Frequently Asked Questions

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: 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: All goods ship within 3 business days, except Sundays. 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.