What it takes to keep your wallet beautiful for a long time.
While leather care is certainly important, the key is how you use it daily.
Don't accumulate unnecessary receipts. Don't put in too many coins. Don't cram in more cards than you need.
These small habits gradually reduce the burden on the leather and metal fittings, ultimately leading to a wallet that is less prone to breakage and can be used with peace of mind for a long time.
This time, we asked two Munekawa production staff members how they usually use their wallets and what they pay attention to in order to keep them looking good for a long time.
We'll look at how these two, who are the makers of Munekawa products and know them inside and out, use their wallets, and consider ways to organize your own wallet to suit your lifestyle.
Production Staff Takahashi and the L-shaped zipper wallet "Cram"
First up is Takahashi, a key member of the production staff. He uses the L-shaped zipper wallet Cram, made of shell cordovan and Maremma leather. He has been using an L-shaped zipper wallet Cram for about 8 years, but this particular Cram has been in use for about 2 months.
▼L-shaped zipper wallet “Cram”/Horween Shell Cordovan x Maremma
https://munekawa.jp/products/rw2coma
Q. What is your primary payment method, and what do you usually carry in your wallet?
I mostly use payment apps on my smartphone.
I don't open my wallet very often, but I try to carry around 20,000 yen in case I need cash. That's about 14 bills and 13 coins. I carry 9 cards, mostly the ones I use frequently.
Q. Are there any precautions you take to prevent damage to your wallet?
What I'm particularly careful about is not sitting down with it in my back pocket. While putting it in my back pocket itself isn't an issue, sitting with it there can put unnecessary pressure on the leather and cause it to lose its shape, so I try to avoid that.
Also, I try to keep the coin accumulation in check to prevent the wallet from bulging too much.
Q. Do you have any habits to prevent overstuffing?
I transfer as many loyalty cards as possible to smartphone apps to reduce the number of cards I carry around. I find this method works well for me because not overfilling my wallet makes it easier to see what's inside.
I also try to remove any receipts I receive from my wallet on the same day.
Q. Are there any other storage preferences you'd like to share?
I put all the cards I use frequently in the left sleeve, where I can easily access them. This became my natural way of using the Cram after 8 years. By having a fixed position for each card, I never hesitate for a moment when paying, and I really like this method of use.
In the two card pockets on the right, I keep identification such as my driver's license and a card-type loss prevention tracker. The tracker is a convenient size that fits perfectly in the card pocket. It's reassuring to be prepared for any eventuality.
▼L-shaped zipper wallet “Cram”/Horween Shell Cordovan x Maremma
https://munekawa.jp/products/rw2coma
Production Staff Konishi and the L-shaped zipper long wallet "Cram Long"
The second person is Konishi, a production and direct store staff member. He uses the black "Cram long" wallet, a long wallet created by applying the structure of the L-shaped zipper wallet Cram. He has been using it for about 9 months.
▼L-shaped zipper long wallet Cram Long
https://munekawa.jp/products/rw3
Q. What is your primary payment method, and what do you usually carry in your wallet?
I use credit cards, QR code payments, and cash depending on the situation, and the proportion is almost the same for each. I use cards for larger purchases and QR code payments for smaller ones.
My hobby is visiting雑貨屋 and flea markets, and since many of these places only accept cash, I always make sure to have plenty of coins and 1,000 yen bills ready.
I carry about 20,000 yen in cash and 10 cards. I leave a little extra just in case I suddenly need cash. (By the way, at the time of the interview, I had 2,870 yen in coins, totaling 32 coins.)
Q. Are there any precautions you take to prevent damage to your wallet?
The Cram long has many card pockets, and can hold about 16 cards in 10 slots.
However, since I have opportunities to use cash, the number of coins can increase on some days. To prevent the overall thickness from becoming excessive, I intentionally limit the number of cards to 10.
Also, when closing the zipper, I make sure to gently adjust the shape so that the coins fit without force. If you try to force the zipper closed when the wallet is bulging, it will inevitably put a strain on it, so I am careful about that.
Q. Do you have any habits to prevent overstuffing?
I actively opt for electronic receipts wherever possible.
I make it a point to remove unnecessary paper receipts from my wallet as soon as possible. It's a small extra step, but it keeps the wallet from getting too bulky and makes it easier to manage the contents, which I find very comfortable to use.
Q. Are there any other storage preferences you'd like to share?
The Cram Long has card pockets not only in the main storage section but also on the gusset on the opposite side, and I keep frequently used cards there.
This way, when paying with cash, I open the zipper from the main side, and when paying with a card, I open it from the gusset side, allowing smooth access without having to fully open the zipper, which is very convenient.
For wallets with many storage compartments, it's a good idea to decide where to put things so they can be easily retrieved according to your payment method. This way, you won't panic at the checkout.
▼L-shaped zipper long wallet Cram Long
https://munekawa.jp/products/rw3
Three points for "not damaging your wallet" revealed from real-life examples
While the two individuals have different main payment styles and wallet shapes, there were several commonalities in how they use them.
- Clear out receipts and coins on the same day.
- Assign a fixed place for cards and carefully select the number of cards to carry.
- Try to avoid putting unnecessary strain on the wallet.
The important things are to "manage the contents so the wallet doesn't bulge too much," "assign fixed positions so you don't hesitate in an emergency," and "don't pull the zipper forcibly or sit with it in your pocket."
Since it's something you use every day, it's clear that these small extra steps reduce the stress of "not knowing where things are" and help extend the lifespan of the wallet itself.
Rather than "reducing," maintain a state that suits your usage.
The contents of a wallet are not necessarily "the less, the better."
Even if you primarily use smartphone payments, there are times when you want to carry cash, identification, and frequently used cards. Conversely, for those who frequently use cash, having a certain amount of coins and 1,000 yen bills can provide peace of mind.
The important thing is to establish easy-to-use rules after putting in what you need for your life, and to maintain a state where your wallet is not under undue strain.
By identifying what you need and tidying up a little after use, you can prevent your wallet from bulging and losing its shape, and maintain its ease of use day after day.
We hope the organizing tips from our production staff, introduced here, will help you use your wallet comfortably for a long time.
▼Click here for a list of Munekawa's "Leather Wallets"
https://munekawa.jp/collections/all-wallet
