We’ve been digging Australian craft brand Tailfeather for a little while now, and thought it was about time to dive in with some Road Tests. So first up is their Sparrow wallet, which we used for several weeks before photographing, to give you an idea of how it breaks in…
On Scottie’s recommendation, we chose the Sparrow with Button option, which has only recently been added to the range. Utilising vegetable tanned kangaroo leather, a solid brass button and held together with waxed nylon thread, there really is not all that much more to the Sparrow. But when it’s been put together with hand stitching and lots of care, that’s kind of the point…
The Sparrow is a simple 2 fold sleeve construction, with unfinished edges and no lining. You split your cards between 2 sections, and notes fit behind them.
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The button means this Sparrow works well for crew carrying their wallet in a bag (it stops it opening), but it does form a bit of a lump in your pocket. For me, I’d choose the option without (I fall off my skateboard a fair bit, so like smooth things to fall on). For my wife, the button makes lots of sense.
The kangaroo leather begins with a pretty distinctive smell, but really quickly takes shape and starts to develop a wonderful patina typical of vegetable tanned leathers. The untreated edges darken quickly, but don’t curl away or relax off.
While the note section has enough height for most currencies, there is not much allowance for a thick wad of notes, so it’s better suited to less note dependant carriers/countries. Also notes can occasionally catch on the brass button’s rear as you put them in, but it’s not much of an issue.
The card sections have enough depth for over a dozen cards between them, and that delightful kangaroo leather will form around whatever you put in it.
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Overall, the Sparrow is a neat little wallet that quickly finds its form according to the cards you put in it. Kangaroo leather is a super strong hide that should last well, and the veg tanning means it quickly looks like a wallet with a history. The button closure does stick out a little, so you’d only go that option if you think you really need it.
The Sparrow Button is AU$120 (approx US$130).
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Ando,
How big is the wallet compared to a normal sized bi-fold? Say next to a Hide and Seek? It’s hard to tell the scale. Also, how does it handle foreign notes like ahem US dollars?
You can see that it certainly overhangs the credit cards a bit, but it’s better than many. And yes it fits US notes. They are tight in length, but still fit fairly well (for reference, US notes are the size of that yellow AU$50 note in the pictures (plus a mm or two).
I’ve used one of these for about 3 months and it is broken in nicely.
However I have found the leather has expanded enough that the 4 cards I keep in each side slide around and fall out when i open the wallet. I have only every put 4 cards in each side, so i think this leather suits someone who carries more cards daily.
I have switched back to the tried and true Bellroy Slim Wallet! Shame as the TF is a sexy wallet.
The Bellroy guys will be stoked to hear that
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Hello,
Would like to get your opinions of Tailfeather sparrow wallet with coin pouch vs Bellroy pocket book wallet.
First up, coins suck a little bit in any small wallet, as they can distort the leather and create significant bulk. But yes, the Pocket Book at least lets you pursue the coin option (which works well enough if you only keep a few coins in it).
If you want to carry it in your pocket, then the Pocket Book might end up a touch more convenient (without the rivet pressing in or needing the additional coin pouch). But if you’re just carrying them in a bag or a jacket pocket, then the Tailfeather has a really nice craft feel, which is probably even a touch nicer than the Pocket Book in that sense.