Questions fréquemment posées
Q: Why do your goods cost that much?
A: Every single piece is handcrafted from high quality, Full Grain leather and/or Shell Cordovan. Each edge is hand sanded from 180 - 1000 (3000 for body edges) grit sand paper; edges beveled by hand, and burnishing gum applied and then hand burnished. A stitch line is put down; and the holes punched by hand, then the wallet is hand stitched, which is superior in every way to machine stitching. It’s repairable, looks good and is super strong. You are paying for my time and care to craft each of these pieces by hand. Not mass produce them like a department store wallet.
Q: What materials do you use?
A: I use ONLY vegetable tanned Full Grain leather and Shell Cordovan for my goods. These are the best; and the best is what I want for the goods I sell.
Q: Do your wallets include RFID or contactless-card shielding?
A: No. My wallets do not include a conductive card-shielding layer. Shielding is an optional construction feature, not something I promise from the leather itself. These wallets are not sold as RFID-blocking.
Q: What's the difference between full-grain and shell cordovan?
A: Full-grain is the natural, uncorrected top layer of the hide — it develops a rich patina with wear and is a bit more affordable. Shell cordovan comes from a small, dense section of the horse's hindquarters — it's non-porous, extremely durable, and takes on a glass-like shine when burnished, which is why it costs more. For the full breakdown, see our blog post on full-grain vs. shell cordovan.
Q: Do you do commissions?
A: Normally no, however I will always listen to an inquiry. If it’s similar to what I already do, I may be able to accommodate. As DSL grows, this will open up. If you’d like one of my goods in a specific leather, feel free to email me, or message me on Instagram! You WILL need to pay in advance; and there will be a lead time as I’ll need to order the leather.
Q: How long does shipping take?
A: In-stock goods ship within 3 business days, except Sundays. Preorder pieces are made for you and have a 4–5 week lead time, and rosaries are made to order and ship within about a week — each product page shows which applies. Once it's in the carrier's hands, I'm not responsible for delays or loss caused by the carrier — you'd file a claim directly with USPS for that.
Q: Do you ship internationally?
A: Not directly through this website right now — I'm not able to offer international shipping here yet, including to Canada. I have shipped internationally before (Germany, Belgium) through my Etsy shop, so if you're outside the US, check there or reach out and I can point you in the right direction.
Q: What's your return/refund policy?
A: I'm a one-person, handmade shop, so I'm not able to offer refunds. Stitching issues can always be repaired, used or unused — you cover shipping, the repair is free. If your item hasn't been used, I may be able to swap it for something else (item-for-item, no cash back on a price difference). Once an item's been used, exchanges aren't possible, but repairs still are. Email me at info@darkskyleather.com — a photo or video helps a lot. Full policy here.
Q: How do I care for my leather goods?
A: Standard leather care applies — avoid water and direct heat. The natural oils from your hands actually help condition the leather over time, so unless you're in an extreme hot or cold climate, you won't need to condition it often — a few times a year at most if you want to. For Shell Cordovan specifically, I recommend Saphir Médaille d'Or Cordovan Cream, a conditioning cream made specifically for shell cordovan.
Rosaries & Devotional Items
Q: Will my rosary fit in The Crusader rosary pouch?
A: The Crusader fits a standard 59-bead, five-decade rosary about 17–18 inches around. The Hail Mary beads on mine are 8mm and the Our Father beads are 10mm — anything larger may not fit. The pouch does not come with a rosary.
Q: Are your rosaries made to order?
A: Yes. Every Protector rosary is hand-knotted to order, so please allow up to a week before it ships. I cap how many I take on at once so I don't over-extend. Custom rosary commissions aren't available yet.
Q: What is The Protector rosary made of?
A: It's knotted from burgundy 95lb paracord, with black wooden Hail Mary beads, deep brown wooden Our Father beads with brass spacers, and a brass-toned St. Benedict crucifix and centerpiece medal. The brass-toned metal will patina fairly quickly, which is normal.
Q: What does "Bread & Wine" mean on some of your wallets?
A: The Bread & Wine Editions pair whiskey-toned leather with burgundy stitching — a quiet nod to the Eucharist in the colors themselves. They're available as The Morgan card wallet and The Dillon bifold.
Q: Do you have gift ideas for Confirmation or a new Catholic?
A: Yes — I've gathered my rosary pieces and Bread & Wine wallets together as handmade Catholic gifts for men.