Does anyone have experience with exotic leather wallets? (alligator, ostrich or other)

I've carried the same wallet for 25 years. It's time to get something new. I'm looking for something nice, but different.

My wife bought me a stingray wallet when we first got together. I’m okay with it, but it’s kind of not my style.
It is durable as can be. The inside is really soft leather, might be lamb, but the outside is stingray and it’s super durable.
I can’t say much more than that.

I have a bison bifold from Hanks Belts. It’s pretty tough, I sweat heavily and it gets wet continuously. I’ve had it for about 5 years and it’s going strong. I would buy it again.

quote:

Originally posted by 400m:
I have a bison bifold from Hanks Belts. It’s pretty tough, I sweat heavily and it gets wet continuously. I’ve had it for about 5 years and it’s going strong. I would buy it again.

Any experience with their belts?

Hanks makes a good belt. I like Beltman better. More holes, closer together. But since I bought Kore I don’t wear them anymore.
As for a wallet, I had one made at a cobbler shop years ago. Still going strong.

I used to spend countless dollars on fancy leather watches; a few years ago I tried a Ridge wallet and never went back.

Years ago I met a gentleman at a trade show who was selling a good variety of exotic skin crafts.

I liked the wallets that he had made out of South African Bullfrog. It held up for about twenty years.

He had a good variety of goods, most of which I couldn't afford. I called him back and bought another one.

Everyone who served 8n Vietnam carried a wallet made from Water Buffalo. indestructible.

^^^^^ I also had a pair of boots made up out of water buffalo, and they are still going strong!!

Look at Bullhide Belts. They carry a lot of exotics. Their closeouts are always a good deal.
https://www.bullhidebelts.com/

Is Buffalo exotic? My wife got me a Buffalo skin wallet and it is holding up well.

I've been carrying this alligator money clip wallet since September 2008. It has worn like iron.


Highly recommend high quality alligator for a wallet!



Liked it so well originally that I bought a Cognac Small Quill Rugged Genuine Ostrich Brass Clip Wallet from the same source in August 2014 as a "spare." It remains unused.

As an aside I bought a Rogue black salmon skin money clip wallet in 2008 as well but never used it.

My sister-in law dated a guy who worked exotic leathers for a while and she had him make me a wallet. I think the interior is just standard cowhide, but the exterior is top grain elegant hide. I’ve been carrying it since 2017 and it doesn’t show any signs of use yet. If I don’t lose it or have it stolen, I’m very confident it will outlive me.

I’ll post some pictures in the morning if I remember.

Said elephant hide wallet:

This message has been edited. Last edited by: P220 Smudge,

Ostrich leg from Andrews gun leather seems indestructible.

I haven’t carried a “hip pocket” type wallet that holds folding money for many years. I carry what could be described as a card holder that fits easily into a shirt pocket; mine’s made of stingray. No idea how old it is now, but no thought of replacing it. Folding money is kept in a silver money clip in my L front pocket, or R shirt pocket when I was in uniform.

Edmond, I don’t have any of Hanks belts.

quote:

Originally posted by Edmond:

quote:

Originally posted by 400m:
I have a bison bifold from Hanks Belts. It’s pretty tough, I sweat heavily and it gets wet continuously. I’ve had it for about 5 years and it’s going strong. I would buy it again.

Any experience with their belts?

A decade plus here. I wouldn’t hesitate to buy or recommend. Great belts. I have one of their Montana belts on right now.