How long is the useful life of a wallet? 5 signs of a new wallet and 3 tips for choosing a durable wallet
Table of contents
- When is the time to replace your wallet? How many years can it be used?
- 1.1 How many years can a genuine leather wallet be used? Lifespan is about 5 to 10 years
- 1.2 How many years can a synthetic leather wallet be used? Lifespan is about 2 years
- How to distinguish between synthetic leather and genuine leather
- 5 redemption signals
- 3.1 Damage to metal parts
- 3.2 Multiple scratches or falling threads
- 3.3 Significant fading or cracking
- 3.4 Corner abrasions
- 3.5 Deformation or deformation
- 3 Key Points to Choose a Durable Wallet
- 4.1 Leather products with edge treatment
- 4.2 Material of leather - high-grade horse leather or cow leather
- 4.3 Production of wallets - products with fewer parts
- Summary: The selection method determines the service life of the wallet
When is the time to replace your wallet? How many years can it be used?
How long has it been since you started using your wallet?
Some people say that the useful life of a genuine leather wallet is about 5 to 10 years. This article will focus on:
・The lifespan of wallets ・Signs of replacement time ・Tips for choosing a long wallet that can be used for a long time
By knowing the keys to durability, you can enjoy your genuine leather wallet while expecting it to age and discolor over time.
How many years can a genuine leather wallet be used? Lifespan is about 5 to 10 years
As we mentioned at the beginning, the lifespan of genuine leather wallet fabric is about 5 to 10 years.
But there is no exact number on the actual age of leather.
If used properly, you can even use it for 10 years.
The wallet in the picture is a Tochigi leather long wallet that I have been using for half a year.
Despite my daily use, it retains its shape and has aged well over time.
Its luster gradually increases.
Genuine leather wallets are a great choice for those who want a "quality item that will last them a long time."
How long do synthetic leather wallets last? Lifespan is about 2 years
Synthetic leather is a word that is often heard in daily life, but what kind of material is it?
Synthetic leather refers to a man-made material that has a texture similar to real leather.
This material is usually labeled as "PVC", "PU", etc., and is sometimes called "PU leather" or "imitation leather".
It does not use animal leather, but coats a resin layer on fiber cloth.
The following are the characteristics of synthetic leather:
・Low durability (easy to break and peel off)
・Does not change over time (even if maintained, it will still deteriorate over time)
Synthetic materials, such as polyurethane, have the property of combining with moisture in the air and deteriorating.
Therefore its lifespan is about 2 years.
Since synthetic leather has lower durability, it has a shorter lifespan and is prone to deterioration.
How to distinguish between synthetic leather and genuine leather
If you are replacing your wallet, of course you want to choose a genuine leather wallet that is 5 to 10 years old.
However, due to advances in technology, it has recently become more difficult to distinguish between genuine leather and synthetic leather.
When you don't know the name of the raw material, you can check the material to distinguish between genuine leather and synthetic leather.
The following are the characteristics of genuine leather and synthetic leather:
- fold
Synthesis: wrinkles with resinous relief Dermis: wrinkles similar to those of human skin
- cut off
Cut surface of Tochigi leather
Synthetic leather: the cross-sections are coated with dye in order to hide the cloth and resin Genuine leather: fine fibers and coarse fibrous mesh layers
- pores
Synthetic leather:
Through the embossing process on the surface, it looks like real leather and therefore has no pores.
Genuine Leather:
Despite the treatment during the tanning process, the pores are still visible in bright light
5 signals during the buying and selling period
A wallet is an item that is often carried and used frequently in both work and private life.
It can be embarrassing to use a wallet that is prone to wear and tear.
Using a worn-out wallet can leave a bad impression and is said to affect your financial luck, so you need to be careful.
Next we’ll go over five signs that it’s time to change your wallet, so be sure to check them out.
If one of the five applies to your situation, it is recommended to consider changing your wallet.
Damaged metal parts
Various metal accessories are used in wallets such as zippers, clasps, hooks, etc. After long-term use, there may be problems that require repair, such as "the zipper cannot be closed", "the handle falls off", "the buckle creates a gap", "the hook cannot be closed". Additionally, the color of metal fittings may wear off. If the problem is minor, you can get it repaired and continue using it, but if the wallet has recurring problems, it's recommended to consider replacing it.
Multiple scars and loose threads
Threads falling off and some scarring of the dermis are normal changes of age and may not be noticeable. If there are a lot of scars, this could be a sign of deterioration. Also if any lint comes off, the leather in that area will begin to deteriorate. If there are many scars or loose lint, then this is the time to consider replacement.
Significant fading or cracking
When the cracks in a cow leather wallet are used for a period of time, the color fades, the luster disappears, and the cracks become obvious. This is a sign that the leather is approaching its lifespan. Maintenance with special care creams may sometimes improve the condition. If there is still no improvement after maintenance, you should realize that this is a sign of end of life.
Corner abrasions
The corners of the cow leather wallet are scratched. When the wallet is in use, the corner parts will wear out. Over time, the corners may become discolored or damaged. While corner scrapes can be repaired at a professional repair shop, sometimes the repair may not be complete depending on how the wallet is made. If the repair costs are too high, it may be time to consider replacement.
deformation and deformation
The part that should be straight is deformed. When wallets lose the stiffness of the leather and become worn, it is best to replace them. If a lot of contents such as cards and change are put in, it may cause the shape to deform. When stored beyond its original capacity, the leather will stretch and deform according to its shape. Please try to remove the contents and check the shape of the wallet. If the wallet is out of shape, then this is the time to replace it.
3 Tips for Choosing a Long-Lasting Leather Wallet
The sides of the leather are edged
The edge treatment of horsehide leather wallet TIDYmini The edge of the leather is the part that is most likely to wear, so the edge treatment is to strengthen this part. This treatment provides a better appearance and prevents hair from standing up and fraying in contact areas, allowing for long-term use. As you can see from the horse leather mini wallet in the photo, the sides of the leather are not bare, but polished, can you tell?
Bare Tochigi leather (cow leather)
The unedged section is shown in the photo. Wallets that are not edge-treated are difficult to use for extended periods of time due to direct exposure to damage. When you are shopping for a leather wallet in a store, be sure to check the sides of the leather.
Material of leather - horsehide or cowhide
Horsehide Due to the variety of leather materials used in genuine leather wallets, the choice of material is very important. Please choose horse or cow leather. Particularly strong among genuine leathers is "cordodon" from the horse's buttocks. It is highly valuable and about 3 times more durable than cow leather. By the way, the price range of horsehide wallets is 40,000 yen to 80,000 yen.
Tochigi leather (cowhide)
Since it is high-grade leather, those with limited budget can choose cowhide.
Making a wallet - choose one with fewer parts
Horse leather TIDY
When we talked about signs of replacement, we mentioned that parts like zippers and hooks are used in wallets. The more parts used in a wallet, the more maintenance and repairs it will require. Wallets with fewer parts, on the other hand, are more durable as they are less damaged and easier to maintain. For example, this TIDY horse leather wallet uses zippers only on the coin pocket and exterior structure.
When you think of horse leather, you may think of a shiny and smooth appearance. This is because horse leather is usually made by peeling off the leather surface and performing special treatments. Therefore, only a very small part can be used, and it is known as precious leather.
However, leather waste is also a fact. In this case, we feel that the leather is too wasteful. In Hallelujah we have retained the texture and strength of horsehide, intentionally without any special treatment at all. This simple design uses very few metal ornaments and is a horsehide wallet that is particularly sturdy among leathers and can be used for a long time.Summarize
How many years a leather wallet can be used depends on the method you choose. How many years a leather wallet can be used depends on the "leather side", "material", "production" and other wallet types. If the wallet you are currently using shows signs of damage such as "damage to the metal part", "multiple scratches or threads starting to fall off", "color fading or cracking", "scratches on the corners", "shape deformation or collapse", etc., it is recommended to consider replacing it. If you consider these tips for choosing a durable wallet when shopping, you'll be able to enjoy your wallet longer.Please take this opportunity to check your wallet.
