Ten Years In — A Black Horween Bifold and a Navy Shinki Money Clip
A long-time customer recently sent back two pieces — an SW01 Bifold Wallet in Black Horween Shell Cordovan, made in 2016, and a Money Clip Wallet 01 in Navy Shinki Hikaku Shell Cordovan, made in 2017. Same owner, carried in rotation for close to a decade, both returned to the bench together. here is the original bifold post from 2016
SW01 Bifold Wallet — Black Horween Shell Cordovan, Skin Buttero lining. Ten years of handling has pulled the black smoother and brighter. The oil sheen has deepened and reflections come through sharp. Inside, the Skin lining has warmed to a deeper tan, darkest where cards and thumb have ridden against it.
Money Clip Wallet 01 — Navy Shinki Hikaku Shell Cordovan, Blue Buttero lining. The navy reads almost black until the light turns it. Less mirror than the Horween — the surface has settled into a deep, even glow, and the hand has gone finer and more supple than new Shinki. The Blue Buttero inside has quieted to a soft grey blue.
Side by side, the two leathers have aged in slightly different directions — the Horween brighter and sharper, the Shinki deep and smooth with a softer glow. Both shells are still firm and clean after ten years. Rotating between the two is most of the reason they have held up this well — neither carried every day, neither worn out.
While they were here I re-burnished the edges — a single pass to firm up the edge paint and bring back the gloss. The leather itself needed nothing.
Cleaned, conditioned, edges refreshed. Back in rotation.
If you have an older piece you'd like looked at, get in touch.