Happy EntrepreNewYear: Burnt Hand – handmade custom leather goods

Burnt Hand Leather Works (@burnt_hand_leather_works) is a company run by Richmond, Virginia's Adam Musselman. It's all handmade custom leather goods, all crafted from US materials. Musselman builds a wide variety of things, though it appears that wallets and billfolds, field note covers and leather “organizers” (a mundane word for this sort of work) are his primary focus. Among them: the BHLW Tül Wallet, the Original and the V4. His work comes in numerous dyes and finishes, including walnut, natural, piebald, vinegaroon black, bicolor black, several other solid colors and some worked with contrasting hues.

We're going to start 2016 out right — I'll be doing my best to showcase worthy small American businesses all through the month of January. Capitalism is part of the foundation upon which our great republic stands, and small business is a vital part of that. Join us in recognizing and acknowledging that truth. Happy EntrepreNewYear!

Vinegaroon black is made by rusting iron nails in white vinegar for a week. After the leather is cut he submerges it in the dye, then immediately rinses it and puts it into a baking soda bath to neutralize the dye, followed by more rinses. Laborious perhaps, but the results speak for themselves.

The BHLW Tül Wallet is described as follows:

“Be it kitchen utensils, barbers tools, gardening implements, camping gadgets, EDC (Every Day Carry) gear or anything else you can think to stuff it with, the Tül Wallet is the perfect companion for keeping your gear safe, organized and close at hand. All Tül Wallets are made of materials 100% sourced in the USA.”

Of the V3 BHLW says,

“With a reinforced back lip and wide mouth opening, the V3 is designed to house more gear and provide easier accessibility. The addition of a solid brass D-ring gives you the option of hanging your keys, wallet chain, paracord lanyard or anything else from the back lip. The D-ring is threaded providing you the option of wearing the V3 in the left or right pocket or removing the D-ring completely. Made from Hermann & Oak veg tanned leather and composed of materials 100% made in the USA.”

From left to right: original Tül Wallet in natural with scarlet stitching and copper rivets, V3 Tül wallet in brown with white stitching and brass rivets, Slim Tül Wallet (his personal one) with all brass riveted construction.

Musselman describes the Original thusly:

“The Original. The one that started it all. Straightforward and rugged. The Original is more simple in design than other models but don't let that fool you. It is a workhorse that will be with you a lifetime. Made from Hermann & Oak veg tanned leather and composed of materials 100% made in the USA.”

Follow Burnt Hand Leather Works on Instagram using @burnt_hand_leather_works. You can find my complete roundup of Happy EntrepreNewYear posts right here.