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The Leather Shop Rivet Wallet 2 Review – $57

The editorial team at BestLeather sees more wallets than just about any other type of leather product. In spite of the volume, we still enjoy them – especially when we get wallets with unique designs, features, or those that utilize an innovative type of leather. Now that we’ve been reviewing products for quite some time now, we’re also in the position to see original designs improved upon. Such is the case with The Leather Shop’s original Rivet Wallet – we now get the opportunity to review the Rivet Wallet 2, which contains some new features and is based on a solid, unique well-respected design.

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About The Leather Shop

Based in Seattle, Washington, The Leather Shop is a collaboration of creative leather artisans and is the home of “MOOSE BRAND” products. They are focused on creating limited product runs of superior quality. Their mantra “time passes, leather endures” is visible in all of the products they proudly and expertly produce.

“Tough, Resilient, Durable, Exclusive, these words epitomize what we work hard to create.” – quoted from their website, this aptly sums up what you’ll experience with a leather piece sporting the Moose Brand.

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Construction

In keeping with the original design, the Rivet Wallet 2 is stitch-less. It’s created from two pieces of quality, USA saddle leather. It’s 100% handmade, hand dyed, glazed, and edge burnished. It’s held together with two heavy-duty brass rivets prominently placed on the front of the wallet.

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When you take the time to really inspect the wallet, you’ll gain more appreciation for the design and handmade construction techniques used on it. The leather is scored in the sections that wrap around to create more flexibility. It’s an ingenious design, exhibits meticulous craftsmanship, and creates additional visual allure.

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Function

The big change from the original Rivet Wallet to the Rivet Wallet 2 is the addition of a second interior pocket. And, the new wallet has a slightly larger footprint at 3″ H x 4.3″ L x .5″ W. It still fits nicely in your hands and even when fully loaded is not bulky in the least. It is nice to have two separate pockets. If you’re like me, there are cards you use more frequently (debit card and loyalty cards) and other cards that don’t get used as often. So, having them in two separate pockets keeps you better organized and allows you to locate those more frequently used cards in an easier manner.

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Aesthetic

It looks fantastic. And, it gets a lot of attention. Baristas notice, family members notice, cashiers notice…and they all ask about it. It’s a unique design and expertly crafted. As such, it gleans comments.

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I received the yellow version and truth be told, I like it. I generally stick with browns or black when it comes to leather, but the Rivet Wallet 2 has caused me to expand my preferences. It’s more of a golden tan/yellow color, but still it’s different for me and I have enjoyed it so far. The Rivet Wallet is also available in tan.

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Conclusion

The Leather Shop Rivet Wallet 2 is a superior wallet choice. While they still make the original Rivet Wallet, the 2 is definitely an upgrade and well worth the additional funds. It’s handmade in the USA, features a solid design, amazing craftsmanship, and will last forever. It definitely qualifies as a Buy It For Life item and will serve you well for many, many years to come.

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The Leather Shop Palm Wallet Review – $120

the Palm Wallet by the Leather Shop

The Leather Shop handcrafts quality leather products; marketing their products under the Moose brand in their online store. They make wallets, bags, belts and cases – Handmade in the USA, from American leather. In this review, we are going to look at the Palm Wallet which is in their series of stitchless wallets and a sister to the Rivet Wallet).

The Palm Wallet by the Leather Shop
The Leather Shop is a collection of craftsmen working in Georgetown section of Seattle. In two previous episodes, I have already discussed why Georgetown is a great place to find craftsman arts (here and here). It is only natural you should find the Leather Shop in Georgetown.

CONSTRUCTION

The Palm Wallet is made from a single piece of leather. This is why it is stitch-less. There are six brass rivets that hold the wallet together in strategic stress locations. The top folds down and tucks behind a leather strap – which is not part of the one-piece construction. The leather is thick and firm and the edges have been burnished. This is an important point because, so often, small wallets are made from thin leather and the edges go unburnished; but it is in the details like these that set the quality of the work produced by the Leather Shop above the average.

It has three compartments. At first, I was disappointed my business cards did not fit in the front compartment. But credit and gift cards fit well in the front and there is room for a dozen business cards in the back compartment. It is no harder to pull business cards from the back as it is to remove gift cards from the front. So, it works out fine. The middle compartment is big: while you may have a difficult time stuffing power tools in it, it is large enough to carry a lot of hardware, change or, as in my case, more department store and gift cards.
You can pack the Palm Wallet full and it still fits well in the pocket

FUNCTION

The Palm Wallet carries a lot of stuff. Right now in my wallet, I carry thirteen gift and department store cards, a CDL medical certificate, ten one-dollar federal reserve notes, two papers with notes, a spare truck key and a dozen business cards – and I could probably squeeze a couple more credit or gift cards in if needed. I always carry a lot of stuff but you won’t convince me to carry a man purse. The Palm Wallet is as close to a man purse as you will ever get me.
Palm Wallet instead of man purse

You might be wondering where I carry my driver’s license: in the Rivet Wallet, I carry my driver’s license, five credit and gift cards and a wad of federal reserve notes. The Rivet Wallet and the Palm Wallet make a complementary duo that fit well together in the front pocket. Between the two, I always have room to save a receipt or stuff a note for later. Or, maybe one of these days the Leather Shop will come out with the Mega Wallet that will hold more than the Palm Wallet and the Rivet Wallet put together.
the Palm and Rivet Wallets Together

AESTHETIC

The Palm Wallet comes in a nice black box with the company logo in white. The box is nice enough to be a gift box and I think the idea is that the wallet will make a nice gift.

When writing about the Rivet Wallet, I wrote, “It has a profile that is slim and smooth and it feels comfortable in the hand or the pocket…” At the time, I did not know the Leather Shop’s website described the Palm Wallet as “comfortable in the hand.” But it is true: the Rivet Wallet is comfortable in the hand and the Palm Wallet is even more so as it fills the hand and in that respect, one could say it is the ergonomic model.
The Palm Wallet and the Rivet Wallet

The wallet in this review is yellow. Other colors available are blue, green, red and black. The design is simple and utilitarian – the Leather Shop describes it as minimalistic. While it is not bling, it is pleasing to the eye. The wallet looks strong and healthy and you know it is made for life. The PalmWallet is 4.25 inches wide by 2.75 inches tall by 1.25 inches deep. Big – but not fat.

BESTLEATHER CONCLUSION

It is the conclusion of this writer the Leather Shop produces fine goods that can be trusted to last a long time – and in the case of their wallets, a life-long time. If you are looking for something to carry the bare minimum while you go out on the town – this one might be too big. But if you are looking for a wallet that will hold a lot of stuff – the Palm Wallet will handle the task. The Palm Wallet holds more than any other small wallet I have tested. It looks good and feels good – and it goes well with the Rivet Wallet. The product is good.
The Palm Wallet by the Leather Shop

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The Leather Shop Rivet Wallet Review – $45

rivet wallet

There are a lot of small, leather wallets on the market, but none are as unique and comfortable as The Leather Shop’s Rivet Wallet. The Leather Shop is a team of craftsmen located in the Georgetown District of Seattle. We wrote about them when reviewing their MacBook Pro Bag, which continues to be an excellent bag for carrying my computer and a few papers – even a folder of papers.

The Georgetown District is a forerunner in Seattle for marketing artisan crafts and goods. So, it is fitting you will find The Leather Shop here.

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CONSTRUCTION

The Rivet Wallet is cut from a single piece of high quality, saddle leather. It is handmade in the USA from American leather. When producing products from saddle leather, The Leather Shop only uses the single bend parts of the cowhide, which are the strongest parts. The wallet is dyed, glazed, and edge burnished – and this is all done by hand.

The Rivet Wallet gets its name from the riveting at two stress points – there is no stitching. The rivet design is unique and, besides adding to the quality of the wallet, the rivets look good. The Leather Shop says their “goal is to create long lasting, high quality leather goods” and after using the Rivet Wallet for a while, it is certain the wallet will last a long time.

The Rivet Wallet is approximately four inches wide by three inches tall and one-half inch deep. It weighs approximately one and one-half ounces or forty-two grams. So, you can see, it is very compact and light – but it has the durability of high quality leather.

FUNCTION

Many of the thin leather wallets on the market are good for traveling light but the Rivet Wallet works well as an everyday wallet, largely due to its pocket-type design. It has a single compartment and has enough room for several cards and some cash and coin. Even when it is full, it has a comfortable feel in the hand.
a full rivet wallet

AESTHETIC

The Rivet Wallet has a smooth and slim profile that is stitch-less and it has the unique rivet design. It comes in Tan, Yellow and Natural. The colors are enhanced by the glazing, which is done by hand.

The wallet is more than well crafted; it is a work of art. It has a handsome appearance and fits well in a casual or professional environment. People have commented on its appearance – and I tell them of its usefulness.

Here is a photo of The Leather Shop’s MacBook Pro Bag with the Rivet Wallet – and my dog, Miles. Miles loves high quality leather products – and he knows these are not for chewing. Miles approves of the Rivet Wallet, especially when I carry a treat inside for him.
Leather Shop MacBook Case and Miles

BESTLEATHER CONCLUSION

The Leather Shop’s Rivet Wallet is a well crafted product that is durable and will look good for years. It holds a lot – more than most thin wallets – due to the pocket-type design. It has a profile that is slim and smooth and it feels comfortable in the hand or the pocket, whether empty or full. You can use it everyday and take it with you whether you are going casual or professional. The Best Leather conclusion is the product is good and well worth the small investment.

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The Leather Shop MacBook Pro Bag – $220

Leather Shop MacBook Case

The Leather Shop is a small company of leather designers and craftsmen in the Georgetown District of Seattle, Washington. This is one of the oldest parts of town and, second only to the Fremont District, it is the hangout of the most creative. The craftsmen at this shop pride themselves on creativity and making long lasting products. All the leather, hardware and labor that go into any product manufactured by The Leather Shop are Made in USA. If you are looking for a slim way to transport your MacBook Pro, you will be pleased with what The Leather Shop has to offer.

Leather Shop MacBook Case Weave

CONSTRUCTION

The MacBook Pro Bag is unique among all brands. The Leather Shop makes the case out of one piece of Horween Chamois leather. The sides are woven together – no stitching; just woven leather. They call this their innovative, stitch-less design. The woven sides add cushion to the contents as well as give the bag its unique look.

The shoulder strap is made of dark brown chromexcel leather and stamped with their website URL (theLeatherShop.com). The stress points are reinforced with brass rivets. It is adjustable for purse length, man bag length and briefcase length. The brass hardware attachments are solid cast brass. If you want to use the bag as a cover and carry it in a briefcase or backpack, the strap is completely detachable.

The cover is held shut with two solid-cast brass snap locks. The cover is held in place by brass grommets fitted between the internal and external sides of the snap locks.

Leather Shop MacBook Case Buckle
The MacBook Pro Bag comes in three sizes:
13″ MacBook Pro is 13.5 x 9.5 inches and weighs approximately one pound.
13″ MacBook Pro Retina display is 13 x 9 inches and weighs less than one pound.
15″ MacBook Pro Retina display is 15 x 10.25 inches and weighs just over one pound.

FUNCTION

The computer slides in and out with ease, yet it is snuggly fit in the bag. I am able to slide in a manila folder that holds a dozen papers and a note pad, also. With the added load, the snap locks are still able to function well and I don’t need to apply any extra effort to make it so. The whole package, bag, and load are slim and trim and I am able to carry the basic essentials.

Leather Shop MacBook CaseThe carrying strap is adjustable to three lengths (as described previously). I have the strap set to briefcase length. This length seems to carry the computer most comfortably – and, I am not into purses – male or female. If you find you need to slide the carrying handle over your head so you can have your hands free, you will find the briefcase length is the best setting.

AESTHETIC

The Chamois leather has a comfortable, casual appearance and wears to a nice patina in time. Mine is already developing a nice tone and is very pleasant to look at. The braiding is the highlight of the MacBook Pro Bag and The Leather Shop says it is reminiscent of Native American style art.

The MacBook Pro Bag reviewed for this story is Tobacco, but it is also available in Maroon, Dark Olive and Tan. I like the look of the contrasting brass against the Tobacco, but they all are good colors.

Here the MacBook Pro Bag is shown with the Rivet Wallet by The Leather Shop and my dog, Miles. Miles enjoys quality leather products and approves of this review.
Leather Shop MacBook Case and Miles

BESTLEATHER CONCLUSION

The product is good, and this reviewer is very pleased with the MacBook Pro Bag by The Leather Shop. I will be using this bag for many years – or at least as long as I have a MacBook that fits this bag. It holds the computer snuggly, yet it is easy to insert or remove – and it holds additional papers and notepads, too. It is rugged and durable, yet it wears well and is stylish. I use it in a professional environment and it blends right in with business. The braids look good and receive a lot of comments. If you are looking for an affordable way to transport your MacBook Pro, the MacBook Pro Bag by The Leather Shop will serve you well.