In a Cardless World, does a Wallet still have a place? Buying the Perfect Leather EDC Wallet.

I barely use my cards these days, it’s all done on my phone. So why would I carry a wallet if not for cards? 

“Wallets aren’t for cards anymore.” 

 It’s for two reasons. Firstly, my Mule Wallet has an uncanny resemblance to my dad’s wedge of a wallet that he had back in the day. So, it has a nostalgic feeling about it. The second reason is a much more utilitarian reason to carry, I have my pocketknife and an EDC pen or pencil in the modular, mule section, the two EDC tools at a bare minimum I need to carry.

I chatted to the boys here at the Silver Fox workshop in Scotland. Some carry cards. Some don’t. We all carry tools or practical items. Our EDC.

What Makes a Leather Wallet EDC different?

The EDC community are adventurers, explorers, preppers and pioneers. AND even if we’re not we want to prepare like we might be!

Most wallets are designed to carry cards, or cash, or both. Primarily an EDC wallet exists to carry your Every Day Carry items and sometimes a few cards or notes if that’s your thing.

Regular wallets are often mass produced with cheap leather, sometimes even pleather (plastic leather). This means they are thin and kind of flimsy. The wallets aren’t designed to carry anything else. So, your knife, pen or fidget coin will either damage the leather or fall out or just not fit. They do look good on day one, but by day 100 they look just like the shoddy wallet you just binned.

So, an EDC wallet stands out as:

Customizable: to carry EDC tools/items as well as cards or coins

-        Durable: you want it to last for a lifetime, protect your EDC carry and if its leather it should improve with time.

-        Sweet AF Stylish. Because why not!?

Issues to Consider When Buying a Leather EDC Wallet

A Wallet that’s Always Prepared is Important

Says Marcus who also works at Silver Fox Tools.

 

I always carry a pocketknife and pen. My pocketknife is the Civivi Sendi. Whilst it’s a workhorse I do look after it and want to keep it dry and sharp. That’s why knowing it’s safely stowed in my modular wallet is perfect. Whilst I don’t always use Field Notes, I do find a pen is essential. I use a Cross mini pen and knowing that it won’t leak in my pocket or get lost is crucial. Unlike Dave I also carry cards so I want reassurance they can always be on hand

 

Design and Materials

The wallet needs to last. This means a few key criteria:

Tank leather. You want something between 2 and 4mm thick. Why? Any thinner and it will get shredded. Any thicker and it will be proper wedgy (and I like wedges!). The sourcing and type of leather is crucial. Ideally you want vegetable tanned. The dye goes deeper so it won’t fade as fast over time, if at all.

Customization. Some days you want to carry a pen and a knife; other days it may be a torch and a pencil. This weekend we are going camping, and we want a torch, a wrench and a compass. Ideally if a wallet has customizable compartments, then it can fit all our needs. The wallet shouldn’t dictate what you carry, the carrier should.

Stitching. Yeah, we know, needlecraft isn’t so sexy. But done well, it is a thing of beauty and after all this thread is going to hold your EDC caddy together. So, the twine matters. The color matters. Good stitching makes your EDC wallet ooze class.

Craftsmanship

A good leather worker makes every wallet as good as if it was his own. Durable enough to last a lifetime. To be a legacy. Knowing that the maker has taken great pride in the cutting and curating of a wallet, hand stitching every joint gives a feeling of real quality. The wallet feels different. Like it was loved from conception.

Whilst every piece of leather is unique, the leather worker (George in our case), will go and pick a suitable hide, where the grain runs nicely through the material. The leather is cut by hand, the old-fashioned way so the edges are crisp and clean and wont fray.

The twine is strong. To strong to tear, it must be cut and then burnt by hand to ensure it will never come loose. Sure, this takes time, it’s a craft. The hands get cut and tired, but that is then all felt by the owner in the finished piece. Every handmade EDC wallet, whilst made to meet exacting quality standards, is in fact unique. The mark of the maker lives on in each one.

Functionality and Features

What are you doing today? Where are you going? What do you need to carry? What do you want to carry? Maybe these are the questions to start your search for an EDC wallet.

Here at Silver Fox, only Marcus carries the same thing every day – pen and knife. Most of us, like most of our community, mix and match depending on what’s happening. So here are the key considerations

Flexibility. An EDC Wallet needs to be able to flex with your life. When you change your carry the wallet or EDC caddy needs to be able to change with you. The Mule range as removable rivets so that the wallet can be changed to suit the carry. Other systems have Velcro and buttons which could also be changed.

Safety. In some countries blades must be safely stowed. Confidence that your carry is safe is reassuring. But it’s a two-way street. You also want to know that your tools are not going to bounce out of the caddy or get scratched or damaged. Snug fitting pouches or compartments are essential

Access. In an emergency, such as when an amazing new parcel arrives through the post(!), access to a knife or EDC cutting tool is critical. Sure, you want your carry to be safely stowed but you need to get to it and fast. When its dark, when its wet or even when you’re drunk!

Weight and size. How big are your pockets? Seriously you don’t want to take so much gear that you need a backpack. The tools and their wallet should add to your experience and not hold you back.

Looks and aging. Ideally your EDC Leather Caddy should look as great on day 1000 as day one. It will look different, of course, but it should wear those scars well. Like a cowboy’s saddle. Each marks a memory of misadventure and high jinx

Comparisons and Market Trends

Four EDC Leather Wallets and Caddies from Silver Fox Tools

There’s simply no substitute for the combination of premium materials and precision craftsmanship. It’s a match made in heaven when it comes to functional, eye-catching leather EDC wallets. 

Silver Fox Tools is fast becoming one of the world’s leading purveyors of quality EDC products. The brand’s workshop in Scotland is a hive of activity on a daily basis, attempting to keep up with the growing demand for its wallets, pocket tools, stationery, and various other Everyday Carry creations. 

If you’re in the market for a premium leather EDC wallet or caddy, Silver Fox has four exceptional products to choose from.

Mule Note – Field Note Sleeve & EDC Tool Caddy

Did you know that Silver Fox Tools has its own in-house leather specialist? Everything is put together with hand-stitched perfection and a level of dedication that’s almost unheard of in the leather wallet market. 

The Mule Note combines a convenient carry choice for field notes and ample space for field tools. Ideal for anyone who likes to have their EDC nearby or even archaeologists, geologists, surveyors, and astronauts, it’s a premium product for everyday use.

Mule Pouch - Modular EDC Tool Sleeve

Is there a sophisticated way to carry everyday hand tools such as knives, multitools, pencils, and measuring devices? Yes, it’s called the Mule Pouch, and it’s a leather carry case designed for people who believe aesthetic value is every bit as important as daily functionality. 

Perfect for the average back pocket, this slim leather carry case can accept to six small tools and a pen. If your hobby or work requires a selection of small tools, or you simply like to be prepared for a range of scenarios, this could be the product for you.

Mule Wallet - Modular EDC Wallet

How many store-bought wallets have space for small hand tools these days? The answer is probably close to zero, which is why the Mule Wallet from Silver Fox Tools is such a popular product right now. 

This customizable product offers space for up to four cards and three tools. Characterized by its brass rivets and hand stitching, it’s a functional product that never fails to attract admiring glances on the go. And because it’s made with ethically sourced thick tan leather, it ticks the environmental and durability boxes, too.

Mule Book - Modular EDC Tool Caddy

What is a modular leather EDC caddy? Well, it’s a multifunctional wallet and then some. What makes the Mule Book special? Perhaps it’s the fact that every individual incarnation of the basic design is unique – thanks to expert hand stitching performed by the in-house leather expert at Silver Fox Tools. 

Customize the Mule Book according to your specific needs using the product’s modular rivet system. Changing the size of the pockets takes a matter of seconds – perfect if you need to store various Everyday Carry items in a hurry.

Explore Silver Fox Tools: The Spiritual Home of the Leather EDC Wallet

What’s the best leather EDC wallet on the market? It’s the one that does what you need it to do at a price that suits your budget. But what does a great leather EDC wallet actually do? 

Yes, it carries stuff…everyday stuff such as cash and cards. But does it do the kind of stuff modern consumers need it to? Does it offer space for tools, pens, knives, and other Everyday Carry items? 

And does your preferred leather EDC wallet make you feel good? Does it give you a sense of satisfaction or achievement every time you lift it out of your pocket? Does it turn heads and get people talking? 

The word “do” should do some serious heavy lifting if you’re going to get the best leather EDC wallet for your needs. Fortunately, Silver Fox Tools has you more than covered in that respect.