AS REVIEWED BY BestLeather.Org
http://bestleather.org/j-ryan-co-legacy-horsehide-key-fob/
In a time of cheap and disposable products, we all yearn for those traditional keepsake pieces. Every item crafted at J.Ryan & Company, LLC is built to not only last a lifetime, but to be handed down through the generations. Using only the finest leathers and finishing, you will receive a piece that you will be proud to call your own.
There are good leather craftsman out there, many specializing in rustic pieces. At J. Ryan & Company, LLC we wanted to set ourselves apart, by offering timeless pieces that ring of true quality and are finished to a higher standard for the discerning individual.
After working for years, crafting fine custom holsters, I had many customers asking me if I could make bespoke leather items for them with the same attention to detail I provided in my holsters. Henceforth, this is how ideas are born. It seemed like a natural transition to add fine leather goods to my repertoire.
While I have seen many neat folding key fobs out there, they all seem to try to appeal to a modern tech look and hold as much as possible. I wanted to offer my clients a slim and stylish leather fob that is appealing to the eye and easy to carry. While modern and high-tech looking items have a place, nothing can replace the look and feel of fine leather.
We use thin and tough hard rolled Horween Horsehide that has been vegetable tanned.
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From this......
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To this
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Thin and Classy!
Custom made brass hardware and spring washers. They stay tight without the need to over tighten the screws. The spring washers keep even tension on your keys, so they don't flop around. I will also include a metal component that will allow you to attach your car remote to hang from the Legacy Fob.
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Exotic hides like American Alligator(pictured), Shark and Horween Shell Cordovan are available to those wanting a more exotic leather piece. These hides are laminated to the stiffer Horsehide.
We are also offering combo perks that come with the Legacy Key Fob with the J. Ryan & Co. Mini-Billfold. This wallet measures 4.25" x 6.75" open and a nominal 4.25" x 3.375" closed. The credit card/license slots sit vertically, making for a slimmer wallet when folded. The cards stack on top of each other, without layers of leather between each card. Each side has a thin pigskin divider pocket for receipts and such. The deep cash pocket works great for different size currency's while abroad. All stitching is back-stitched to ensure durability. It can hold 8-12 cards and is made from Wickett & Craig Bridle leather and pigskin Liner(standard), Shark w/Kidskin Liner, Full Horween Shell Cordovan and American Alligator w/Pigskin Liner.
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Shark
American Alligator
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Horween Shell Cordovan
If we over-fund, we can offer 32G USB drives as an add on feature.
By funding my project, it will help me produce the Fob in higher volumes, yet maintain a level of quality that my clients have come to expect. While it is possible to one-off this item, it takes more time than it should for what I would consider a quality item at a reasonable price.
I know there are a lot of people out there who enjoy fine finished leather goods. Nothing is as nice as a refined piece of leather. I strive to produce items that are reminiscent of old English craftsmanship from a bygone era. I know in a time of rustic looking leather pieces or high-tech materials, there are customers yearning for something better.
What we will do with the funds raised.
I am asking for $5000 to invest in clicker dies, leather, hardware and packaging. If I reach my full goal, I would purchase another compact clicker press to expand my production capability.
Some unique perks offered can be Monogramming for early contributors of various levels offered.
Even if I don't reach my full goal, I would still produce the Fob in smaller quantities. I may have to forgo multi cavity clicker dies and keep production limited to custom quantities.
The Impact your contribution will make.
I know from my business that there are so many people out there like myself that want classy and quality leather goods. I see the key fob as one of these items. Refined yet simple. An extra touch of class that sets you apart by your taste. Every leather item I make in my shop has my passion poured into it. I look at a piece of leather as a canvas, imagining what amazing piece of artwork I can craft with it. This is something I want to be able to share with you.
While I have never ran a campaign before, I have a long history of providing my clients with not only quality leather, be it a Fob, Wallet, belt or even holster, I also provide SERVICE. This is something that really seems to be missing in commerce today. I truly appreciate every single client and treat them like family, for that is what they are. I know without them, my business would not exist. I would like you, as a contributor to become part of that family.
Risks & Challenges
Probably one of the biggest challenges in leather work can be getting the quantities of raw material needed. I buy my Horsehide leather direct from the Horween Tannery, which is one of the oldest tanneries in the country. While it can take as long as 8-12 weeks to receive a batch of leather, I keep a steady order history of leather coming into the shop.
The other issue can be quality hardware. I am sourcing my custom screws and posts from a US based company with a long history manufacturing brass screw hardware. They tend to be a bit more expensive than other foreign based companies, but the fit and finish of their products is outstanding. I feel that it is best to buy quality upfront.
On Exotic hide perks, I have put delivery dates out further to cover delays in getting hides delivered and based on complexity of working with those hides. Obviously I would deliver early if possible.
Please share this campaign and help me spread the word. I will appreciate it immensly.