Open Seas Houbei 1.0 / 2.0 and Tauruscamp Grain Wallet COMPARE

[@simonedr2470]

First off, huge thanks to Mark for giving such an unbiased comparisons! Your videos are my goto benchmark when selecting wallets. I bought both of these stunning handmade wallets because of you. Absolutely amazed by the exceptional craftmanship shown by these talented hand crafters from diferent parts of the world. Their passion and dedication to their art clearly shines thru in the quality of these wallets! It's refreshing and heartwarming to see the handcrafters working in unity and collaboration, instead of being driven by the cutthroat competition so often seen in the mass-produced wallet industry. I'm a proud owner of both wallets, and I must say, they're equally amazing! , kudos to these gifted artisans and the awesome reviewer like you!

[@threadnhidelab]

Hey Mark, on 4:05 when you were referring to the dying, I think that's the flesh burnishing compound and not dye. Leather crafters often use Tokonole for this. This compound darkens and adds a bit of gloss to the dry flesh side of the leather. I could be wrong though but feel free to ask Tauruscamp just in case. Nice comparison review!. Cheers!

[@jimmyrittmann8208]

I remember suggesting this in a comment so long ago- glad to see the video finally make it out.

[@walletopia]

Yes, that was you Jimmy, keep the ideas coming!

[@mythrol]

I went with the grain wallet and it's absolutely perfect for my needs. The weight of the leather is awesome. Yes its slightly thinner but its also slightly stiffer than Opensea leather that i find more enjoyable to open and use. The shell version is on my list and I've been looking at an airtag version too. I don't think I'll ever switch to a different designed wallet. It's everything I want.

[@dubester1982]

I own both, but feel the exact same way. I've had nothing but one of my two Grains in my pocket for the last six months. I couldn't agree more! Fantastic design

[@jimmyrittmann8208]

Also, I think this video is a great time to remember- men can own more than one wallet. I have a houbei and a base wallet, along with many others. Life's too short for a boring wallet.

[@Anothervictim87]

This made me feel better about having many wallets. 😅

[@jimmyrittmann8208]

@Anothervictim87 I quit having misgivings about my wallet collection (30+) a while back, when I realized that collecting wallets is just as valid as any other arts based collection, be it pottery, woodworks, books, paintings, etc. Mine is just better because it's functional, and it becomes a part of me when I carry it. I get to engage with my collection directly, rather than just look at it.

[@Anothervictim87]

@@jimmyrittmann8208 great way of putting it

[@Tomasor3]

I dont think so buddy, we will always try to find the bestcperfect wallet to use all the time. For me is very annoying to move my stuff and reorganize my head, simpler is the best. Im between taking the risk of this or going classic with johnny the fox. Just kidding, we can have plenty lol

[@bresciagennaro]

Shell cordovan version is black marbled by rocado right?

[@emperorchopchop7726]

I got the grain based on your original review and couldn't possibly be happier with it. It's been added to a short list of things I own that I'd immediately replace if I ever lost or damaged it. If I do ever need to get another, def gonna splurge on the shell.

[@dabomb5505]

Did you get the only cards version or coin version?

[@emperorchopchop7726]

@@dabomb5505 only cards...and it's still the best wallet I've ver owned

[@darkstar_destroyer377]

I have 15 wallets including the Houbei and the Grain wallets. Really love both. The leather on the Grain is gorgeous. Both well made and both eye catching. I find the Houbei generally sits just slightly more comfortably in my front pocket. The Grain is a bit taller. Grain lacks a quick access slot. Would have to call Houbei the better choice, at least for me, but I carry all of my wallets on a rotation.

[@Eric-zs3hj]

Hey I own both as well. With the grain wallet I put my most used visa in the outer most pocket and when I close the flap I tuck the flap behind my visa so you can grab your visa without opening the wallet. If you go to their main page you should see a picture of what I mean. This creates quick access slot and no the card will not fall out.

[@darkstar_destroyer377]

@@Eric-zs3hj Ahhh! Excellent idea! That had not occurred to me! Appreciate the tip. I'm gonna give that a try!

[@user-yr9zs6sr9d]

whats the best dye or color on the tauruscamp. The dyes are more expensive, but is it worth it? I want a more natural look

[@aaronfox6413]

their natural buttero version is the best,

[@mrwan7010]

As a neutral who lives outside the States and owns neither wallet, the grain wallet design is more appealing as you can get international currency in there without folding your money into thirds.

[@sumanshaikh7227]

This channel got me into wallets actually and i have both of them. Used them both, and i honestly still cannot decide which one is better than the other

[@nathanielstrohschein8967]

have you considered reviewing the nalu payette or the get set gear bruce minimalist?

[@tony_bologna]

3.9/5 seems like a score lower than the Houbei deserves, imo. Such a great wallet. I have two, one in buttero and one in Horween Dublin.

[@1977NOBODY]

I prefer open sea leather and I just purchased a Houbei 2.0 in Pueblo👍🏻It’s a carry commission colab with open sea leather….. I like the Taurus wallets may get one some day but I’ve been hesitant because the shipping cost😬The wallets are 89 to get one to California it’s like 30+ dollars shipping….Also I’m saving up for a Chris Reeves knife and gonna focus on that and a few other edc items.

[@Pokeonrocks5]

If you like shell cordovan, I would highly recommend looking at more Ashland leather! The bugs Moran and the Frank the enforcer are wonderful in shell! :D I would recommend either!

[@yelyl136]

I have the Tauruscamp Grain Wallet as well as a couple of Topsiders and Gundecks from Open Sea Leather. Absolutely amazing wallets.

[@danielradovancev4509]

Love that shelll cordovan

[@simonedr2470]

I am carrying one in purple shell and it's amazing

[@pepleatherlab3872]

For me it's always a little sad when crafters employ Shell Cordovan for such benign designs. My feeling is that a shell cordovan items should 'burst' with expression. If your design has you hiding 3/4 of the shell deployed,..it kind of defeats the point of such a glorious leather. It's like always keeping your favorite luxury car in the garage. 😐 ~Thanks Mark.

[@angrysouls6672]

I respectfully disagree. I am one of the owners of the marbled shell grain wallets. I personally buy it in shell because I know I like the wallet very much and cordovan leather has amazing characteristics and qualities that make it delightful to own. If I were to carry this daily, I would like to carry it in a leather that I love and is built to withstand a lot of heavy use. I find myself frequently opening the wallet just to look at it and admire it. While to you it is a “benign” design, for many of us, the grain wallet is a fantastic piece of craftsmanship. True, it doesn’t need much skiving or stitching, but the important thing is coming up with a design that is pleasing to look at and to use. That is the brilliance behind the product. Anyone can learn to cut and bevel and glue and sew, and you definitely get better with practice. But not everyone can design a good wallet that has won the hearts of many customers. I’ve seen many of your comments scorning the use of a few popular makers. I guess to each their own. I respect that you are a good craftsman, but that doesn’t mean that other designs are no good. There is no such thing as a waste of leather if the buyer appreciates it and uses it with joy and pride.

[@wildbill5698]

I have a Fat Herbie in beautiful Shell Cordavan.

[@tony_bologna]

Same here. I love it. It’s big, but very flat!

[@randyc9656]

I’m a Taurus guy

[@John-oz1do]

Taurus more versatile . I prefer it

[@cedtavernier]

I love both and i still can't choose ! Looking for something that can contains coins, cash (euros) and cards (6 to 8). @walletopia and @everybody, with such an experience of all the wallets, what would be your advice ? I'm open to other ones or another models of open sea (the topsider / topsider bifold / gun deck quickdraw ans nimitz are great too !) Thanks

[@a.j.e4349]

... I hope your not running out of new wallets to review Mark?

[@walletopia]

Nope, plenty more and I keep finding new ones. Not to say, we still have new models from makers we already know and love coming out.

[@a.j.e4349]

@@walletopia Happy days Mark. Keep em all coming pal!

[@esma4698]

worst thing i did was buy a tauruscamp wallet

[@timbledum]

Why is that?

[@esma4698]

@@timbledum i bought a "custom dyed" (i wanted a super dark purple that almost looked black but had purple hints) wallet from them off etsy for $170AUD and they ended up shipping me their regular walnut coloured wallet (in person its brown with super light brown stitching) i sent my complaints through the messaging system on etsy but they said that "itll gain dark colour overtime" i just went along with it and convinced myself that maybe everything will magically darken but nope- same colour. hasnt even darkened in the slightest bit AND they didnt even offer a refund or a redo on dyeing it extremely disappointed, they assured me that theyll b able to custom dye it

[@timbledum]

@@esma4698 thanks for sharing, they’re not cheap so you would expect the best from customer service.

[@esma4698]

@@timbledum yeah absolutely! i was disappointed with what i received for the price i paid- they could've sent me a black dyed wallet but they didn't even bother with that i just received their plain brown coloured wallet

[@haziqaziz35]

@@esma4698their customer service is very slow responding to enquiries

[@dkaustin98]

Did you see the national news tonight about business card readers charging credit cards through pursues and wallets with out the wallets being removed? It has now become a problem.

[@walletopia]

About the one store in SF, yes. Poorly configured POS system, but not a national problem nor is it card sniffing. Again, my comments are about not limiting yourself to RFID wallets and if you’re still concerned, get an RFID blocking card or sleeve.

[@dkaustin98]

@@walletopia The sleeves I am considering. RFID blocking wallets... Nope.