Good morning,
I'm prototyping a simple, single-pocket cardholder/wallet with viscose lining and some inner leather reinforcement. I went for Osbourne snaps (Line 20) but I can feel they need quite a lot of force to be closed, which requires to squeeze my wallet quite considerably.
1. Should I try different type of snaps? Smaller ones? Maybe snaps are not an option at all here? Magnetic clasps?
2. Maybe I should try to move the snaps lower to the leather bend so that the snaps get more reinforcement? Or support the leather somehow else?
3. The piece doesn't have perfectly flat surfaces or superconsistent bends. How do you go around it? I'm not aspiring to making luxury, high-elegance, formal leather goods, but still I feel like keeping the structure or shape to the goods is important. On the other hand, if the item shapes on its own during usage it gives it a bit more liveness and uniqueness. What is your thoughts on that one? Pics here:
Youtube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iz8pFv-iNFY It's covering all of the above. No need to watch the entire video, it just shows the wallet in action.
Thank you for any advice, I hope I'm not asking for too much :D
Cheers!
Now I get it guys, thank you!
I definitely agree that design-wise there is a lot to improve. Indeed the snaps cause some visual imbalance there. I will be thinking about it! I wanted to get the ergonomy first however. :D
You both recommend snap buttons, but I thought I'm already using 'snap buttons'. How do we name the ones I used? Just 'snaps'?
Same here Daniel, I feel like the very usage of some metal clasp/button/closing mechanism makes it just much more fun to use. I feel the same for zippers, which are next on my 'to-be-mastered' list :D
Cheers!
Agree with Fadi, try snap buttons for wallets instead of the ones you have.
I've also found that different brands of snaps have VERY different quality.
The ones from RM Leathersupply is by far the best ones I've tried so far! Ordered a batch from buckleguy this morning but havent tried them before, hope they are as good as the RM ones:)
I like the snap button cardwallets ALOT! and its quite fun that only the size and shape for the cover completely change the look between masculine and feminine! or atleast i think so:)
First of all, I love the lining material inside!
Why not try to use snap buttons? they are much much easier to open, and since you have one on each side, they will hold well.
Also, they can be found in smaller diameter. I personally feel that the line 20 are a bit too large for your wallet. And have you tried moving the snaps maybe 5 to 7mm to the inside, taking them just a bit farther from the edge?
these are the snaps i was talking about:
https://www.buckleguy.com/sn10b11-snap-button-cap-10mm-s-spring-socket-antique-brass-solid-brass-100-sets-per-bag/
For the shape, like Adil said, i would out and anvil or some heavy weight on it overnight
I’ve used snaps that snap in hard like the snaps you are using and I’ve bought some that are a dream to snap. On the hard to close snaps I’ve used a little beeswax on them and then worked it in by snapping and un-snapping a hundred times. They do seem to get easier to use. I haven’t found the issue to be size related. Some #24’s snap easy and the #20’s snap hard.
Magnets are an option. I’ve tried magnets on a couple bags and I haven’t been excited about how they turned out. Getting the right magnet strength was the issue. Some were weak and didn’t hold the bag closed and some felt too strong. It is definitely worth trying to see if you like for your product.
For your third question I have a non-elegant solution that I have used to enhance the shape of a bag or wallet when I’m using similar leather. I grab it with both hands, twist, turn, flex and squeeze it until I like the shape. I’ve also used a hammer and put things under my mini-anvil overnight to get the leather into a shape I like. I’ve found working the leather will soften and relax it and will allow you to encourage it into a different shape.