Ashland Leather was founded by Phil Kalas and Dan Cordova, two long-time Horween tannery workers with a shared passion for high-quality leather.

Ashland Leather wallets are made exclusively with Horween leather, ensuring unmatched quality, durability, and timeless style. We back every wallet with a lifetime guarantee. if it ever rips of its stitching comes undone, we'll repair or replace it without charge.


Phil Kalas| Ashland Co-Founder
"Imagine being a wheat farmer who harvests grain all day but never bakes anything." That's how Phil Kalas describes working at Horween before he started Ashland Leather Co. His knowledge and passion for the tanning trade pushed him to create a business that allowed him to work with the leather he was producing, turning out a few beautiful and durable wallets for friends and savvy shoppers. Ashland's first batch was a hit and the rest is history.
"It gives me great pride to make something of quality that people can pass onto their kids," Phil says. "We could certainly churn out wallets faster and cheaper if we cut corners on materials and workmanship, but I would never do that. Everything that ships from our shop is a heritage American-made product that we guarantee for life."


Dan Cordova| Ashland Co-Founder
Dan Cordova has been in love with leather for as long as he can remember. After two decades in the tanning business, his respect for the world's best leather materials is unparalleled — heck, his last name is Cordova, after all, the Spanish city from which Shell Cordovan originated ten centuries ago.
"When I make a wallet, I start with the best hides and simply try not to screw up something that starts so beautiful," Dan says.
"We only use Horween Leather, so our challenge is different: we have to respect and represent the materials we spend our days making. Our job at Ashland is to do justice to the leather."

DAN CORDOVA & PHIL KALAS

FAQ

Are your products made in America?

Yes! 100% of Ashland's products are made in Chicago, Ill., U.S.A., right down to the leather itself, which is manufactured exclusively at Chicago's oldest operating tannery, Horween® Leather.

Can I come visit your wallets and workshop in person?

Absolutely. We allow in person visits by appointment only. The best times to visit are typically Monday-Friday from 11-5. Please email info@ashlandleather.com to schedule an appointment.

Can I get a custom wallet? (Style, colors or leathers)

Yes! We try to stick within our patterns and have the ability to customize wallets via unique leathers/colors, utilizing multiple colors within a wallet, different thread colors, stamp/branding etc. There is a 10% custom fee and potentially additional fees depending on the customization.

Do you offer hand stitching?

Yes, we are able to accommodate hand stitching for an additional fee. Prices are subject to change based on the item but most wallets have a $100 fee. Hand stitching would require us to make the item to order as well. Please email info@ashlandleather.com to get your order started.

Do you do repairs?

Yes, we are able to repair any of our products. Please email info@ashlandleather.com with a photo of the issue and to schedule a repair. We do not repair items outside of Ashland Leather Co. products.

What's your return/exchange policy?

We accept returns or exchanges as long as the item is in the same condition in which it was received. Personalized items cannot be returned.

Can I return a personalized item?

No. We cannot accept returns for personalized or monogrammed products.

What does "B-Grade" mean?

Ashland sometimes sells wallets we have deemed B-Grade or Blemished, but rest assured, our Blem items are better than our competitors' regular stock.

We have incredibly exacting standards for leather textures, stitch regularity and quality control, so you can be confident that if you order one of these items, it will last just as long as a standard Ashland stock wallet and be covered by the same Ashland Lifetime Guarantee.

It'll just have a little more character!

Is my belt size the same as my pants size?

No. The easiest way to select a perfect-fitting Ashland belt is by measuring your favorite current belt.

How To Measure:

Take off your belt and measure from the buckle bar to the hole you wear. This is the size to order.

Our belts are measured true to size, meaning the listed length is the true length in inches from the buckle bar to the middle adjustment hole. Therefore, you should typically purchase a belt one size (2") longer than your standard jeans waist size. (If you wear a 34 waist jean, buy the 36" L belt.)

How do I care for my Ashland Leather product?

Our wallets, belts and watch straps will last a lifetime, but to get the most beautiful patina over the years, a simple leather conditioning regimen will keep your stuff looking its best.

Here's a video of Phil Kalas explaining how to use Tanner's Blend to clean and condition Horween® leather.

What is Shell Cordovan (and why is it more expensive)?

Shell Cordovan is the world's most luxurious and sought-after leather, and it's what Chicago's Horween® Leather Company is most famous for.

Shell Cordovan is smooth and supple to the touch, incredibly durable and possesses a unique luster that only gets better with age and use. Made from the "shell" -- the layer of strong connective tissue below the hide of a horse's hindquarters ("butt").

Because of the complex production and tanning process, as well as the discriminating selection of the highest quality hides, Shell Cordovan costs more. But trust us, it's worth it!

Ask Us Anything


  • Fast & Free Shipping

    All orders have a one business day handling time to polish and pack your item. Items may ship with UPS, FedEx, DHL, or USPS.

    Domestic Shipping:

    • Orders Over $150 - Free Shipping (Delivery time is 3-5 business days from the shipping date).
    • Orders Under $150 - $6.50 (Delivery time is 3-5 business days from ship date).
    • Expedited Shipping - $16.50 (Delivery time is 1-3 business days from ship date).
    • Overnight or 2-Day Shipping is available. Please contact us for more info.
  • Always Hassle-Free Returns

    Please contact us for any questions regarding the return of an item.  If you receive an item and don't love it, we will accept any unused items back without question.

    Our goal is to make sure that you have an item that you love for life! Do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or concerns.

    We may ask you for a picture of the wallet to completely understand any questions you might have about your purchase. Customized and monogrammed products cannot be returned.

  • Ashland's Lifetime Guarantee

    We want to make sure that you can gift your wallet on to your grand kids as a one-of-a-kind family heirloom. Our warranty to you: If your wallet ever breaks please let us know and we will repair or replace it. Service is available for the lifetime of the original purchaser.

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