The Fowey wallet was a request from my partner wanting a larger roomy wallet for her handbag.
Most of what I make is built to disappear into a front or back trouser pocket. The Fowey is the exception. It's a long bi-fold wallet, about 19cm long, and it's made for people who carry their wallet in a bag, a coat pocket or a jacket, not on their hip.
If you've ever pulled a crumpled note out of a small wallet, or had receipts spilling out of the sides, this is the one I'd point you to. Here's what it holds, how it's made and who I think it suits.
What the Fowey holds
The whole idea of a long wallet is that nothing has to be folded more than it needs to be. Notes go in the cash section without being bent in half again, and there's room to keep them tidy.
- Multiple card slots – enough for your everyday cards plus the loyalty and membership cards that tend to pile up.
- A roomy cash compartment – notes sit flat and you can see what you've got at a glance.
- Slip pockets – handy for receipts, tickets, a folded note or anything you want to keep but don't want loose in your bag.
Because it's long rather than thick, it lies flat in a bag. That matters more than people expect. A chunky wallet sitting at the bottom of a rucksack or handbag is hard to find and awkward to pull out. A flat one slides in alongside a book or a tablet and comes straight back out when you need it.
The leather and the making
The Fowey is made from full-grain leather, which is the top layer of the hide with the natural grain left on. Nothing has been sanded off or covered up, so it's the strongest part of the hide and it's the part that ages well.
I cut, stitch and finish each one myself in my workshop in Cornwall. A long wallet has long, straight stitch lines down its edges, and those need to be tidy and tight, because they take the strain every time the wallet is opened and closed. I take my time over them.
Full-grain leather looks good on day one, but it looks better after a few months. It picks up a soft sheen where your hands touch it, the colour deepens, and small marks blend into the surface rather than standing out. It's built to be used, and it improves with use. If you want to know more about looking after it as it ages, I've put together a simple leather care guide.
Who it suits (and who it doesn't)
I'd be the first to say a long wallet isn't for everyone. Here's how I'd think about it.
The Fowey suits you if:
- You carry a bag most days – a handbag, a work bag, a rucksack or a tote.
- You wear jackets or coats with an inside pocket and like to keep your wallet there.
- You still use cash and want your notes kept flat.
- You hang on to receipts, tickets or cards that need a proper home.
- You like everything in one place rather than spread across your pockets.
It's probably not the one if:
- You keep your wallet in your trouser pocket – at around 19cm it's too long for most.
- You only carry a couple of cards and rarely use cash.
If that second list sounds more like you, have a look at the rest of my handmade leather wallets, which include slimmer bi-folds, or my card holders if you want to go really minimal.
A good one to give
With Christmas on the way, it's worth saying that the Fowey makes a thoughtful present for someone who's always rummaging in their bag for a wallet that's too small. It's a practical upgrade, and it's the kind of thing people use every day without thinking about it, which is exactly what you want from a gift.
The Fowey is £45, so it comes with free UK delivery (orders over £25 ship free; otherwise it's £3.50). I dispatch within 24–48 hours.
You also get no-questions 30-day returns, and because it's full-grain leather it's covered by my lifetime repair warranty on faulty leather or stitching. If a seam I've sewn ever lets you down, I'll put it right.
You can see more photos and order it here: The Fowey – Leather Long Wallet.
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