I'm just your average guy with an appreciation for above average goods. My goal is to introduce you to products that will see you through thick and thin, and then some.
One of my favorite things about working with the leather industry is that I get to see firsthand how different companies create and design products with a similar function. Leather photography accessories have been a staple of any young or seasoned photographer for a while now, and 74Street Bags has contributed to the offering with an excellent piece, the Multicamera Photographer Leather Harness.
About
Mircea & Daciana Bule are the powerhouse couple behind 74Street Bags. Mircea is a licensed fashion designer and he has been handcrafting with leather for more than 20 years. He is referred to as the brain of design and handwork and Daciana, a manager by profession and a fashion design student, is “the brains of the business along with being Mircea’s apprentice in learning more and more everyday about the vast skills needed for handcrafting leather.” This Romanian duo designs and creates some unique bags – which seem to be very popular through their Etsy storefront, which shows a 5 star rating and healthy sales. This second time around we are reviewing the Multicamera Photographer Leather Harness from 74Street Bags.
Construction
The Multicamera Photographer Leather Harness is hand constructed with full grain leather and metal pins and D-rings. The leather has been sourced with imperfections and marks that make each piece unique. This specific leather has a nice matte finish that looks good with anything, but also provides plenty of support for two heavy cameras.
The entire harness is hand-stitched by the couple, and after long inspections I could not find any crooked, missed, or compromised stitches. It is obvious that 74Street Bags takes much time and care in each product construction. The harness is also built using two pieces of leather, stitched together to make an even stronger, more dependable accessory for your expensive photography gear. Overall the harness’ construction is top-quality, and I would expect nothing less because it carries around thousands of dollars worth of cameras.
Function
74Street Bags has done a good job at combining style, quality, and function in one leather product. The harness is extremely easy to use, as you just swing it on, attach your photoshoot camera, and begin your shoot. This specific harness was designed for carrying two cameras, one on each side of the body. The metal pins are easy to adjust for body size, and the metal sliders flow freely on the leather shoulder straps. This makes for a smooth and efficient shooting motion that every photographer can appreciate. While the camera clip on system also functions well and will continue to do so for a while. Don’t let the thinness of the small clips make you nervous. Daciana has assured me that the clips are designed to support more than 80kg (176+ lbs)…which is way beyond the normal load that any photographer will connect to these straps.
Aesthetic
74Street Bags creates products that appeal to people on several different levels. The attractive, easily scuffed leather and metal hardware combine to make a piece that will not only be a solid addition to your photo accessories, but also a conversation piece when worn. The patina has already started to change a little, and it will definitely get better with age. Many people have flocked to the 74Street Bags’ Etsy store because their products have a story, are extremely well built, and guaranteed to last a lifetime, and it is easy to understand why after using the Multicamera Photographer Leather Harness.
Verdict
I have thoroughly enjoyed using the Multicamera Photographer Leather Harness from 74Street Bags. The harness will make an excellent addition to any photographer’s collection and will work well for many years to come. Priced at $269.00, the harness is an investment that I believe photographers should make.
Jaunji Goods has announced a new line of men’s and women’s jackets made with lamb, goat, or natural grain cow leather via a new Kickstarter campaign. For men, the jackets come in four styles: Moto, Cafe Racer, Bomber, and Uptown, a simple high-collared design. Ladies’ jackets also come in two styles: Uptown, and a moto style with an asymmetrical zip. The jackets come lined with standard viscose lining, but can be upgraded to a herringbone wool.
You can get a jacket with standard lining and your choice of color for $339, which is about $200 off expected retail price. Couples can pledge $669 for jackets of their choice. Jaunji has already more than met their Kickstarter goal, but this gives buyers a chance to add a nice quality leather jacket to their wardrobe for less. Keep an eye out in the next week or so for a review of the men’s Uptown Jacket!
The Weinbrenner Shoe Company (known primarily as Thorogood Brand) has been making footwear in Wisconsin since 1892 and in this factory since the 1930s. Their local ABC affiliate recently featured them in their “Made in Wisconsin” special report series, giving us a peek into the inner workings of an all-American shoe factory. You can see employees inspecting the American-sourced leather, cutting the hides, assembling the uppers, attaching the soles, and getting each pair ready to ship out.
Iconic American success stories are awesome and the story of Albert Weinbrenner, son of a German immigrant and cobbler, holds true to form. Albert began his apprenticeship at age 13 working for his father. By his early 20s, in his spare time, Albert was designing work boots specifically for the trade jobs his friends had around Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In 1892, at the age of 27, Albert started his own cobbler business with partner Joseph Pfeifer.
Weinbrenner and Pfeifer enjoyed immediate success – becoming well known for their “jobber” boot. Today Weinbrenner Shoe Company is still based in Wisconsin and employs over three hundred people in the local area.
In addition to making sturdy workwear, their 1892 Wisconsin line is beloved in mens casual footwear. We’ve reviewed the Portage CXL Roofers and the Dodgevilles, and found them to be extremely well-made with an American heritage flair.
Spring fashion weeks around the world are coming to an end, solidifying trends for the upcoming season, and delighting buyers and bloggers alike. A team from Best Leather visited several fashion trade shows in Las Vegas, including MAGIC, Liberty Fairs, Capsule, and MRKT, which featured everything from household global names to small handmade items to up-and-coming clothing labels. We wanted to share some of our favorite new looks from fall 2016 lines. Keep an eye out for these items and trends once fall comes around.
Alpha Industries – The military outerwear company will be debuting the new Phantom jacket, in both black and white leather. It’s a lighter jacket with great features like an arm pocket and knit cuffs.
Hammitt – LA-based Hammitt has some fun designs coming for fall. Look out for their shiny new printed leather, called Curacao, on crossbodies, handbags, wallets, and more. Hammitt showcases their ingenuity with a new line of handbags featuring removable front panels that act as both a clutch and a fun addition of texture.
Mario Latorre – Ever-stylish Mario Latorre will be debuting some new briefcase designs, a deep crossbody tote, and their first women’s wallet. They also feature a gorgeous red ethically-sourced alligator duffle. Check out our recent review of their Voltaire Litigation Briefcase, which will be coming out in matte black.
Steve Madden Mens – Mixed media and contrasting textures were a common theme throughout many different lines, but Steve Madden’s fall line showcased some, which included some wedge heels and lots of brogue toes.
Thorogood – We were privileged to have a preview of Thorogood’s beautiful 1892 Wisconsin collection, of which we’ve reviewed the Dodgeville and the Portage CXL Roofer. Keep an eye out for more cushioned outsole styles as well as a gorgeous green boot in both men’s and women’s(!).
Timberland– Timberland will be debuting a limited run line of their iconic 6-inch boots in jewel-toned suede for fall. Featuring translucent tread and hairy suede, these fun boots are sure to be a hit. Also keep an eye out for several boots from their premium Timberland Boot Company line, featuring Horween leather and lineman toe details made with motorcycle riders in mind.
Gordon Rush – California-based Gordon Rush has several smart new designs coming out for fall, including slim chukkas, brogue dress shoes, and sleek Chelsea boots.
Dr. Martens – British footwear giant Dr. Martens showcased lots of suede designs, including some Blue Suede Shoes. Look out for lots of suede, fun prints on the 1460s, and some lighter footwear options for people who aren’t ready to commit to hefty Air Wair soles.
W Durable Goods – We forgot to shoot some pictures, but we loved some innovative products from W Durable Goods out of Fort Worth Texas. They repurpose vintage materials like Kevlar fire suits and canvas transport bags, as well as large and small bags made from new materials.
Fjallraven – The Swedish outfitter’s iconic Kanken backpack is getting a sleek new makeover with all-black leather and G1000 material. An eco-friendly version of the Kanken will also be available this year, as well as additions to their line of sustainable, ethical down jackets.
Adam O Leathers has announced a new line of items made from famous Wickett and Craig bridle leather on Kickstarter. The line includes a briefcase, two messenger bags, leather coasters, and personalized keychains. In the past, the company has offered professional knife rolls as well as a line of Horween messenger bags.
Bag Features:
Made with thick English Bridle Leather from Wickett and Craig (6.5oz)
Marine grade polyester thread (UV resistant)
Heavy duty hardware
Hammered industrial copper rivets
Lifetime warranty
About Adam O Leathers
“I’ve always being fascinated by the way handmade leather products are created – how this ancient craft has lasted for centuries while still bringing some of the most exclusive products to the market. Several years ago, I decided to learn the art of handmade leather craft and now I pass this passion into every product made at Adam O. Leathers. Our attention to detail, combined with some of the best leather available in the world, is at the core of our business.” – Adam O.
Kickstarter
The bags are currently available on Kickstarter for 25% off or more. Each bag can be stamped with your initials and comes with a lifetime warranty. $225 gets you a leather briefcase while $275 gets you a messenger bag with a single or double strap. Keep an eye out for a review of the Adam O Professional Briefcase, coming in the next few weeks!
We love to talk about the superiority of hand-stitched leather products, but why exactly is this the case? Often times, machines can run circles around humans when it comes to speed and precision. But with many aspects of leather crafting, this just isn’t the case.
When a sewing machine is used to stitch two pieces of leather together, that line of stitching uses two separate pieces of thread that twist around each other in what is known as a “locking stitch.” If any piece of the thread snaps on a locked stitch, the entire thread can unravel, ruining the seam and compromising the strength of the product.
Saddle Stitching
A hand-sewn saddle-stitched line uses a single thread with needles on each end. The thread is pulled back and forth on either side of the leather in what is called a “running stitch.” This gives the seam extra strength and longevity. Often, the two pieces of leather are placed together then grooved or punched through in order to keep the stitch aligned and embedded in the leather for more durability.
Check out the video below for a visual example of saddle stitching.
If the thread breaks on a saddle-stitched piece, the thread won’t unravel because the other side holds the seam together. This technique has been around for centuries, and takes a lot of time and practice to perfect. The saddle-stitch is most commonly used on edges and can only be done by hand due to the complex nature of the stitch. Yet another reason it makes sense to pay a premium for hand-crafted products made by artisans who care deeply about their work.
The Field Notes brand of notebooks debuted in 2007, and since then have become a staple in many people’s everyday carry gear thanks to their small, convenient size. Of course, these stylish notebooks are ripe for the invention of many different kinds of holders, folders, and wallets to keep them safe. One such option is the simple and attractive Tyler Field Notes Wallet from Byline Supply Co, based in Portland, OR.
ABOUT BYLINE SUPPLY CO.
Austin Boyd founded Byline Supply Co for well-made American heritage goods was born from a leather belt his grandfather made years ago. He appreciated the quality of the same experience to people today. These goods told the story of the owner, even after they had passed. This ideal is what Austin and his team strive for, making sure each piece is handcrafted entirely from USA-sourced materials. From their website: “We exist to help you live your legacy, and give you a piece of true American heritage.”
CONSTRUCTION
The Tyler Field Notes Wallet is made with 3-4 oz Hermann Oak leather in a natural, undyed color. The edges are waxed and burnished, giving it a nice finished look. The 3-4 oz leather is a great choice – it gives the wallet a slim profile while staying nice and sturdy. The Hermann Oak leather softens and darkens with more use. It gradually becomes easier to open and lay flat but keeps its shape well.
FUNCTION & AESTHETIC
The Tyler Field Notes Wallet contains two inside pockets to carry a notebook or passport, along with two card slots. It has space to hold a Field Notes journal which measure 3-1/2” wide by 5-1/2” tall.
The wallet comes in three color options – tan, brown, and natural. The natural color will naturally darken around the edges and develop a nice patina with more use. Its shape and style is rustic yet modern – perfect for stylish people who want to stay organized without being flashy.
CONCLUSION
The Tyler Field Notes Wallet is a nice little accessory to have around, especially if you want to get in the habit of writing things down more often. It’s slim and easy to carry, and can be used as a wallet or card holder for further consolidating your every day carry belongings. This is a high quality, American-made piece that will keep your notes and doodles safe for years to come. The Tyler Wallet is currently on sale for only $47.50 (usually $95), which is an incredible deal. Snatch one up while you can (and maybe grab some extras as gifts)!
With the 2016 trade shows coming up, we thought it fitting to review a leather product from a company we discovered this time last year. We’ve been impressed with the level of quality maintained by this company. This time around I am reviewing the Black Voltaire Litigation Briefcase, and I must say, this briefcase is truly a stunner.
About
Mario Latorre was founded by Daniel and Paola Garrido and is currently based out of Biloxi, Mississippi. They strive to combine functionality and luxury in their leather products, which are hand-made by artisans in South America. Over this past year we have reviewed the Bottini Briefcase and Baroni Rustico Messenger Bag, and both products exude quality and embody the Mario Latorre values.
Construction
The Litigation is constructed using premium black Italian leather and Italian hardware. The black leather is extremely soft and plush. It feels like there is a thin padded lining stitched in between the leather, and this gives the bag a very soft and lavish feel. The hardware is equally impressive. The laser engraved Swiss lock is the centerpiece of this briefcase and each one comes with a key to lock away important documents. On top, the handle provides a generous amount of support and strength.
Standing at 11” high by 16” long and 5” wide, the Voltaire Litigation Briefcase is a substantial bag. My overall impression of this briefcase’s construction is very positive: the premium leather, attractive lock and handle, and solid feel really come together in a beautifully made briefcase.
Function
The Black Voltaire Litigation Briefcase is designed with the modern businessman in mind. The 5 expandable organization pockets provide ample room for my MacBook Air, journal, several document folders, college papers, and more. I store my MacBook in the rear pocket because it feels more balanced compared to the others. The front compartment is dedicated to the miscellaneous EDC items such as my cell phone, business cards, pens, headphones and more.
My favorite feature on the Litigation Briefcase is the detachable shoulder strap. While some may think the strap is a little too thin, keep in mind this briefcase was designed as a true briefcase and to be held in hand. There is nothing like walking in to a meeting with your briefcase firmly in hand and getting down to business.
Aesthetic
The natural texture of the leather will only improve with time. The leather has a natural sheen that catches the attention of people everywhere I go. The Voltaire Litigation briefcase comes in three leather options – black, matte black, and brown. Its bright red interior gives it a memorable sense of personality and contrasts brightly against the dark leather and hardware. The briefcase has a simple and classic Italian look that makes me feel luxurious when holding it, and will never go out of style.
Conclusion
The Black Voltaire Litigation Briefcase makes a statement everywhere I go. This briefcase makes me wish I had more exciting meetings to attend than coffee shop dates or business classes. I look forward to using it many years in the future, when I do have more important meetings to go to. When I need to make an impression, this bag will be my bag of choice.
OK, so you need a wallet. You’ve went on Amazon and saw a lot of space age, high tech, RFID blocking, butt massaging wallets. They caught the eye but seemed gimmicky. Next, you went on Pinterest and found no less than 57 lovely candidates for back pocket carry, but that became wearisome really quickly. Finally you hit up BestLeather and are so burnt out you just want something that’s simple, looks good and performs. Enter Craft & Lore’s Enfold Wallet.
CONSTRUCTION
The Enfold is born in Northern Idaho from 3 pieces of Horween Dublin leather. Everything is held together using the highly effective hand saddle stitch. The stitching is very tight and shows zero looseness. The diagram below, taken from the Craft & Lore website, illustrates this nicely.
The leather is a 4 oz so the thickness is about 1/16th of an inch. The dimensions are 4.25″ x 3″ x .75 when reasonably stocked with your cards, cash and obsolete Blockbuster Video rental card. On my scale the weight is 50 grams when empty.
FUNCTION
The name of the game here is simplicity. With three compartments the Enfold makes organizing pretty straightforward. The open slot on the back is best for the cards you use most. I reserve it for my Driver’s License and credit card. The inner front pocket is my overflow parking for loyalty cards and pictures of my calico kitten, Muzzles. The cash pocket can accommodate a fair number of bills but, albeit folded. I’m not really a fan of folding cash as it is harder to sort and slower to retrieve as compared to a billfold. But it’s also a lot slimmer and more compact than a billfold so you have to decide which is more important to you. Thanks to the slim profile, I can front pocket carry the Enfold and even fit it in the chest pocket of my flannels.
AESTHETIC
The Enfold is a simple, good looking wallet. It’s not over the top and it’s not sloppy. The clean, uncluttered design under promises and over delivers. As with any quality leather piece, your days of hard use will pay off with a gracefully aging accessory.
CONCLUSION
The Enfold is a solid, no frills wallet. While it doesn’t really stand out from the pack of high quality hand made wallets we usually review, it does maintain the standard we’ve come to appreciate. If you’re looking for the latest, trendiest designer wallet then looks elsewhere. If you just need a faithful companion to hold your cash and cards, the Craft & Lore Enfold is a viable option.
Wool & Oak is a new brand specializing in leather functional goods. They recently announced a Kickstarter for their new travel duffle bag that features an organized packing system. The Duffle Suitcase is designed like a classic weekender bag on the outside and built like a compartmentalized suitcase in the inside.
ABOUT WOOL & OAK
“The brand’s design philosophy is about the marriage of classic design aesthetic with functionality needed in today’s modern world. With minimal branding, Wool & Oak aims to give the customer a sense of ownership of the brand,thus empowering them to mold each piece to their own personal style.”
THE DUFFEL SUITCASE
The Duffel Suitcase measures 20″ x 10.5″ x 10″ and meets all of the TSA’s airline security requirements. It comes with. It consists of 3 compartments separated by 2 removable walls acting as partitions. The Duffle Suitcase has over 19 features including: 2 built in shoe bags, a tie pocket on the floorboard, dedicated pockets for a laptop, tablet, 2 books, a belt & 2 chargers.
The bag is made with full grain leather and comes in three colors – oak, navy, and black. There is also a canvas version offered. Wool & Oak offers a detachable leather toiletry bag that can snap on and off the side. The Duffel Suitcase is expected to retail for $550, but you if you get in early, you can get one for just $250. The Kickstarter is funded but there are still units left, so check it out if you’re looking for a good deal.
Based in New York City, Maria Fano recently launched her company via a successful Kickstarter campaign. Maria’s goal is to offer luxury handbags with premium materials for an affordable price. She and seven artisans based in Lviv, Ukraine, have designed a minimalist product line made for women who want handmade, designer quality at a more reasonable price point.
Today we’ll be taking a look at the Michelle Bag. Keep an eye out for a review of the fun pink passport cover, coming soon!
CONSTRUCTION & FUNCTION
The Michelle bag is hand-stitched from shrunken calf leather from Germany and lined with brightly colored French goat leather. The bag measures in at 9.5 x 12.6 x 6.5 inches, making it a nice small to medium handbag size. Each side of the bag is gusseted with Riri snaps that allow the bag to fit more or less, depending on your needs. The bag maintains an attractive trapezoidal shape even when the gussets are open. The bag can fit all the purse essentials and
Each Michelle bag comes with a matching strap. I wasn’t able to check out the strap as I was given a first run production piece to review, but there were two small rings on the inside to attach a strap. The handles have enough drop length to carry over the shoulder if need be.
AESTHETIC
The Michelle bag has a gorgeous, modern simplicity to it. The bag comes in four color options – light grey, taupe, slate, and black calf leather. Two colors are currently available on the Etsy store – taupe and black. My taupe color is a beautiful, versatile color that compliments nearly any outfit. Photos don’t quite capture the subtle greyish tan hue that makes this bag so versatile. Even with minimal branding and ornamentation, the Michelle bag stands out and gets noticed everywhere.
The goat leather lining is one of my favorite parts. The bright magenta color adds a fun pop to an otherwise simple bag. Options include black, purple, magenta, rose, yellow and light blue. The lining is stitched quite beautifully and keeps the inside of the bag clean and attractive looking.
CONCLUSION
I’ve been quite impressed with the quality of the Maria Fano Michelle bag, especially as a first run product. It has a really lovely, luxe look that feels much like high-end Givenchy bags, but at 1/4 the price. It straddles the line between serious and fun with its pink goat leather lining and sleek silhouette. The bag is still not cheap at $700, but with premium materials, excellent construction, and a minimalist look, it will serve you well for a very long time.
Based in Pondicherry, India, leather goods manufacturer Hidesign is actively working to grow its presence in the U.S. market. Hidesign was founded in 1978, as a two-man workshop. The company now has over 80 exclusive branded stores and sells in hundreds of independent stores, making it a huge player in India’s accessories market.
The company expanded to the U.S. in late 2014 and hopes to build its brand through online sales and high end independent retailers. Each Hidesign bag is made by hand with vegetable-tanned leather from their own tannery, and all their hardware is solid brass cast and polished at their own forge. Their three teams of designers are based in Milan, London and Pondicherry.
Hidesign features a range of competitively priced men and women’s bags, luggage, and accessories. Last year, we reviewed their Hector 17″ Backpack, which we found to be attractive, functional, and reasonably priced. Keep an eye out for a review of the Cerys Multi-Compartment Tote, coming soon. Hidesign often runs great sales, so keep an eye on their website to save on their already competitively priced items.
The Kendal & Hyde briefcase comes in four styles, two depths and four colors. You can then add extra pockets, pouches, luggage tags, waterbottle holders, and more, to make a personalized briefcase that suits your needs.
The briefcases have multiple divisions and pockets to help you keep things organized. In addition to the main chamber, the briefcase has a computer pocket that holds a 15″ MacBook Pro or smaller laptop; a tablet pocket that fits a standard iPad or smaller tablet; two pen holders; a wide pocket with a cover flap for a computer recharger cord; and a 4.5″ tight pocket behind the recharger pocket.
Each briefcase will retail for $600, but are discounted to $450 as a Kickstarter preorder. The Kickstarter is already funded, but you can still get a great deal on these sturdy bags and accessories.
Men’s Footwear is an enormous industry with thousands of designs, producers, and materials. But when it comes down to it, leather boots are without a doubt the longest lasting and highest quality sector of the trade. Timberland has established itself as a powerhouse in the Men’s Boots industry since 1973, but The Timberland Boot Company is a relatively new addition to Timberland. This new addition is focused on producing boots that are inspired by early craftsmanship along with modern influences. Today I’ll be taking a look at Timberland’s Men’s Wodehouse Wing Boots.
About
“Timberland can trace its roots all the way back to 1920s Boston, where Nathan Schwartz began his career as an apprentice stitcher. Schwartz and his family grew the company and, in the 1950s introduced an innovative injection-molding technique that allowed them to waterproof their boots. In 1973, they introduced the “Timberland” brand, and the rest is history. Timberland is now a huge clothing and footwear brand that operates stores worldwide. Their company headquarters are in Stratham, New Hampshire.” The Timberland Boot Company has developed into the high quality, heritage craftsmanship part of Timberland, which is something we can appreciate here at BestLeather.
Construction
The Wodehouse Wing Boots are constructed using full-grain leather that has been hand finished to give the boot a worn-in look. These wing boots are easily scuffed and marked, which I think makes for an attractive patina that complements their vintage look.
The boots have a leather outsole with a rubber heel so the boots have both flexibility and traction. The molded leather midsole adds to the vintage look, as well as the tooled wingtip toes and tooled leather detail on the upper stitching. The shoes are almost entirely leather, with the exception of the rubber heel and the waxed cotton laces. There are no metal eyelets or other details to distract from the leather and its patina. The metal zipper on the inside of the shoe is very sturdy and easy to use. I was not too excited about having zippers on my boots, but over time and from hundreds of zips I have become quite fond of this feature and appearance.
Aesthetic
The Wing Boots come in two colors – Red Brown and Dark Grey. My Red Brown boots are quite versatile and just bright enough to add interest to nearly any outfit. The boots look terrific with or without cuffed denim and are extremely comfortable. I definitely could wear the Wodehouse Wing boots all day long and be comfortable, which is something that I could not say about a lot of other shoes I own. The only aspect of this boot I found a little unfortunate is that the midsole is very easily scuffed. I don’t mind scuffs or marks—in fact I enjoy adding character to my boots—but the midsole develops a little too many marks and scrapes for my taste. Timberland recommends some boot and shoe refresher so I think if I touched them up a bit most of the scrapes and scuffs will go away.
Conclusion
I have amassed a pretty decent collection of quality footwear, but I find myself wearing the Timberland Wodehouse Wing Boots quite frequently. The comfort level, the expert construction and vintage appearance combine seamlessly into a high-quality boot that have convinced me to purchase again from the Timberland Boot Company. Head over to their website and check out all of their quality, attractive men’s footwear, especially in the Timberland Boot Company line, and be on the lookout for more Timberland reviews to come.
If you do not have leather jacket in your wardrobe, I highly advise you to start saving up to buy one. A leather jacket is one of the most timeless accessories you can own. Whether you’re looking for a riding jacket, aviation jacket, or just a leather jacket to add to your style, you are in the right place. Satchel and Page has a knack for making high quality, beautiful, and timeless leather products. This time around I have the privilege of reviewing the Satchel and Page Café Racer.
About
Based out of Austin, Texas, Satchel & Page is dedicated to producing handmade, high quality leather products. Each of their leather products has been designed with WWII and 1940s influences. As I’m sure you know, Satchel & Page has launched several of their product lines via extremely successful Kickstarter campaigns. The leather jacket campaign has proven to be a fabulously successful venture for this awesome company, with many, many people backing and supporting it to get a hold of one of these jackets, and for good reason.
Construction
The Café Racer leather jacket is constructed using full-grain French calf leather that has been vegetable re-tanned. The vegetable re-tanning process has made the black leather resistant to scratches and nicks, and designed to age in the best way possible. The calf leather is a perfect choice to use in the construction of a leather jacket because it is softer, smoother, and lighter than regular cow leather. The Café Racer also boasts seven YKK zippers, a satin/cotton blend fabric for the internal lining, and higher armholes for the sleeves. The armholes are designed in this high stature to give it the racy, tight fit throughout the tailored body. The jacket has been skillfully constructed with some of the most premium materials possible, and in the eight months I have had this jacket, I have not found one insufficiency.
Function
I have had this jacket for a very long time. It’s one of the only products I have consistently used for several months before I put together a review. In my opinion, waiting this long to review this Café Racer jacket has been a good decision. I have had the opportunity to wear this jacket for roughly 4,000 miles of motorcycle riding in 2015 and numerous social outings. I am thoroughly in love with how this jacket performs when I’m riding and in everyday activities. The tight fit (now a little tighter cause of some weight gain) is perfect for riding. There is no flapping or drag while riding my motorcycle and certainly no complaints on the appearance of my jacket.
The Café Racer functions flawlessly in cold and warm weather. In cold weather the YKK zippers on the sleeves expand for just enough room to get your riding gloves on and zip back down for a nice, snug fit to keep the cold air from running up your arms. In warmer weather, keep the main zipper unzipped a little bit and open up the sleeve zippers for a comfortable riding temperature. The Café Racer leather jacket has functioned without an issue since day one, and shows no signs of stopping. Whether I’m riding though some twisties on my motorcycle or bundled up with a beanie and a scarf, the Café Racer leather jacket has proven to be a staple in my wardrobe.
Aesthetic
I’m not going to lie, I get a lot of looks when I’m riding my all black street bike wearing my black leather jacket with a black leather satchel on my back. Aside from the egotistical positives this jacket offers, it truly is stunning all of the time. The black leather is soft, pliable, and perfect in every aspect. The no-nonsense attitude this jacket exudes is just plain attractive. This classic design certainly isn’t going anywhere, and I’m positive this jacket will last for decades to come.
Conclusion
I am thoroughly impressed with the Satchel & Page Café Racer leather jacket. The premium materials, heritage roots, and overall superior quality come together to make an investment like this too good to pass up. With a fair price of $560, this leather jacket will last for longer than you’ll be able to wear it. Head over to the Satchel & Page website to check out their beautiful leather products, and don’t forget to follow them on Instagram. If you act fast you can get a $70 coupon that lasts through Thursday; buying this jacket will be a decision you will not regret.
A nice leather bag is one of those things that many people consider an investment worth working for. As many can already agree, finding the ‘perfect’ leather bag that looks good, last a long time, fits in the budget, and functions the way it is supposed to is surprisingly difficult. More times than not, consumers end up buying a cheap mass produced bag that works but does not offer many of the aforementioned qualities. Introducing Crushed Leather Company’s entry into the leather bag market–the Minimalist Carry. It has the looks, durability, functionality, and fairly reasonable price. Let’s take a closer look at how this bag stands up to the test.
ABOUT CRUSHED LEATHER CO
Brant Stock, the brains behind Crushed Leather Co, is a product developer and chiropractor based in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA. After several months and several prototypes later, Brant had the final product for the Crushed Leather Minimalist Carry. He strived for over-kill durability to offer a bag that will stand up to not one, not two, but three lifetimes. It will be interesting to see what other products they release because I genuinely like the overall design of their first product.
CONSTRUCTION
As stated on Crushed Leather’s website, the construction is top notch. “You won’t have any issues. It’s built for over-kill durability.” I can certainly agree after further inspection of the bag. As you can see from the photos, most of the seams have been triple stitched. The bag is extremely sturdy and has incredible structure from the nylon webbing that the bag and strap are lined with. A smart design feature of this bag is having the strap go around the entire bag, eliminating the worry that the strap will detach like in many bags of this style. Upon unboxing the bag, I noticed a slightly strong odor coming from the bag, but this has started to go away after using the bag. Overall it is built quite nicely and I am excited to see how it ages.
FUNCTIONALITY
This bag was much smaller and lighter than I thought it was before I saw it in person. One thing you have to remind yourself of is that this bag is not trying to replace backpacks or briefcases. As you notice from the photos, my non-retina 13 inch MacBook Pro was almost struggling to fit since the leather strap that goes over it was a bit short in length. If you are lugging around an iPad or smaller laptop, no need to worry. In addition to my MacBook Pro, I managed to fit three full folders and a small textbook and of course my phone, wallet, a couple pens, and keys in the provided spaces. For the intended use, which is the carry your everyday items in minimal simplicity, it just about hits a home run.
AESTHETIC
I personally really like the aesthetic of this bag. It is simple with clean lines and quality brass hardware to compliment the nice brown color of the leather. I do not usually wear a suit and tie, but I imagine it would look professional yet subtle with this pairing. This is a great all around bag ideal for business, school, or trips to the coffee shop.
CONCLUSION
This is the Minimal Carry, with an emphasis on the Minimal. In my opinion, any product that can lessen the amount of stuff we carry around with us is a plus. After spending some time with the Crushed Leather Carry and seeing how it works with my schedule, I can really appreciate a bag like this. It is well constructed, classic looking, and forces me to just take what I need when I head off to class. Once in hand, this bag certainly impressed me and is deserving of a consideration in your next leather bag purchase. The Crushed Leather Co Minimal Carry can be purchased for $195 for a limited time, then the price jumps to $275. As far as I can tell from my time with the Minimal Carry, this is a fair price point for a bag with a Triple Lifetime Guarantee. The bag is available for purchase through Crushed Leather Company’s website.
Looking good is the last thing on your mind when it’s freezing out and you can’t feel your fingers and toes. If you’ve lived in the northern tier of the continental United States, you have an acute understanding of the meaning of the word “winter”. As we get further into December and closer to the New Year, I’m pretty ecstatic that Wilsons Leather asked me to review their Contemporary Lamb Topper Coat. Given that the last few weeks in Spokane have been filled with snow, wind, and cold weather, it was a perfect time to give the jacket thorough consideration as a winter coat.
About
Sometimes the company says it best. In this case, we’re going to let Wilsons Leather tell you a little bit about them:
Wilsons Leather is a leading specialty retailer of quality accessories and outerwear. Currently operating under two formats, we offer fashion and value through an assortment of designer brands and special purchases for both men and women. Categories include outerwear and accessories such as handbags, briefcases and travel items. While holding tight to our leather roots, we also carry an assortment of additional fabrications such as wool, cotton and faux-leather to give our customers more options. Our e-commerce site offers an extension of our store experience and is intended to increase brand awareness.
Wilsons Leather has been around for a long time and understands the business of providing quality leather goods at prices appealing to leather enthusiasts.
Construction
The outer shell of the jacket is genuine chrome-tanned lambskin, with Thinsulate® insulation and a polyester interior liner. The image on the Wilsons Leather web site boasts an open-slit pocket on the left chest, but you won’t find one on this jacket (the description on the site indicates that pocket doesn’t exist either). That leaves you with two open flap pockets four buttons on each cuff, a 3-button placket, and a slit tail to allow for easy movement.
The stitching is black, non-contrasting, polyester thread that I found to be well done without any loose threads or uneven stitching, something I’d expect in a jacket of this caliber and price range. Overall weight is 3 pounds, 5 ounces (1.48 kilograms), making it light in its class for 3/4-length leather jacket designed for colder temperatures.
Function
A jacket like this is going to serve dual purposes: keeping you warm and looking good. It succeeds on both accounts. I spent an hour walking outside in 20º (F) weather in downtown Spokane, and felt comfortable; I wasn’t sweating, and wasn’t cold. It fit well over the sweater I was wearing without constriction. It fits to a few inches above my knees comfortably, without restricting any movement due to the slit tail in the back.
One concern I have is that the jacket opens into a “V” about 3/4 of the way up without the possibility of further closure. Should you find yourself in the middle of downpour or snowstorm, that part of your suit or sweater is going to get wet. This is a traditional design for many coats like this, so a scarf would be one easy way to keep the snow or rain out.
The two front pockets (remember there is no breast pocket) will let you hold a wallet and phone without making unsightly bulges in the jacket, though a ring of keys or pair of mittens might be too much. Due to the angle of the pockets, you can’t really use them to keep your hands warm, but they will provide great security for anything you place in them.
Aesthetic
The first time I wore this coat, I was impressed with how it fit my frame. In coats, a size large will often feel tight across my shoulders, but this topper gave me plenty of room while conforming to my body type. Made of lambskin, you can’t help but notice the soft feel of the outer shell. With a coat this size, you might expect it to be heavy, but thanks to the Thinsulate® layer, the jacket remains light while you stay warm. The buttons on the coat are large and non-contrasting, meaning you’ll be able to manipulate them even when wearing gloves.
The overall look of the jacket is very professional, and will match well with your suit or business casual attire. Paired with a nice scarf and gloves, you’ll have no worries about staying warm and looking good at the same time.
Conclusion
I really do like the Contemporary Lamb Topper Coat, even having experienced the aforementioned snow attacking the open “V” design of the jacket. I really should have had a scarf on that day in the first place. The quality of the jacket is quite good, with nice stitching, materials, and overall construction. This jacket isn’t one you’re going to wear while you’re out chopping wood, but will lend itself admirably to your business formal/casual wardrobe.
With Wilsons Leather, you’re never going to pay the full MSRP. At the time of this review, the jacket lists on their site for $569.99, marked down from $850.00. With the site-wide 60% off sale going on, that brings the price down to $342.00. Some savvy shoppers who have access to a Wilsons Leather outlet may be able to wrangle an even better deal. For a coat of this size and quality, that is right in the ballpark of what you should be expecting to pay.
With proper care, this jacket will last you for the years to come. Always hang it up, dry clean only when needed, and don’t let it get wet. It’s the basics of leather care, but these caveats will serve you well when caring for your expensive leather garments.
Ekster was founded in Rotterdam and inspired by a bird called the “Magpie”, also known as an “Ekster” in the Netherlands. Magpies are often referred to as “thieving magpies” due to their tendency to track down shiny objects such as jewelry and coins. This inspired their trackable wallet with anti-theft measures.
The Ekster Wallet is now on Kickstarter, featuring spring loaded card access, a slim profile, RFID/NFC blocking technology, and a tracker that synchronizes with your smartphone. Their goal has been met, but you can still take advantage of discount Kickstarter prices that are slated to ship mid-2016.
Tracking App
The tracker inside the Ekster wallet synchronizes with your iOs or Android phone via Bluetooth. The PROTAG app connects to your wallet — providing two-way protection. You’ll be alerted when you leave your wallet behind and can ring or locate it with the map function. Lost your phone? When pressing the reverse tracking button on your wallet, your phone will start ringing — even when on silent mode. Ekster’s crowd GPS network will help you find your wallet when out of range. When a PROTAG user is within range of your lost item, you receive a GPS update. Ekster’s tracker battery lasts up to six months and is easily rechargeable using the slim, built-in USB port.
RFID Blocking Credit and debit cards issued within the past decade have RFID and NFC technology embedded in them. Cards with this technology can be activated and duplicated from a distance, making your data vulnerable. The Ekster wallet blocks out all signals with its aluminum cardholder, keeping users protected against data theft.
Instant Card Access Ekster wallets provide storage space for up to eight cards in the Senate edition and up to 12 cards in the Parliament edition. Users can enjoy quick access for up to five cards with the click of a button using Ekster’s spring-loaded mechanism.
Ekster smart wallets are available for preorder on Kickstarter. Early-bird pricing starts at $79 for the Senate model and $89 for the Parliament model in either coffee brown or black leather. Check out their Kickstarter for more details.
Vince Lombardi described success in dozens of ways over the course of his 15-year career as an NFL head coach, notably remarking “The dictionary is the only place that success comes before work; work is the key to success, and hard work can help you accomplish anything.” Passion for the craft is an emotion that drives us to work hard and design with inspiration, whether on the field of play or in the workshop. Lombardi would also be the first to admit that you didn’t achieve success on your own; it takes a team of dedicated individuals with similar goals and mindsets.
If you’ll pardon the extended metaphor, let’s take a look at the Minimum Squared Black Leather Wallet With Deep Red Thread and find out if it meets these definitions of success. As with many in the leather craft, inspiration for the wallet came when the creators were unable to find anything on the market meeting his functional and aesthetic requirements for his engineering-cum-traveler lifestyle. Through a fusion of traditional leather work, modern technology, and carefully sourced materials, the husband-wife team of Sanela Kadric and Adrian Martinez, owner/creators of Minimum Squared (also known as m^2) created a minimalist wallet they hoped will appeal to a worldwide audience.
About m^2
Sanela and I emailed back and forth quite a bit during the review process, and one thing you’ll appreciate about m^2 is their extraordinary attention to detail. Their journey to create m^2 began when Adrian’s travels by plane and train had him considering the need for a front-pocket wallet that wouldn’t be uncomfortable while seated. Furthermore, he wanted the wallet to hold all of his credit and bank cards, as well as look good next to a business suit.
Adrian spent hours on the Internet looking for a wallet that would meet his criteria:
The wallet should have the footprint of a business card and not be much thicker than its contents
There should be no need to fold paper money to provide quick access and keep fortunes discreet.
The wallet should hold international currencies (Sterling pounds and Euro notes) as well as US dollars
The wallet should have the same card-carrying capacity as more traditional non-minimalist wallets
After spending his time and engineering skills coming up with a “paper and staples” design, he and Sanela arrived upon a prototype that would become the current version of the m^2 wallet. With Sanela’s love for crafts and her job as a language instructor, she was able to help bring their mutual design to market. After much positive feedback, they formed Minimum Squared. New to the business, it was at that point that she stated, “After all, we didn’t think my husband was the only one in the world looking for such a wallet, and all the hard work was already done. How wrong I was.”
Construction
The construction of the wallet reflects Adrian’s engineering background and Sanela’s eye for art. While the leather for the wallet is a single-piece, CAD-designed, laser cut and thinned material, the thread holding it all together is a hand-sewn Fil au Chinois waxed linen thread that goes from one corner to the other. After testing several materials and leathers, they chose Harmatan & Oakridge vegetable-tanned goat leather for the grain, feel, and availability of colors. It also tends to offer some stiffness after being laser-thinned, an important characteristic for any wallet.
While some eschew goat leather as being inferior to cowhide, this wallet is one of the finest, lightweight hides I’ve reviewed. On giving it the “smell test”, as I do with every product, I was rewarded with that rich smell of fine leather I’ve come to expect in top end leather goods.
The wallet measures 92 x 65 x 15 mm (3.6 x 2.56 x 0.59 inches) when filled with 10 cards and weighs in at a mere 0.9 ounces (25.2 grams). After I added 6 bank cards and a few paper dollars, the weight went up to a little over 2 ounces (56 grams).
Function
My favorite feature of the wallet is the ability to pull paper currency out of the wallet without having to remove the entire stack of bills. While I am quite often lacking the aforementioned fat stack due to teenagers and orthodontia, it is a thoughtful feature ensuring the privacy of your current financial status. You can also store up to 10 cards in the wallet in such a way that you end up not stressing the leather or stitching as much as a traditional billfold. Friends of Sanela’s who tested the wallet have put more than 10 cards in it, and while it continued to function admirably, Sanela mentioned a bit of heartbreak in not using the wallet in the spirit of its minimalist intent.
It closes neatly via a woven elastic braid that Sanela sourced from an area close to her home in Spain. Closing it in this manner helps keep the wallet thin and compact. While I would question the long term durability of any elastic item, the braid is well-constructed; time will tell how it holds up.
Aesthetic
The beauty of the wallet lies in the aforementioned attention to detail and the materials Sanela uses to make these wallets. She uses a 40-year old Olivetti Studio 44 typewriter to create the wallet labels (and write thank you notes to customers). The length to width ratio is 1.40, a little off of the golden mean (1.61), but not enough that you’d notice. The full-grain goat leather has a nice texture you might find in a high-end pair of goatskin boots. With the variety of leather colors and braids available, you should be able to find a pleasing color combination for your tastes.
I’d also note that the wallet is going to fit in your pocket with room for your smartphone or portable electronic device. It’s small, sleek footprint will fit well with any type of business suit, even those of the slim fit type.
Conclusion
Sanela and Adrian have merged the science of engineering and the love of craft to come up with a well-designed and beautiful minimalist wallet. This wallet is going to sit best on the inside pocket of a suit jacket, or carried in your business slacks. It is not a wallet that should be carelessly tossed into a bag or thrown on a table; you’ll want to take care of this wallet due to its good looks and price.
At $158 USD as of the time of this writing, you’ll want to educate yourself on what it takes to craft a wallet of this caliber: very high quality leather and thread for the materials, a saddle-stitched (by hand) one-piece layout, and a design that met all of Adrian’s specifications, and a beautiful minimalist look that is going to complement any suit in your wardrobe.
While I understand there are some staunch critics of goat leather, there are varying degrees in quality; m^2 has chosen a high-end brand, and it shows in the end result. If you’re undecided and on the fence about goat leather, give this wallet a look, and it may just change your mind.
For the attention to detail, the materials, and the overall look of the wallet, I do think the Minimum Squared Black Leather Wallet With Deep Red Thread is a good investment. However, if after purchasing the wallet, you find that you have no bills to put inside it, you might want to save a bit before making the purchase. After all, you’re going to have to buy that suit to go along with it.
As with everything in life, all good things must come to an end. Hopefully you’ve been following us through the first two parts of our interview with Kyle Koster of Range Leather. If you haven’t yet, you can take a look at Part 1 and Part 2, and follow-up with this third and final segment. While you’ll probably be just fine to read these interviews out-of-order, we wouldn’t want you to miss any references made in the previous couple of weeks. Enjoy this last piece, and if you have any questions, comments, or ideas for these interviews, please drop me a line at jerry@bestleather.org.
BL: When you make a product like the Range Mug, don’t you worry about the leather stretching over time?
KK: Yes. That’s why we went to the thicker leather as we could. Well, you could get a little thicker, but to work with that’s about what you want to do, so the 9, 10 ounce is going to stretch. It’s like a thick belt to avoid that. And then the second thing is with the wide mouth Mason jars as you can see it goes up, and then it hits a lip on the wide mouth Mason jar. There is no way they would ever stretch over that lip with 9, 10 ounce leather, so you’re always going to have a stop if that makes sense.
Listen to what Kyle has to say:
BL: With the mug being such a new product, can I assume you’ve tested them thoroughly before putting them on the market?
KK: My wife and I drink coffee for about 4 months every morning. The thing I love about them is you can drink both hot and cold liquids. You can put scalding hot coffee in there as hot as you can get, and the leather, it just like radiates super nice. Even on the ceramic mug there is no way you can put your hand right to it right away, and with the thick leather on there it is just great. It conducts heat, almost like a hand warmer, a little hand warmer the way it’s radiating. That’s what it feels like. My wife sits there with both of her hands around hers in the morning. Obviously you can use it for to-go. You can put the lid on, and the Ball Mason jars are fully sealed. You can put water in it, throw it in your pack, bag, whatever you want. It won’t leak, so that’s the nice part.
Listen to what Kyle has to say:
BL: The widemouth jar looks cool, but isn’t kind of a hassle to use a lid that is only supposed to be sealed once (if you used it for canning)?
KK: Yeah, they tell you on canning you’re supposed to use it just one time, but not necessarily. That’s more about the pressure when you’re canning and keeping the seal for botulism and stuff. I’ve beat up lids, and they still hold good. You can just tighten harder on this outside piece.
The other thing we are doing is, actually just a couple days ago – there’s a company called Cuppow which makes an after-market lid which is like a spout basically. The way it works, you remove the outer ring, then you replace the flat ball part with their after-market spout, and then you twist back on the outer ring. I just talked to them, and we are going to make that available to our Kickstarter backers at a discounted price. So you can add that on.
The nice part about that is it’s essentially like having a lid on your to-go coffee cup. It’s very similar, but it’s a hard plastic piece. That makes it easier to drink out of, depending on what you’re doing, especially coffee. Then you can avoid taking the lid on and off, which doesn’t really bother me. I kind of like the process of taking the lid on and off. But it’s just another option, and it’s cool, and we’re excited to be working with them, but you can look them up. It’s called Cuppow.
Listen to what Kyle has to say:
BL: How did you make sure this mug is going to stand up over time beside just using a heavy leather in the construction?
KK: One of the things I did – I wanted to see, so I sent one through the mail in an envelope, just wrapping it a couple times with just paper, doing normal packaging like we do, but not putting any bubble wrap or anything, and I sent it to someone else. “Did it make it there?” Just to see how durable the glass, because really you’re adding leather to a really durable product of a Mason jar.
Exactly. That’s the fun part about it. It’s a mug we set on our Kirkstarter page to accompany any adventure. It’s kind of like the tag we used, whether you’re going to work you can bring it, whether you are going hiking on a trail you could legitimately – obviously it’s not the most weight-efficient product. You’re just going out for a day hike or something like that. We went out, clipped it to a bag, went hiking with it, and it held up great. Just different things.
One of the big things was I knew that before we started selling them. We did some trial sales just to see what people thought of our design. I knew that 9, 10 ounces obviously would protect the glass better. It’s going to have a sturdier, more rigid handle.
One of the things I used Chicago screws to hold everything together, just essentially screws into itself and tightens, but that works really well. They’re solid. All the screws are solid brass, but these ones are plated because they’re kind of a brushed nickel color, but their stuff is not like zinc or anything like that. We get all our hardware from Buckleguy. We really enjoyed working with them.
Listen to what Kyle has to say:
BL: I see you’ve got something else there with you today. What exactly is that for those who can’t see what I’m seeing?
KK: This is a pipe pouch. …Occasionally. I actually got a custom order. Someone asked me, so I said, “Hey, I probably smoke my pipe 2 or 3 times a year. That actually is a great idea.” So I sat down and made this guy his own special design, and going back before, that’s a great way to be listening to your audience of what they want, doing custom orders for people. Then if they’re working well adding them to your own line as a leather company is a really great way to operate. You then have someone wanting something, you make it, you get feedback from them. This guy, who ordered it from me, liked it so much he referred me to some of the big online tobacco web sites trying to put me in contact with them to sell them on the sites because apparently in like pouches and cases they are either really really overpriced, even with not using great leather, or they’re just not great quality, or their design is really old school, kind of a box or something like…
Listen to what Kyle has to say:
BL: It also looks like you’ve brought some type of wallet with you, the one I’m going to review in the next few weeks. What are we looking at here?
KK: Yes. Here’s our minimalist wallet. You can kind of see; you can play with that one. Obviously that one’s not broken in. I’ve been using this one for a year. Obviously you can see the Horween leather and the rich patina that it gets. So the way I designed it – this one I did a lot of designs on because this was our first product we launched on Kickstarter.
I think the Kickstarter market is a little bit saturated on wallets. You’re getting tons and tons of wallets.
But the way I designed this one you can slide your thumb up on this side. All of our designs have angles built into them. Usually I try to incorporate angles, not curves because of the range and like mountains. That’s kind of the way we’re just subtly trying to work range.
It has an angled front so you can slide your thumb up. You can flip it over and slide your thumb out. I show people that. You slide your thumb up, flip it over, slide your thumb out. So you get both access to a vertical and a horizontal slot, and it’s just really easy to navigate.
I usually put my ID up front here, and then my credit card right there, and then it’s got a slot for cash on the back. Like I said, I’ve been carrying this for the last year. I have 6 cards in mine right now. You can hold more if you stuff it. But really I designed it as a minimalist wallet from 4 to 6. It does stretch, and it won’t stretch back, but the best way to look at is learn what you want to carry, and then carry that, and you won’t have any problems.
Listen to what Kyle has to say:
BL: It looks like it’s designed to be carried in your front pocket; not the back like a billfold if I’ve got it right…
KK: It is, a front pocket. When we do shows – the minimalist wallet – people come up – “I’ve been looking for a minimalist wallet.” The best part about this with the whole hand stitch all the way around is this is going to last forever. You can see the wear and the patina that mine has after a year of carry. The edges are all just gorgeous. I tell people it takes about 2 weeks to really break in so you can get that slide with your thumb. In our Kickstarter project the first one we did you actually link up to the slide and to see that. It really is easy to navigate. I won’t carry anything else as I design other wallets.
We have bi-folds and stuff like that. Even at shows people will be wanting to purchase a bi-fold which is a much more expensive wallet because a lot more time. I’m like, seriously though, think, look at this wallet…
Listen to what Kyle has to say:
BL: All right – the burning questions I’ve been waiting to ask – how expensive is it, really, to live in Hong Kong?
KK: So the cheapest when I looked at it, the cheapest room I could find was like 100 feet by 140 feet, or sorry, 10 by like 12 or 14, so you’re looking at 140 square feet which is like a box.
Listen to what Kyle has to say:
BL:And by “cheapest”, what are you shelling out every month for rent?
KK: This was the cheapest district in Hong Kong. The district is called Wan Chai. A lot of these places you would be living above; I had friends who had to do it because the price of living above night clubs and brothels and things like that. That is literally the cheapest district you can find in Hong Kong – sorry I have to convert from Hong Kong dollars to US, 900 to 1000 dollars for something like that, maybe 800, just expensive.
There are people who pay in rent in Hong Kong, and these aren’t mortgages, upwards of 30 to 40 thousand US dollars a month. These are in buildings. Everything there is apartments in a building. Maybe the top floor of a building would cost that. That is just crazy.
Listen to what Kyle has to say:
BL: Did you have any thing left over at the end of the month so you didn’t starve?
KK: Really that’s what is at a premium. Just briefly, there is a difference between the local. If you live and eat and just kind of maneuver as a local it’s really actually cheap, but If you go into the western side of things everything is going to be crazy expensive like that.
For me as a youth pastor I lived on the local side which I enjoyed much more like eating local food. For lunch you could go to a western restaurant and spend 40 or 50 bucks, or you could go to a Chinese lunch box shop under a bridge and spend $3.50 and get like more food than you would want, probably loaded with MSG, but that is okay.
Listen to what Kyle has to say:
BL: After everything we’ve talked about, I can only guess that being an entrepeneur and artist runs in your family.
KK: My grandmother always says to me, “Oh, you’re an entrepreneur; you know, Uncle Robert, he was an entrepreneur as well.” I think as for like the musical stuff. There are some musical people in my family. I don’t know. I’ve never really thought about it all that much. But I do think the artist side has definitely helped in design of products.
I also learned graphic design early on because I learned right away that if you’re going to have a company, and I would encourage anyone that has a company to learn graphic design. It will save you so much money and time on stuff and photography, just kind of learn that whole package. I took classes on lynda.com. It has tutorials. Spend the time as an entrepreneur to learn it because it will help you so much. It’s incredible.
Listen to what Kyle has to say:
BL: How do you keep it all together – life, family, and business…your sanity?
KK: We have a sign we put at our booth; it’s from First Thessalonians in the Bible. It says aspire to live quietly, mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands. I don’t think it means, Paul is not saying go live in the mountains in a shack by yourself and just build something. I think he’s saying kind of keep your nose out of other people’s problems and distractions and all the worldly things that can pull us in different directions and that aren’t glorifying to God, not necessarily to command everyone, but like he’s encouraging them to work with their hands. I think definitely my wife and I have found a lot of satisfaction and contentment in that.
Listen to what Kyle has to say:
Remember, you can find out more about what is going on with Kyle and Range Leather on his web site at rangeleather.com. If you’d like to hear more programs like this, drop me a line at jerry@bestleather.org with your suggestions and ideas for future segments.
