Form Function Form’s Architect’s Wallet was borne of the need to jot down ideas immediately when they come to mind. Even with all of our technology it is still sometimes more convenient and satisfying to put pen to paper then it is to fish out your phone, wait for your app to load and peck out your note. Never mind the convenience of having something readily available to write down a note when you are actually using your phone as a phone.

The Architect’s Wallet is a simple design: one piece of leather, folded over and hand sewn together to form what resembles a single pocket business card holder. The elegance of the design is that it incorporates a small Moleskine notebook to create an outer and inner pocket and flap. And, to tie it all together a Fisher Space Pen is held firmly at the hinge.

What’s Good

I’ve been using the Architect’s Wallet for over 6 months now and it is just starting to break in. I panicked the first time my keys scratched the Horween Chromexcel leather and freaked out a little when I realized my credit card numbers were creating a horizontal ridge of stretching across the back of the wallet. I then promptly slapped myself to remind me that this is only a wallet and it’s supposed to age and wear and break in. Age it has and I love the character it has gained.

It now has wear marks and indigo dye from my raw jeans. The leather has curled and stretched from many hours of riding in my pockets, but it is showing no signs of wearing out anytime soon.

I typically carry five cards in my wallet, I was used to carrying this money clip before so the Architect is actually a step up in functionality. The leather does stretch with use, so I can fit the occasional extra card or two such as my hotel key card when I’m travelling. I’ve long ditched all of my frequent flyer and customer loyalty cards and they stay in a holder in my glove box for when I need that specific card. This frees up your pocket space considerably so I would recommend doing that even if you don’t need a new wallet.

The Architect does fit fairly comfortably in a front pocket, which is said to greatly decrease your chances of being pick pocketed. It is even slightly more comfortable than my previous money clip as it is soft and bendable.

I still use my phone as my primary note taker, however there have been a number of times where I’ve been happy to have a piece of paper to write on. If I’d had one on my trip to Paris I could’ve avoided the $500 notebook. The pages of the moleskine notebook are perforated and thus can easily be torn out to give your note to whomever may need. I also love the convenience of always having my own pen. It feels so much slicker to reach into your own pocket and produce a writing device rather than asking the clerk for one or requiring your lady to dig through her purse (even if its a nice purse).

What’s Not

If there are any weaknesses to the architects wallet it is mainly in the limitations inherent to its minimalism. The moleskine notebook, as it serves as the wallets cover, tends to wear out before the pages are full. Pulling the wallet frequently in and out of one’s pockets will eventually fray and bend the outer cover and the back seam will tear and give out from frequent openings.

Form Function Form provides two notebooks with each wallet so that you have a backup, but you will undoubtedly be buying more (they can be found here ). Personally I’m still on my 2nd book after 6+ months, but it will be getting replaced soon. If you use a notebook daily then there is really no added cost, but if you don’t then it is something to consider. Though, as a plus, you can replace the book with different colours and give your wallet an easy fresh new look.

Another downside in my mind is that cash, at least Canadian cash, doesn’t quite fit. I normally store my two most used cards in the outer pocket and my three lesser used inside. When I’m carrying cash, I fold it in half and put it behind my outer cards. However, the wallet is not quite deep enough so the tops of the bills stick out over the edge of the wallet. As well, folded in half they add bulk to the centre of the wallet rounding it out and causing more wear on the notebook. American bills may fit better and I can’t fault the maker for our funny money.

So…

What has it got in its pocketses, eh Precious?

If you need to carry change, wads of dolla dolla bills, or love to show off your Costco card then this might not be your wallet. However, if you fancy having a pen and paper at your disposal and like the idea of a thin, all-in-one, unique, and handmade solution then it gets my highest recommendation.

I also have to say that the customer service at Form Function Form is stellar. My wallet was originally sent to Singapore, this would not be a problem if I lived in Singapore, but I don’t. Once Shawn discovered his mishap he got another sent to me promptly along with his apologies handwritten on a scrap of leather as well as some fantastic freebies that I’ll review at another time.

The Architect’s Wallets are well designed and the craftsmanship is sturdy, all done by a one man show in Florida. They’re available in a number of different leathers picked from the widely worshiped Horween Tannery in Chicago. The only problem Form Function Form has is that I’ll probably never need to replace my wallet so how can I convince myself I should have one in veg tan?

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