No matter how carefully you take care of your leather wallets and leather accessories, it is inevitable that threads will fray, metal fittings will wear out, and the leather itself will become damaged.
This is especially true if it is something you use every day or have been using for a long time.
Some of your favorite leather products may get damaged. Some of you may have had the experience of giving up and thinking, "I guess I have no choice but to buy a new one."
What is needed in this situation is "repair" of leather products. We at Munekawa do repairs . We believe that this is just as important as making products , and we work on it sincerely every day.
Today, we will introduce the repair process at Munekawa using an actual leather wallet that we received a repair request for as an example. We will also introduce the estimated repair cost and answer frequently asked questions.
Please be sure to watch until the end.
Repair example: Bi-fold wallet "Feel Coin"
This time, we will introduce the repair process using an orange bi-fold wallet "Feel Coin" (currently a discontinued color) that we previously received from a customer .
According to the customer, hot liquid leaked from a water bottle spilled on the bag, causing the leather to become significantly deformed by the heat and moisture.
When compared to a new item, you can see that the leather has hardened and lost its original shape due to stains and deformation.
Water and heat are the biggest enemies of leather. They can cause serious damage that may make you think "maybe the item can't be used again."
Repair point 1: Disassembling the wallet
The repair this time involves replacing the badly damaged "front side," "bill compartment divider," and "back part of the coin purse" with new leather parts.
First, the wallet is carefully disassembled into its individual components, a very delicate and difficult process.
In particular, the edges of the leather that have been finished using a technique called "hem turning" are extremely thin, at only 0.2 to 0.3 mm thick . If you are not familiar with the structure of the product, you may tear the leather, so you must proceed with the work with the utmost care.
We were able to disassemble the parts without any problems. We will make new parts using the same leather that we had stored.
Repair content ②: Stitching leather by feel
An even more difficult step is sewing the new parts together with the existing parts .
At Munekawa, when sewing together existing leather and new leather, we reuse the pinholes from the existing parts to minimize the damage to the leather.
However, since the sewing is done from the front side, it is not possible to directly see the needle holes in the existing parts on the back.
All we can rely on is the sense of touch that our production staff have developed over the years. Using their fingers, they find the position of the needlehole and, stitch by stitch, accurately reproduce the original stitch.
Completion: Back to the customer
Thus, through skilled techniques and many processes, the wallet was restored to its beautiful appearance once again.
The new parts regained their strength and tone, and blended in with the texture of the reused parts. The wallet, which had almost been given up on, was once again in a condition that would allow it to be used for a long time, and was returned to the customer.
Munekawa's Strengths in Repairs
Munekawa's strength in repairs is its commitment to " consistent in-house production ."
Munekawa is a company that handles everything from product planning and design to manufacturing, sales and repairs entirely in-house.
Because we manage everything in-house, even products purchased many years ago can be repaired. We can prepare the same materials, and because we are familiar with the structure, we can handle repairs in difficult areas.
In particular, Munekawa products have a simple design, but in order to achieve a structure that is as compact and has as much capacity as possible, many parts incorporate unique structures, which can be difficult for outside repair specialists to handle.
We repair Munekawa products ourselves. We believe that this is our responsibility as manufacturers. Through repairs, we support you in using Munekawa products for a long time with peace of mind, so please feel free to contact us no matter what condition they are in.
Estimated repair costs and delivery time
| Repair Menu | Reference price | Estimated delivery time |
|---|---|---|
| Replacement of hook and eye buttons | free( (There may be a charge for products older than 10 years old .) | 2 days to 1 week |
| Zipper replacement | ¥5,000～¥30,000 | About 1 to 3 weeks |
| Thread breakage, fraying | ¥5,000～¥30,000 | About 1 to 3 weeks |
| Leather replacement | ¥5,000～¥30,000 | About 1 to 3 weeks |
The above is just a guide. A formal estimate will be provided after inspecting the condition of the item.
Repairs are carried out at Munekawa's workshop in Daikokucho, Osaka, so please bring your item in.
We also accept repairs by mail. You will be responsible for the shipping costs.)
Frequently asked questions
Q. Can you repair older models that were purchased a long time ago?
A. If it is a Munekawa product, we will do our best to accommodate your request. First, we will inspect the condition of the item, so please feel free to contact us.
Q. Will the color of the leather change significantly after repairs?
A. We will respect the aging of your leather and choose parts and threads that are close to the current color of the item. However, when replacing parts, there may be a slight difference in color between the new leather and the existing leather. If this happens, we will let you know in advance, so please rest assured.
Q. Can I know the approximate repair costs in advance?
A. Please send us an email with a photo that shows the condition of the item. We will provide you with a rough estimate.
We support you in using it for a long time.
Using a product for a long time deepens your attachment to it, leading to the joy of "nurturing" it into a special item that is unique to you. It is also a sustainable action that conserves limited resources and reduces waste.
Through repairs, we want to support our customers' desire to continue using their products for a long time. Munekawa believes this is his responsibility as a creator.
If you have any concerns about your leather product, Before you think, "Maybe it's time to buy a new one," why not consider the option of "repairing it and continuing to use it?"
Please feel free to contact us.
▶︎ For more information about Munekawa's "repairs," click here
▶︎Contact us here
If you would like to attach a photo, please email us at info@munekawa.jp .
