Pueblo Olmo

Made from Badalassi Carlo's Pueblo leather in Olmo, a warm caramel tan, which will transform into a deep brown over time. Badalassi Carlo is a small tannery in Tuscany that still tans the slow, traditional way, with vegetable tannins from tree bark. Pueblo gets its dry, rough-looking surface from a light buffing after tanning, so it starts out matte and a little rustic. It's one of the fastest leathers out there to patina. The second photo shows a new case next to a well-worn wallet in the same leather. Saddle-stitched with waxed Riza Tiger thread.

Built around big, heavy flat-picks: Bluechip, Token, Tone Slab, Wegen, Golden Gate, real tortoiseshell. The triangle picks that cost real money and vanish the second you set them down. Eight of them slide into their own slots and stay put. The flap folds over a skived tongue and tucks closed. No snaps, no magnets, nothing metal to gouge a pick or instrument. About 3¼ inches square, slim enough for a gig-bag pocket, a jacket, or the accessory pouch of a hard case.

Cut from 4–5 oz full-grain leather and saddle-stitched entirely by hand, two needles, one stitch at a time. If a stitch ever gets nicked, the seam holds instead of unraveling the way machine stitching does. The tongue is skived down to make it easy to slide through the closure. Made in batches of 5 or so, after work, in my Chicago apartment. No two exactly alike.

Pueblo is meant to be used, and it changes fast. Wipe it down with a dry or barely-damp rag and skip soap and harsh cleaners. Water will spot it, so blot spills right away instead of letting them dry in. Go easy on conditioner: a little Venetian Leather Balm once it feels dry is plenty, and expect it to darken the leather a shade. Keep it out of long soaks and direct heat. Sunlight and handling will both darken it, which is what this leather is known for.