IHG-035-TAN - Calf Folding Wallet - Tan
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Hello Guys and Girls
I decided to do a little review of my wallet and help contribute to this great forum. I’ve been in the background but never contributed too much despite me owning a few IH items.
I bought this wallet in July 2013, the first couple of images show it new and after a few days of use. There is also a photo of it at two years old, three years and four years. I always remember my boss at the time laughing when I showed him the new wallet, as the ‘Tan’ version is extremely white and a bit ‘glaring’ when fresh. It is also super hard when new. These attributes lend themselves well for the ageing process.
Over the years I’ve maybe conditioned the leather 2/3 times with some high street leather conditioner, cobblers cream. That said I had abused this wallet. Its been in typhoon type rains storms(in the Philippines, where I live), out hiking, the desert in Iraq (where I currently work). It’s been everywhere, every type of climate, and it’s been stretched and pulled in my daily routines sitting in my back pocket.
Recently I noticed the stitching was starting to fail on one of the corners, so I decided to give the wallet a bit of TLC (which it hasn’t had much of)
I didn’t take any before photos when I did this as I wasn’t planning to write a review, but after rereading this forum, I thought I need to share my experience with everyone who loves these wallets.
Some might find some of these steps are not to their taste, but one thing I’ve learnt about leather is that provided you don’t do anything silly it’s a very forgiving material. I’m a bit of a high-quality shoe fan, so I’ve transferred some of the cleaning techniques that I use to this wallet.
The Process.
1st – As this was a deep clean, I first used lukewarm water from a shower, and a mild face detergent and shoe brush, and scrubbed it gently. I then rinse it off with water. The wallet was left to dry for 2/3 days naturally. During this time, I had to bend it open and expose the areas that were taking longer to dry. You can be quite forceful with it when doing this.
2nd – I did a bit of makeshift stitch repair with the material I had available, it is not the best thread, but it will do till I can get something more substantial done, (which is a question of mine) Will IH accept these wallets for any repair? Please reply if so! I also burnt off (with a lighter)all the original stitching that had started to fray and go stringy.
3rd – Now that the wallet was repaired and dry I used a very fine emery cloth and gently roughed up the outside of the wallet to help remove some more grime. This mildly abrasive action is a controversial step, but I wanted to try, if done carefully I think it is fine for this process - I’ve never done this before. It worked ok, and the leather not damaged.
4th – I used Chamberlain No two formula to further clean the wallet. This product is suitable for penetrating the leather and lifting any crap out of there. I was surprised that even after doing the above, there was so much crud that came of the wallet. I stopped after 3 or 4 applications, but there was still stuff coming off.
5th – I would typically use the Chamberlain number one now, but this time as the wallet extensively cleaned I wanted something more penetrating. So I used Chamberlain number 3. This solution is more for 'weatherproofing' , but it is good at penetrating the leather. I will add that I used shit loads!! I Soaked it, inside and out, smooth side and rough side of the leather, inside the card slots, everywhere, I probably applied 4/5 Times.
After the above, I cannot tell you how supple the wallet is, it feels great. The images don’t do it justice. The penetrating oil I used means that it has become quite dull and dark, but I know after a few months of use it will start to shine again, and the patina will redevelop. I understand that some people would prefer not to alter the colours that the wallet picks up, but mine had become very dark, and I felt it needed a deep clean.
Indeed, for me, it has been a big learning journey when you start to get high-quality leather products, and people will always have different ways to do things.
I will add that I don’t usually use the removable centre cardholder, I find that when I use it can contribute to the death of cards inside due to the gap, it leaves when you sit down. For the time being, I decided to reunite these.
I'll post some pictures after a few months to see how it beds in again. The photos now don’t look good, and it is more a preservation thing.
Id love to know if IH is prepared to receive these for repair, so far mine the only little weakness is the stitching, but this is seven years of severe abuse.
Anyways I just thought I would share my experience. I love this wallet so much, and it is hard for me to put into words when I speak to people about it- most people think I’m sad! Or a bit of weirdo for having so much love for a wallet- but I know you guys will appreciate the story and photos. Enjoy!
I’m also happy to hear any advice or criticism of any of my cleaning steps.
I've put the latest photos in a separate post because the file size is too big
1st Photo - Currently worn stitching (7 Years use)
2nd photo - Brand New 2013
3rd & 4th Photo - Few days use
5th Photo - 2 years old
6th Photo - 3 years old
7th Photo - 4 years oldCarlos
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After the deep clean and stitch repair. The wallet doesn't look good right now as it's saturated in oils and looks dark and dull. The feel of it is incredible, super super soft. After a few months in the back pocket the looks will come back
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Backfilled - no money though! Ill probably stop using the centre cardholder, I find it becomes too big for me and also has a tendency to kill cards
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Soaked in Chamberlains number 3. How it looks inside. The wallet will come back to life once it beds in again
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This is where most of the wear and tear came from
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Thanks for the replies, I know this wallet is still a baby compared to some others out there! I still want to get the stitching properly repaired by a specialist. Can anyone recommend somewhere in the world that specialises in proper stitch repairs? I would prefer if it went back to IH, I don't trust anyone else. I always like sending my stuff back to the OEM.
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I got this wallet around Feb of this year in natural. Haven't really 'used' it much as I haven't been as able to leave the house.
At the same time I got the IHB-06 belt in natural, both my first IH leather goods and I gotta say they are pretty much unbeatable. Without question going to be my go to for many many years.
I wanted to confirm what tannery this wallets leather is from? Is it Tochigi too? The belt is coming a long much faster than the wallet, probably because I've used it slightly more.
Top stuff.
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is the IHB-06 leather not from Tochiji @Giles ?
I assumed it was because the IHB-08 is, or at least it says it is in the first post here?
https://www.ironheart.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=11085.0
"The successor to the ever-popular IHB-02, this time made from Tochigi leather." -
All good mate
Yeah I thought the wallet might be different.
Either way the leather for both is incredible.
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Just ordered mine. Cant wait to see it!
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The tannery for the wallet is not Tochiji. It's probably from another Himeji based tannery, but I do not know which one.
EDITED: Beacuase I am stupid
Giles is there any way u could find out more about the leather? Thickness, weight, etc…
I would love a belt made out of this leather, I haven’t seen any leather look quite as good after years of use, especially the shine it has. Not even my old Redmoon belt has that.
Thanks in advance.
Here are some pics of mine. Probably close to 7-8 years. I picked it up years ago from a fellow forum member, looked pretty new when I got it.
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