Author: Aun

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Tanner Goods Legacy Cardholder Wallet Review

Back when I started getting into menswear in 2011-2012, the most recommended wallet was a Saddleback ID card holder. I still have that very same one. Front pocket wallets that were slim had a huge popularity then. No one wanted a large bifold wallet that could potentially give you back pain in the long run!

The first time I was able to feel a Tanner Goods Cardholder wallet was at Unionmade’s flagship in San Francisco. I noticed that the current version was made with a full cover flap instead of an angled flap piece that I had seen online.

I purchased the Tanner Goods Legacy Cardholder in Chestnut Dublin leather sometime in early 2015 for about 85$. It was the first time TG brought back the “angled design” now calling it Legacy Cardholder. To me, the cardholder with the angled flap is the iconic Tanner Goods piece. The Dublin cardholder started with very interesting characteristics such as tiger striping. The dublin leather felt very similar to Chromexcel but seemed to have more variation.

 

What’s cool about the design is that it’s made from only two pieces of leather. On the rear side there are two wrap around leather pieces from where you can store folded bills. The interior can support up to about 15 cards and will still even stretch to accomodate more (depends on the leather). You can also place cash in the interior with a bill folded in half once in either orientation.

What I love: Simple and iconic design. Quality leather and hardware. Made in the USA.

Ehh: Takes time to get used to a cardholder (looking for credit card within the stack of cards) but all cardholders essentially have this problem. Bills have to be folded in an “undesired” way – either folded twice to fit in the back or folded once and creased on the edge.

 

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Thrux Lawrence Drop Dopp Review

Stores that carry different “third party items” such as Railcar Fine Goods located in Monrovia, CA are often my favorite stores to visit. You get to feel the fabrics, pinch the thickness, and smell the aromas of different brands. I’ve been in and out of Railcar Fine Goods a few times, and this dopp kit on the shelving above the Red Wing Boots caught my eye. The listed price on the Railcar tag was 49$ (differs from the brand’s website of $149)

Thrux Lawrence is a company built upon the passion that goods should outlast you. The brand uses a THICK leather (8-9oz Horween leather) instead of the typical 3-4oz that Horween recommends for “bags”, and a 24oz canvas that supposedly is “anti-mildew”. Mildew? I’ve never had that as a problem for dopp kits…

Love: The bottom is leather lined, flesh side on the inside. Spills will leave a patina. Brass rivets. A handle to hang/carry. YKK zippers with a leather pull. Made in the USA.

Not fond of: I pretty much have to graze my hand against the zippered teeth when I reach in due to how robust/sturdy the bag is. Maybe once the leather “softens”, this won’t be as much of a problem! The logo branding is only seen on the interior bottom “#Thrux Lawrence”. The brand font could use some improvement to make it more memorable!

For now, I’m constantly trying to pry the zipper teeth apart to soften it a bit. I’ll use it to carry my camera flash!

One of the unique things about this bag is it has the double stitched leather alongside the zippered opening. The purpose of this is to keep the bag’s opening structure even . You commonly see this used as such on Filson’s Original Briefcases.

 

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Fluco Shell Cordovan Watch Strap Review

The first watch I purchased myself was in college – a Timex Easy Reader. A simple white watch face that shows the date and also the day which was useful in college haha! I bought a couple of NATO straps to go with it.

However, a problem with watch straps is that they get smelly easily. NATO straps are usually made of nylon and I’d have to scrub them with dishwashing soap at least once a week. The nylon straps emitted a strong odor from the dead skin and body oils that smelled… raunchy? Nylon just seems to absorb these smells quickly.

The reason I chose a shell cordovan watch strap is because shell cordovan is not a skin (like regular cowhide leather) but a fibrous muscle. At the time, what was the “cheapest” shell cordovan watch strap? A hidden gem German company called Fluco.

I purchased an 18mm Fluco Medium Brown Horween Shell Cordovan from eBay for about $73 USD shipped. I remember selecting the “padded” strap option which has flattened down quite significantly.  I’m familiar with Horween Shell Cordovan, as we all know and love. The strap brand new started off close to a whiskey caramel color. To this day I haven’t conditioned it with anything… other than my natural skin oils, dirt, faucet water, etc!

Love: Horween leather. Shell Cordovan. Minimal “stretch”. No residual smell. The patina. The price.

Not fond of: Excessive glue spilling out.

The smell is basically non-existant with this shell cordovan watch strap. I’d have to place the strap in front of my nose to smell something. Definitely would recommend this strap! Be sure to order the correct lug size to your watch face!