching your videos. Bravo!

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Thank you so much 😀

[@davidmcguire7479]

Beautiful work....well done! Love it

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Thank you very much!

[@flmoose1]

Great job! I made a virtually identical one to this a while back. Definitely a lot of work, but oh so satisfying in the end. I really like your idea of using the 'D' rings to utilize a wrist or shoulder strap. Wish I would've thought of that! If you're looking to upgrade your Wuta punches like I did, Sinabrocks are fantastic. I bought a few 6mm and 5mm in November. I'd like to pick up some 4mm too, but they aren't cheap! I also got some KS Blade pricking irons in 3mm from RML. Good for the smaller, more elegant projects. Love watching your videos and keep them coming!

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Thanks for subscribing!! I just need to make a strap now. Yeah, I've seen the Sinabrocks punches. My issue is for the price of just one I can buy a whole set of the WUTA punches in a variety of spacing/sizes. I have three sets so far and they've been great. I've been using them for the last year and half and they're still sharp. Now, what I'm really needing to invest in is a quality set of French-style stitching chisels.

[@flmoose1]

@@RoadAgentLeather I have a bunch of Wutas and the worked ok, but one day a punch of leather didn't eject from the small hole at the top and impacted subsequent punches inside the punch. Was such a pain to get out. Sinabrock had a sale and I pounced. Best darn decision.I know the Sinabrocks are $$$, but difference is night and day. I've also heard really good things about 157store. They're about 2/3 the $$. Anyway, Love watching your videos!

[@martinschlechta1787]

Beautiful workmanship. Grüsse aus Deutschland

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Thanks for watching!

[@johnpace6859]

Well done. No corners cut here.

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Thanks for watching and subscribing!

[@MASI_forging]

Your work is always impress 👍👍

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Thank you very much!

[@deanransom2350]

Just amazing work sir. DId you do all of that in one session? With your skills and the time it took to do that, you have created a $1,000 wallet, but since its for your wife it's way more valuable than that. Nice work. Inspiring....I learn a little from your videos every time I watch. I am doing a 1911 holster after watching your work. Thanks for sharing.

[@RoadAgentLeather]

That's awesome! No, I worked on it a little at a time over a week. Not sure how long cumulatively.

[@sherlock1895]

Exquisite craftsmanship indeed. Cheers!

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Thank you! Cheers! And extra thanks for subscribing!

[@jacks.7373]

i've been using some kemovancraft diamond stitching chisels for the past few months and really like them, and I've heard good things about the french tip style ones. They're a lot cheaper than ones like crimson hides or sinabrooks- around 40 for a 4 piece set- but still good quality, at least if they're anything similar to the diamond ones. maybe give those a try if they're not something you will use that often. Cool wallet build though. Seems like you could take care of the skiving with a bell skiver but the leather may be too thin.

[@RoadAgentLeather]

I actually tried to run this through my bell skiver. It was too thin . . . at least for my (still) limited experience on the machine.

[@jeffallen3382]

That should last forever! Great job!

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Thanks!

[@bobchronister3429]

Beautiful job….as usual

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Thanks!

[@littlef9304]

A well executed project as always. well done. - I like seeing how you installed the zipper. I've been toying with the idea of making a zippered rifle case sometime. This gives a me a little insight on how to go about it. I always learn so much watching your videos. Thanks.

[@RoadAgentLeather]

That sounds awesome! And thanks for subscribing!

[@johnnylgulledge6899]

Very nice!

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Thank you!

[@Tammy-un3ql]

Great job👌👌👌👌

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Thanks a lot 😊

[@steveholbrook4729]

nice job

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Thanks for the visit. And thanks for Subscribing!

[@bennifer94]

At several points throughout the video, I heard a subtle high-pitched whine/buzzing sound. It was barely noticeable but very distinct once I picked up it was there. I think it may have been some weird pickup from the ambient noise in your shop.

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Hmm. May have been my air conditioner? My "shop" is my garage and it isn't cooled in the summer so I have a portable unit.

[@bennifer94]

@RoadAgentLeather Hmm, no idea. Could I have picked that up? I have a portable AC unit, and sometimes, even with noise suppression, my set-up will still pick it up as a low-buzz. Thus, my initial thought. Hey, a garage can be a shop! 🙌

[@johnpiano5226]

Nice!!!!!

[@johnpiano5226]

Happy Fathers day

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Thanks for the visit!

[@ronhagelstein5701]

Very Nice

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Thanks

[@iamnoone.]

I've made a few of these, but my big problem is I can't get the skiving down right. I've ruined my far share of leather. Your's turned out superb 👌

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Oh yes! There were a couple of pieces I went a bit too deep with my skiving knife and had to throw in the scrap bin. The leather is so thin and almost all of it requires skiving.

[@DavZell]

​@@RoadAgentLeatherCould some sort of skiv8ng machine do this? Due to a disability, my fine motion skills are unsuitable for fine work.

[@PauloPereira-xn3wv]

o serviço que você faz artesanal vale OURO e muito lindo parabéns que o Sr Deus abençoe suas mãos 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏💥💥💥💥💥💥💥

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Thanks for watching and leaving a comment!

[@mariaalvarezschneider188]

HERMOSA 🥇👏👏

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Thanks!

[@matthewb8229]

I'm sure there's a certain feel you get for hand skiving, but I would be nervous as all could be doing that with what looks like some really expensive leather.

[@RoadAgentLeather]

It does take a certain "feel" to not accidentally cut through the leather. I lost a couple of pieces to that while filming. Thanks for watching!

[@DavZell]

​@@RoadAgentLeatherAnd that's part of the price of buying handmade leather goods! I love it when people associate the price of something to just the final raw materials without considering skills development, tools, labor, overhead, design, ptototyping - or waste materials. Matthew, I am not referring to you or your question.

[@jnw60]

What are the "eye bolt" things with brass "nuts" you used while sewing the gussets onto the zipper pocket? Ive never seen something like those

[@RoadAgentLeather]

They're from WUTA. Google "Leather Suture Positioning Needle". You can also find them on Amazon.

[@Semerich_Knives]

👍

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Thanks for subbing!

[@olafwustehoff2648]

Klasse super ✨️💯👍👍👍

[@RoadAgentLeather]

First comment!! Thanks for watching!

[@Munxcub]

Would that be the same tyvek as house wrap? Because I've got a bunch of that...

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Not sure if it's the same stuff. It's paper thin. Is that like the stuff you have? I purchased the sheets from Amazon. Thanks for subscribing!

[@Munxcub]

@@RoadAgentLeather could be. Looks similar. I'll have to give it a shot.

[@SuperMeat83]

What type of leather is that?

[@RoadAgentLeather]

Everything I'm using here is chrome tan hides I picked up from my local Tandy Leather.