Our FAQ is finally underway. Currently it covers only wallets, but more content is on the way.
Wallets
What are the differences amongst the wallets?
You can see the basic differences (dimensions, weights, etc.) if you download this handy chart.
What type of o-rings does my wallet use and where can I get them?
While the exact size varies per wallet, the rings we use are Buna-Nitrile black rubber measuring A50 on the durometer (hardness) scale. They are all .125” sectional diameter. The three digit size designation carries all of the dimensional information, but it is important to note that the durometer measurement is critical to buying the proper ring.
Most rings (that you might find at a hardware store for instance) are of the A70 variety. This is much stiffer and less flexible than A50, and will not work well with our wallets. If you are shopping for rings in bulk the best source is McMaster Carr, but we do offer smaller quantities in our web shop.
How long do the o-rings last?
For some people they last years, for others they can snap in a few weeks. The o-rings come from various factories and quality control varies. This is why we ship with spares and offer them in our shop at a reasonable price.
Of the tens of thousands of o-rings we have shipped with wallets we get very few reports of breakage, and we have carried our personal wallets for over a year without issue. That said, in the case that one breaks, catastrophe is averted as the mechanism still works with a single o-ring in place.
My o-rings are not the proper tension for what I want to carry. What can I do to fix this?
We’ve specified o-rings that provide sufficient tension for both lightly- and heavily-loaded wallets. Your wallet should work just fine with one card in it, as well as with a considerable amount of cash and cards.
If you find that the rings are too tight for your taste, you can order a size up or dial in the exact tension by purchasing rings on your own from another source. It also helps to give them a stretch to loosen them up.
What is the durability of the finish?
Our wallets are offered in multiple anodized aluminum finishes and raw bead-blasted titanium. Generally speaking, anodization is a durable coating but it is normal for the wallet to wear from repeated use. The hardcoat anodization we use (black and type III) are by far the most durable. But the clear anodized shows the least wear due to its similarity to the natural color of aluminum.
Our raw aluminum and bead-blasted titanium will show normal wear over use, but for the purist, they are the most ‘durable’ as every mark will simply reveal more of the element that lies beneath.
Why are there small blemishes on my wallet when I receive it?
The rubber o-rings can often leave residue on the plates. This is normal as they are coated in a preservative from the factory. To provide the customer with the ‘freshest’ of rings, we ship the rings with preservative intact. For the black and clear wallets simple hot water and soap will clean the plates and remove the white powdery/greasy coating.
The type III hard coat is the only finish we offer that can sometimes be permanently stained by the rubber. We appreciate this as a mark of use and process, but you should be aware if it’s not to your taste.
The anodizing process often results in subtle variations in the darkness of the plates, as well as showing ‘racking marks’ where the part is held in the chemical bath. It is quite normal to see two small bare spots on the edge of the plate where this was done, as well as very minor surface abrasions from the tumbling process used to de-burr the parts before anodization.
Why does the edge of my bottle opener show wear over time?
Since the wallet’s aluminum plates are softer than the steel of a bottle cap, it is inevitable that it will eventually show wear. We consider such marks to be a desirable ‘patina’. If you are concerned about maintaining perfect edges, it would be wise to consider the titanium version.
Can I purchase individual plates to customize my wallet?
These wallets and the corresponding o-rings have been designed and tested for a specific number of plates. While adding more plates is possible, it is not recommended unless you also consider the proper o-ring to handle the increased thickness and edge stress on the rings.
We are not able to tell you what o-ring to use for additional plates, as we have not done testing. In some cases the wallet simply will not function, such as adding additional plates to the A1, or a second rectangle for the A2.
As of now we do not have a provision in the web shop for ordering extra plates, but feel free to contact us if you want to experiment.
Why can't I add a rectangle to my A2?
The A2 was designed to be as compact as possible, resulting in a package that is slightly wider than a credit card and exactly as tall. The two-rectangle mechanism requires a bit of space along the hinge edge to open properly. Since the A2 is incredibly compact, this extra space is not possible. Instead, two triangles are required as the mechanics of their hinge is slightly different.
What happened to the A3s from Kickstarter?
Over the past year we have made minor changes to the size of the wallet. For Kickstarter we originally offered a long version of the wallet (A3 at 4.125”) and a short version (A3s at 3.85”) For quite some time we settled on a model right in between the two, but recently have reverted back to the shortest dimension possible, coming very close to matching the original A3s from Kickstarter.
From now on, this shorter model will simply be known as the A3. If you are purchasing a wallet to add or mix and match plates, be sure to measure yours to see which model you have.
What happened to the A2+1?
The A2+1 is now simply called the A2 as it ships standard with three plates: two triangles and one rectangle.
Are all wallets RFID blocking?
Probably not. There’s no current standard governing RFID technology. But common sense says the card needs to be completely covered as the RFID chip has an antenna that generally wraps around the edge of the card. Our A3, B, and C wallets all include two rectangles that provide unbroken aluminum surfaces to protect your cards. The A1 and A2 do not.
Will the wallet wear out my pocket?
Putting metal in contact with cloth over long periods of time will undoubtedly cause wear. Since we have not tested the wallet with all fabrics, pocket sizes, fits, and seating surfaces, there is no way to provide any assurance as to how the wallet will affect your pants. However, we carry these wallets daily and our pants pockets remain intact.
Is the wallet hard to get out of my pocket?
No. The o-rings give it a slight amount of grip, keeping the wallet securely in your pocket. But not enough to keep you from pulling it out of your pocket easily. This is of course dependent on the material of the garment in question and the tightness of the pocket.
Where are the wallets made?
All of our laser cutting and anodizing is done in the Knoxville Tennessee area. We are proud to have a strong relationship with local manufactures and offer a product that is made in the United States. The o-rings however come from various sources both domestic and foreign.