Patina Club
Welcome to the Patina Club
This is where the real stories live.
The Patina Club is a celebration of time, use, and character. Every scuff, scratch, and sun-faded edge tells a story—and we want to hear yours. Whether your wallet's been through cross-country road trips, years of hard work, or just a few too many cups of coffee, we believe the marks it carries are a badge of honor.
Erik Fry
5/14/24
Dark Forest workshop
Photographer, retail manager.
My wallet would tell a story of camera shops, cafes, pool halls, thrift stores and traveling the Pacific Northwest, sitting on many tables.
Isabel Dreyfus
10/25/22
Dark Forest Workshop
I work in Marketing
It would say how well-travelled it is, and it would tell the story of my progression in all of my hobbies through my 20's.
Roger Landberg III
5/1/23
Local sale here in Seattle
Construction Management
Always there when I need it.
Dillon Crippen
7/9/22
Bend SummerFest 2022
Graphic Designer
My wallet goes everywhere I go. As someone who prefers to keep ID, cash, and cards on them at almost any time, it's safe to say this thing has been glued to my body since 2022. During that time I have traveled countless times throughout the west, from Washington to Arizona and every state in between. The simplicity and durability of my wallet are my favorite features by far. It's held many cards and fat wads of cash as well as just a few cards and no cash, either way the contents stay locked in.
Michael Carlini
2/14/24
At the Dark Forest USA Workshop in Portland, OR
I am an airline pilot.
I am a big leather nerd. After speaking with Jeff at multiple community vendor events, I learned he sourced his leather from Herman Oak, which is a very old tannery that still makes their leather the slow, old fashioned way. That authenticity and honesty towards heritage is something that is becoming harder and harder to find in this world of fast and cheap planned obsolescence, so in the spirit of earned authenticity, I asked Jeff to make me a custom wallet from the raw, unstained leather he receives from the factory so that as it ages and develops a patina, the resulting color is as authentic as the leather itself.
Fast forward 17 months, and the wallet has aged beautifully. The leather on the inside of the wallet is still the original tan color, with a young, almost pink hue, while the outside looks like it has roasted to a beautiful golden brown. Corners and edges are dark, smooth, worn, and glossy. I love it, and it's only going to get better with time. My girlfriend and one of my best friends now carry a Dark Forest wallet around with them too, so it's really fun to get to see those aging as well. As an airline pilot, I am constantly flying all over the country, and every few months I seem to make it out to Europe as well. This wallet holds up great to the super dry air to which it is repeatedly exposed at 35,000 feet, as well as super warm and humid environments. No vinyl, plastic, or thin fabric that can disintegrate - this is the last wallet I'll ever need to buy.
Jasin Hope
7/23/24
From Jeff Curry
Custom Fabrication (weld)
I carry a wallet with me at all times, so it needs to be durable. It also needs to be flat enough to not cause issues. My Dark Forest wallet checks both these boxes. I’m very much a creature of habit. I’ve been buying the exact same brand and style boot for 8 years. That’s why I was so stoked when my wallet matched them perfectly. I’ve kept the same wallet until they fell apart in the past. I’m now nearly a year into this wallet and it’s only improved with time this far. It’s been through hot welds and Louisiana humidity. Sweated through and sun dried, it’s handcrafted tough. Let’s see where the next year takes us! The first pic is day one versus now a year later.
Jason Arens
1/10/22
Curry himself
Ski Judge
What have you and your wallet been through together? Whether it’s a big adventure, a small moment, or something unexpected—share the kind of story you’d tell a friend at a bar. The more details, the better. We’re looking for stories with personality that we might feature. Switched to a card wallet and I’m not going back. It’s compact, which makes it perfect for travel — way easier than carrying around a bulky wallet. Since I got it, it’s been with me to 20+ countries. That’s trains, airports, street food stalls, hotel lobbies — everywhere. Never takes up space, never gets in the way. Just does the job.
Mike Vuto
11/2 – 9/24
Online
Mechanical Engineer
My new wallet has been treating me well so far with some trips back east to see the family and a surf vacation down to Mexico. Nothing too exciting yet, but our time together is still young ha. My previous wallet was one of yours from back in Feb of 2017 and that thing stood the test of time with trips all around the world and plenty a late nights out and was still going strong. Only reason to upgrade was I wanted more room, need a few more cards these days as a new Dad!
