Looking for a new wallet? Tired of leather, canvas, plastic, and other such typical wallet materials? How about one made from wood? Yes, wood.
Slim Timber offers these minimalist wallets in both Maple and Walnut. They’re 4″ wide, 2.5″ tall, and 3/4″ thick, and can hold a mix of about 8 ID and credit cards. A leather strap keeps the wallet contents in place and closes with a magnetic clasp.
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These wallets are made in the USA and are priced at $45 via Slim Timber.
So how would one make a DIY version of these wallets/card cases?* I’m thinking some scrap hardwood, a router or sander, a drill press and combination of brad and forstner bits, long burrs or router bits, maybe some precision chisels, and a durable varnish?
(*Paging Ben Johnson, paging Ben Johnson. Are you up for the challenge?)
Chirs
Made in USA wallet? Wow the last time I saw a USA made wallet was decades ago. Stuart, do you know if this product is sold on Amazon or so? Has anyone used this wallet yet?
Nice to see a USA product especially since most wallets these days aren’t USA made anymore. However, I wonder if that leather is USA made though.
Stuart
Right now I believe the wallet is only sold direct via the maker’s website. They say made in the USA, so I assume the magnet and leather are USA-made as well. Maybe not?
James C
I don’t know if I’d want to sit on that with it in my back pocket, but I do like the looks of it. I’ve been thinking about making something very similar as a front shirt pocket business card holder.
Stuart
They say that the wallet won’t crush if in a back pocket, but I wouldn’t want to sit on one either!
SLim TImber Fan
I have had my slim timber wallet for over two years now. I have put it through the ringers. No issues thus far. They also have great customer service.
E. Baker
I love the fact that it’s USA made and that’s the style of wallet I typically carry. I can’t stand the bi-fold/tri-fold wallet designs, they become a nest for too much garbage so I try to keep it simple with just something similar to above.
As far as sitting on it, haha, maybe I’ll cut myself a scrap piece of wood to the same dimensions and throw it in my back pocket and try it out for a day!
And I’m thinking I could easily fabricate and or reproduce something very similar by utilizing our model shop at my university. I’ve got two laser cutters and even a 3d printer at my disposal.
Benjamen Johnson
$45 seems like a lot for a hunk of wood with a mortise, but if people pay it then more power to Slim Timber. I concur with James C. Having a lump of something 3/4″ thick that doesn’t flex or deform is going to lead to a sore cheek.
My first thought on making one would to glue pieces of wood together to get the mortise, rather trying to cut one in a solid piece. This would give so many more options(think different woods for sides, or complementing woods for the edges.) I’m also wondering if using 1/8″ plywood for the sides would give you a thinner wallet with a little more flexibility.
Benjamen Johnson
I finally got around to posting pictures of the proof of concept wallet I built pretty much the day I saw this post.
http://workshop.electronsmith.com/content/wooden-wallet/
nbennett
I purchased the Slim Timber wallet for my husband for our anniversary and it is as lovely as the picture, however shortly after he began using it, his credit card was demagnetized, and then so was his debit card, and my debit card (that he had borrowed because his wasn’t working!) The little magnet on the strap was ruining our cards. So after spending money to have our cards replaced, his wallet is useless. I used the contact us tab on the website, but they didn’t respond, and then I left multiple posts on their facebook page asking for help or my money back, but they just kept disappearing. My advice- purchase only if you plan to carry cash. 🙁
Sergio L
nbennett:
I’m having the exact same issue. I’ve contacted them but I haven’t been as nice as you. I’m planning on pursuing this legally if they don’t act as this isn’t fair. They’re selling a faulty product.
s
Could have been cool if they didn’t rip off their new watch design. Check out Mica Watches and tell me that slim timber is original…