Welcome to the Urban EDC Showcase! Each week, we feature one member of the EDC community and the gear they rely on every day. Want to be featured? Submit your gear photo.
From Morgantown, WV, Jason (@monkmadegoods) creates some of the finest and most functional leather goods by hand. The name “Monk Made” was informed by his interest in psychology and philosophy and inspired by those who work hard to take and shape their own paths. Read on for Jason’s ever-evolving daily carry and learn about his transition from legal counselor to leather craftsman.
Featured Tools:
My EDC is always changing, since I like to test out different leathers to see how their initial break-in period lasts and how quickly the leather will age. The only constant is that they are always natural vegetable tanned leathers! I love the patina that develops!
- Wallet & Moleskine Cover: Monk Made Goods
My current EDC is my “Ode #2” mid length wallet and Moleskine planner both made from natural Italian leather from Walpier Conceria, a renowned tannery located just outside of Tuscany, Italy.
The mid length wallet is less than 6 months old and has aged beautifully in such a short time period. While the journal cover is nearly a year old, but stays at my desk most of the time.
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Key Lanyard: Salazar and Sons
The key lanyard is made from Wickett & Craig’s natural vegetable tanned leather (another amazing tannery located in Pennsylvania) and is a year and a half old and comes from the talented Richard Salazar, owner and maker of Salazar and Sons based in Los Angeles, CA. We traded work some time ago and this key lanyard is just amazing, inspired by various Japanese makers, it’s a thing of beauty! -
Phone Cover: Monk Made Goods
Lastly, the light leather phone slip case was hastily made from Tochigi leather from Japan. I’m currently testing out this leather, it’s aging properties and durability, and is less than a month old… so, no verdict on that as of now!
Background:
I’m Jason Boone and my home and workshop are located in Morgantown, WV.
I’m grateful to have recently have become a full time craftsman creating leather wallets, pouches, and various cases. For the past two years I’ve ran my shop as well as kept pace with a demanding full time job – the transition has been hectic, but satisfying beyond belief!
Honestly, there hasn’t been much free time lately, but I usually like to unwind with either a book or a movie – I used to be an avid reader of classic psychology and philosophy, as well as checking out a good horror or thriller movie if one caught my eye. Outside of the usual, I love animals in just about any shape or form. If they have more than 4 legs… Let’s just say I won’t be around!
My interest in EDC comes solely from being a maker and seeing how people put there various goods to use. My goal is to create functional goods that will stand the test of time, as well as being aesthetically pleasing, developing character along the way depending on their owner. Seeing how my creations have been used and treated over the past few years has been a true pleasure!
Favorite EDC Tool:
Without a doubt my Ode #2 mid wallet! I’ve played around with several variations of this classic model of wallet for years and can finally say that both of my mid wallet designs are finalized.
So, it kind of represents a culmination of years of trial and error, making only the smallest changes with each design. I suppose there’s some OCD in my EDC 😉. I’m happy I can finally move onto something else!
What's On Your Gear Radar:
Since I usually make anything that would be in my EDC, it’ll be my next creation.
I’m hoping to have a long term patina “challenge” for 2019, so stay tuned. I’ll be carrying a fresh mid wallet in one leather, while a maker friend, and now a customer (so humbled by any maker that chooses to by from me!), will be carrying a nearly identical mid wallet in another leather. I can’t wait to see how the two look at the end of the year.
Lastly, if time permits, I’ll be sporting a natural Baker’s bridle leather belt, from the renowned J & FJ Bakers & Company – one of Britain’s finest tanneries!