Thanks again for purchasing (or considering) a Leatherbound item!

 

We hope it will provide you many years of service. Please review the following suggestions to extend the life of your item and keep it looking great!

Note: Depending on the leather(s) you chose, your item may be a bit stiff at first. If so, it generally will just need a short break-in period to soften up.

 

Most leathers need little in the way of conditioning products, but will benefit greatly from preventative care.
  • Keep items away from hard or sharp objects like keys and coins as much as possible. Leather can be dented, scratched, or the wear, in general, will be accelerated.
  • Brush debris off with a horsehair or goathair brush regularly to keep the leather clean.
  • Avoid folding items past 180 degrees. It can cause irreversible wrinkling around the fold.
  • Don’t worry about the wear your item experiences like small scratches. They are inevitable, especially on vegetable tanned and smooth leathers. As your item ages, they will blend into the character of the leather and become part of a rich patina. 

For Wallets

  • Try to limit each card pocket to 1 card, and certainly don’t exceed 2. Larger pockets can accommodate more, but keeping it at or under 4 cards is best. This will keep pressure off the seams and minimize stretching.
  • Important: Please remember that leather will stretch to accommodate more cards or other items you put into pockets. For instace, if you put 2 cards in one pocket, it may be problematic to revert to carrying just 1 card in that pocket in the future.
  • Don’t sit on your wallet. It is well known by now that this is not good for your back, but it’s also not good for your wallet or your cards. If you carry your wallet in your back pocket, I’d suggest switching it to your front pocket while sitting down.

Conditioning Products

In addition to the above tips, some leathers may benefit from conditioning products. Unless indicated otherwise, I recommend 1909 Crème de Luxe from Collonil or Crème 1925 from Saphir. A horsehair or goathair brush is also needed to buff the leather. Please see specific recommendations below.

Note: The recommended care is performed before sending your item out, so there’s no need to do it yourself upon receipt.

Chèvre, Sherpa, and Matte Sharkskin

A very slightly damp cloth may be used for cleaning the surface. Leather creams may be used sparingly if desired. It’s not advisable to apply more than every several months.

Nubuck Sharkskin

Brush with a stiff bristled brush such as one made from boar hair or one with synthetic bristles. Do not use creams.

Pueblo

Do not use conditioning products on Pueblo until the leather is completely smooth, which depending on usage, likely will be a year or more. Once that happens, a cream can be used if you wish, but is not necessary. Note that it may change the feel of the leather.

Smooth Cowhide or Calfskin (Vono, Museum Calf, Buttero, Dakota)

These leathers love to be brushed. Feel free to (sparingly) use a cream every few months or so.

Baranil & Taurillon

These leathers are already very waxy, so you will not need to apply any products for quite some time. Brush generously as desired.

Shell Cordovan

Sparingly apply a cordovan-specific cream when desired and buff with a horsehair brush. I recommend the cream from Saphir. A natural wax, such as one made from jojoba and beeswax also works well. Do not use standard creams.

Epsom, Dauphin, and Saffiano

Clean with a damp cloth. You may very sparingly apply a cream if desired, but make sure to wait a little while before buffing to allow it to penetrate the surface.

Alligator and Crocodile

Use cream (sparingly) if desired. Reptile leather specific cream is recommended, but not essential.

Python

Let patina occur naturally. Avoid using creams..