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Cash wallet advice needed

Discussion in 'Other Every Day Carry Items' started by gdwtvb, Aug 23, 2021.

  1. gdwtvb

    gdwtvb Loaded Pockets

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    Hello,

    I am once again on the quest for the perfect wallet. Actually, maybe the perfect second wallet. If you don’t like to read I’ll start with my quest: I want a great wallet for carrying a maximum of three cards and at least fifteen bills of cash.


    And now an explanation/reminiscence.


    My first real wallet was a full-size biker’s wallet on a chain. You know the giant leather things that held cash flat, not folded. Eventually, sometime after high school, I gave it up and went through countless versions of the bi- or tri- fold designs. Nylon, Velcro, leather, I tried everything available throughout many years, always moving on to something else when my current wallet wore out or I was feeling dissatisfied.


    For many years I worked in a warehouse moving freight for a living. It was at this time that I first discovered the EDC forums. One of the first products I discovered here was the Spec Ops brand THE Wallets. I carried one or another version of Spec Ops brand THE Wallets for well more than a decade. Of all my EDC purchases, these have survived the most use and abuse of any. I have three, a full size, a junior, and a now discontinued Checkbook THE wallet (The zipper closure version). And while very old and worn they all are still perfectly serviceable, just not very pretty anymore. I no longer work in a warehouse, and I grew tired of lugging around a bulky wallet. I also began to mellow, a tactical Cordura bombproof wallet just isn’t quite my style anymore. These wallets also held much more than necessary, and I had a tendency to stuff them full of receipts and business cards until they became totally unwieldy and then do housecleaning that generally came with a vow to never overload them again. I am glad my character is not determined by how pitifully I kept the vow to never overload the wallets again.


    A few years ago, I thought I had found it, the elusive ‘perfect’ EDC wallet. I got a Dango T02 titanium tactical wallet. The Dango is perfectly comfortable for front pocket carry to me. The Dango is perfect for carrying cards, I never fumble or have a problem finding or accessing the cards I need. As a bonus it is small enough to slip into a shirt pocket when going through a drive through. I can’t count the number of times my wallet dropped to the floor of the car over the years leaving drive through restaurants because I tried to balance my wallet on the dash, my lap, or on the center console. It is even perfect for carrying a small amount of emergency cash. Folded in thirds beneath the silicon band, the money is secure, accessible, and yet unobtrusive.


    The only job the Dango is not perfect for is regular access to cash. Adding cash to the wallet means you must remove all the cash currently stored there, straighten it all out, add the new cash, carefully fold the new bundle into thirds, and then insert it back beneath the wide silicon band. It is not a quick process for me, but dexterity hasn’t ever been my strong suit. I feel like I am holding up the line trying to do it upon checkout, so I generally just shove my change into a pocket and do it later. Lately, I have found I am using cash more than I remember ever doing in the past; flea markets, food trucks, estate sales, and even antique dealers.

    Now onto my quandary, do I start over and begin looking for the elusive perfect wallet again, or maybe adopt a 2 wallet system? One to carry when I expect to use cash and another for when credit is king? Or maybe carry both all the time? Right now, I am of the opinion that there is no singular perfect wallet, much like backpacks. A hiking backpack is not the perfect answer for urban use and an urban bookbag isn’t a great option for a 5-mile trek through the woods. Anyways, back to my question; what is the best wallet to carry a maximum of three cards and at least fifteen bills of cash?


    Thanks Grizz
     
  2. echo victor

    echo victor Previously "YankeeHotelFoxtrot"

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    I use a Dango D1 Dapper wallet for cards, driver's license, registration, insurance and a Tile, and carry a Ti money clip for cash. This system works well for me. I find that I use cash less and less, most often when I leave a tip after ordering takeout. I agree with you that the Dango is not great for carrying cash.
     
    ox71 likes this.
  3. ox71

    ox71 Loaded Pockets

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    Keep your dango and buy a good clip and keep it separate

    .
     
    gdwtvb likes this.
  4. EZDog

    EZDog EDC Junkie!!!!!

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    The Big Skinny Wallet changed my life really!
     
  5. ox71

    ox71 Loaded Pockets

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    What this?



    .
     
  6. EZDog

    EZDog EDC Junkie!!!!!

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    This is the one that I use and it is hard to explain how great it is. It is just thin yet tough and insanely roomy but never gets fat in the pocket and I have had a ton of cash in it every time I go on the road along with the rest of the crap I need to carry.

    It also fits the Vaccination Card laminated in the large pocket which is turning out really handy too!

    https://www.bigskinny.net/wallet-bifold-hipster.html
     
  7. gdwtvb

    gdwtvb Loaded Pockets

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    I think that's what I am going to do as well. I like the looks of the Superior Titanium clips, I'll probably order one next payday.

    Grizz
     
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  8. jag-engr
    • Administrator

    jag-engr Semper Bufo!
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    I'll share my wallet experiences, for what they're worth:

    Dash Slim Wallet 2.0
    • great card wallet
    • not ideal for cash
    • perfect for front pocket carry

    Dash Slim Wallet 4.0
    • card slots too tight to use
    • flat seams ruined previous design

    Big Skinny Men's Slim Wallet
    • good organization of cards and cash
    • too big for front pocket carry

    Bellroy Note Sleeve
    • great style
    • good for cards and bills
    • does not last long enough to justify $80 cost (IMO)

    Pabin knock-off of Bellroy Note Sleeve
    • comparable to Bellroy, but cheaper
    • adds RFID protection (FWIW)
    • thicker, but also more durable
    • current EDC wallet

    All that being said, I am seriously considering a Slimfold Minimalist Wallet to see if it can incorporate the benefits of the Dash Slim with a billfold.
     
    echo victor likes this.
  9. vadsoom

    vadsoom Loaded Pockets

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    I’ve been carrying an AllEtt nylon wallet in my front pocket for years. They are minimalist, hold up well and carry everything I need.
     
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  10. jag-engr
    • Administrator

    jag-engr Semper Bufo!
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    Which version do you use? I really like the look of their new Leather Sport Wallet and Leather ID Wallet. They have the exterior leather look and wearing characteristics with the function and slimness of a nylon interior.
     
  11. vadsoom

    vadsoom Loaded Pockets

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    I’ve used both the leather nylon sport wallets. I prefer the nylon, but it’s a matter of preference. I especially like that the card pockets open towards the middle. It prevents dumping cards if I happen to pull the wallet out of my pocket upside-down. That, and the slim “front pocket” design is what keeps me coming back to them.
     
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  12. jag-engr
    • Administrator

    jag-engr Semper Bufo!
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    That has been my experience with Big Skinny wallets, as well. However, more recent iterations advertise that they have added a friction strip (it looks like a line of silicone adhesive to me) to the inside edge to prevent that from happening. I don't know if it would help with multiple cards, though.

    Growing up, we had a family friend who was a chiropractor. He emphasize repeatedly not to carry a wallet in a back pocket. I've only ever carried front pocket wallets.
     
  13. Jay-uk

    Jay-uk Loaded Pockets

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    Chums surf Wallet, perfection
     
  14. Mumbojumboo
    • GITD Manix 2XL Owner

    Mumbojumboo EDC Junkie!!!!!

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    I've tried many. I eventually dump my cards or cash at the gate, check in, or beer garden.

    For me, a flap closure is a must.[​IMG]

    Sent from my SM-G960U1 using Tapatalk
     
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