Welcome to The Purse Forum.

likeafeather77 · May 2nd, 2008, 11:12 PM

As some of you know, I bought my first BE about three weeks ago (LM in black crash). I love it so much that I've worn it every day since I got it! One problem though - the leather on the handles is starting to look worn (becoming gray-ish). Since the handles are wide, one handle gets stocked on top of the other, thus, rubbing against each other. I understant that this is inevitable and is normal wear and tear but after only three weeks??? And it's starting to become very noticeable, too!

I'm thinking that it's the coating that the crash leather has that's wearing off. I don't know what to do to make it stop from doing that!!!

Anyone else has this problem? Would you, please, look at the handles of your LM's and see if that "woven" leather string looks somewhat worn?? Or if the edging along the zipper is getting gray-ish, too?

paintednightsky · May 2nd, 2008, 11:22 PM

That is really odd. I've had my black crash much longer than you and have not had this issue. I put notebooks and some books for college in it and even this hasn't caused any problems. Did you condition/protect it before using it? I know I pulled out the whole nine yards lol I protect the same way with all my bags regardless of what people say about crash being a tough leather you don't have to worry about. I always use precautions regardless of the finish or brand. My coating is still very shiny and tough. It is the toughest leather I've ever had in my life and wears the best even though I put a crap load in it. It has been through rain as well and it's a real trooper bag for me.

I looked right now and it is in absolute pristine condition. I have to say, my other colored bags (especially my purple since I wear her a lot! :) do show some wear on the woven part but not too awful. I think it does have to do with the rubbing and friction, especially since the woven part is on the thin side and I think that is to be expected. I think in the future I'll see how comfortable it is if I lay it flat on my shoulder instead of piled together now that you mentioned it. Maybe you can try to condition it or use some wax?

With the zippers what did you mean by grayish?

I'm really sorry to hear that though

Do you have any pictures to better illustrate how bad the problem is?

dsrk · May 2nd, 2008, 11:23 PM

likeafeather77, have you informed Jackie? Have you taken photos and emailed them to her? If you haven't done so yet, please inform her and forward her photos so she can see what's happening to the handles of your Black Crash LM.

paintednightsky, what do you use to condition/protect your bags?

Contessa · May 2nd, 2008, 11:36 PM

I've had my Black Crash LM for 5 months and it looks like new. AND I wear it almost every day.

Pictures would help.

paintednightsky · May 2nd, 2008, 11:47 PM

dsrk I use apple guard conditioner or Wilson's conditioner then I use either their spray or Wilson's TLC spray. I find Wilson's less stinky so I prefer it over Apple. I know some people say they don't bother on glazed bags but I do no matter what! I treat all my bags the same and I think feeling safe because of a tougher leather, usually isn't a good idea. Some people say it dulls down the glaze but I don't find this to be true at all and I've had zero problems with any of my bags from protecting them all. I figure better safe than sorry!

dsrk · May 3rd, 2008, 01:08 AM

Thanks paintednightsky ~ I agree it's better to be safe than sorry!! And, I believe it's best to water/weather proof the leather before use.

paintednightsky · May 3rd, 2008, 08:08 AM

Oh I also wanted to add I always use 2 coats! Super safe lol And touch up occasionally at around the 6 month mark depending on frequency of use.

likeafeather, did you figure anything out yet?

Chamois · May 3rd, 2008, 12:23 PM

likeafeather, I'm so sorry that your bag is showing wear after only 3 weeks...we can tell how disappointed you are!

I know these things are so hard to describe in words...yes, pictures would help us see exactly what you're talking about. Can you post some, please, so we have a better visual?

Originally Posted by Contessa

I've had my Black Crash LM for 5 months and it looks like new. AND I wear it almost every day.

Pictures would help.

likeafeather77 · May 3rd, 2008, 12:51 PM

Thanks, everyone! I did spray / protect the bag 2x before use but it still happened! I'll try to take pics later today to show you what I mean. I'll also e-mail Jackie tonight and see what she says.

Chamois · May 3rd, 2008, 12:57 PM

Very good, and make sure you attach the photos to your e-mail to Jackie so she can tell what you're talking about as well!...I'm sure the pics will help her better understand the problem you are having.

Originally Posted by likeafeather77

Thanks, everyone! I did spray / protect the bag 2x before use but it still happened! I'll try to take pics later today to show you what I mean. I'll also e-mail Jackie tonight and see what she says.

Contessa · May 3rd, 2008, 01:01 PM

Likeafeather, the way I look at things, handbags are meant to be used and loved

You're obviously enjoying yours and depending on how you wear it, this may have something to do with the way the bag "wears"

Glad you contacted Jackie though. She's awesome!

Chamois · May 3rd, 2008, 01:05 PM

Contessa:

I don't understand the phrase "depending on how you wear it"?? Could you clarify that, please? TIA And I agree Jackie is a very nice person!

Originally Posted by Contessa

Likeafeather, the way I look at things, handbags are meant to be used and loved

You're obviously enjoying yours and depending on how you wear it, this may have something to do with the way the bag "wears"

Glad you contacted Jackie though. She's awesome!

posk51 · May 3rd, 2008, 01:51 PM

I believe, and correct me if I am wrong, Contessa--is that some folks are harder on their bags than others. IE: laying them on floors, spilling on them...etc...two people who bought the same bag at the same time would probably have different wear shown on the bag. It's as individual as the person herself, no?!

Contessa · May 3rd, 2008, 01:57 PM

Originally Posted by posk51

I believe, and correct me if I am wrong, Contessa--is that some folks are harder on their bags than others. IE: laying them on floors, spilling on them...etc...two people who bought the same bag at the same time would probably have different wear shown on the bag. It's as individual as the person herself, no?!

That's it Posk.

I knew my statement was pretty clear to begin with.

Ms.Lizardo · May 3rd, 2008, 01:57 PM

I agree Posk.....I have girlfriends that we have purchased the same bag before and like when we get together 6 months later and both are wearing the same bag it's like "gee they look totally different" Even down to the way they slouch....

May 2nd, 2008, 11:12 PM	#1
likeafeather77 OP Member Joined: Mar 2006 Location: USA Posts: 3,763	Leather getting worn on the handles?? As some of you know, I bought my first BE about three weeks ago (LM in black crash). I love it so much that I've worn it every day since I got it! One problem though - the leather on the handles is starting to look worn (becoming gray-ish). Since the handles are wide, one handle gets stocked on top of the other, thus, rubbing against each other. I understant that this is inevitable and is normal wear and tear but after only three weeks??? And it's starting to become very noticeable, too! I'm thinking that it's the coating that the crash leather has that's wearing off. I don't know what to do to make it stop from doing that!!! Anyone else has this problem? Would you, please, look at the handles of your LM's and see if that "woven" leather string looks somewhat worn?? Or if the edging along the zipper is getting gray-ish, too?

May 2nd, 2008, 11:22 PM	#2
paintednightsky Member Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 3,386	Re: Leather getting worn on the handles?? That is really odd. I've had my black crash much longer than you and have not had this issue. I put notebooks and some books for college in it and even this hasn't caused any problems. Did you condition/protect it before using it? I know I pulled out the whole nine yards lol I protect the same way with all my bags regardless of what people say about crash being a tough leather you don't have to worry about. I always use precautions regardless of the finish or brand. My coating is still very shiny and tough. It is the toughest leather I've ever had in my life and wears the best even though I put a crap load in it. It has been through rain as well and it's a real trooper bag for me. I looked right now and it is in absolute pristine condition. I have to say, my other colored bags (especially my purple since I wear her a lot! :) do show some wear on the woven part but not too awful. I think it does have to do with the rubbing and friction, especially since the woven part is on the thin side and I think that is to be expected. I think in the future I'll see how comfortable it is if I lay it flat on my shoulder instead of piled together now that you mentioned it. Maybe you can try to condition it or use some wax? With the zippers what did you mean by grayish? I'm really sorry to hear that though Do you have any pictures to better illustrate how bad the problem is?
paintednightsky Member Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 3,386	__________________ Waiting For Tano Grape Minilisa Wishlist RM BBW or Violet, Kooba Smooth Black Sienna, Ignes Chiara/Ormala My Bag Collection http://forum.purseblog.com/your-bag-...on-293432.html

May 2nd, 2008, 11:23 PM	#3
dsrk In deo speramus Joined: Oct 2007 Posts: 3,176	Re: Leather getting worn on the handles?? likeafeather77, have you informed Jackie? Have you taken photos and emailed them to her? If you haven't done so yet, please inform her and forward her photos so she can see what's happening to the handles of your Black Crash LM. paintednightsky, what do you use to condition/protect your bags?
dsrk In deo speramus Joined: Oct 2007 Posts: 3,176	Last edited by dsrk; May 2nd, 2008 at 11:27 PM.

May 2nd, 2008, 11:36 PM	#4
Contessa Have a nice day Joined: Sep 2007 Posts: 5,006	Re: Leather getting worn on the handles?? I've had my Black Crash LM for 5 months and it looks like new. AND I wear it almost every day. Pictures would help.
Contessa Have a nice day Joined: Sep 2007 Posts: 5,006

May 2nd, 2008, 11:47 PM	#5
paintednightsky Member Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 3,386	Re: Leather getting worn on the handles?? dsrk I use apple guard conditioner or Wilson's conditioner then I use either their spray or Wilson's TLC spray. I find Wilson's less stinky so I prefer it over Apple. I know some people say they don't bother on glazed bags but I do no matter what! I treat all my bags the same and I think feeling safe because of a tougher leather, usually isn't a good idea. Some people say it dulls down the glaze but I don't find this to be true at all and I've had zero problems with any of my bags from protecting them all. I figure better safe than sorry!
paintednightsky Member Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 3,386	__________________ Waiting For Tano Grape Minilisa Wishlist RM BBW or Violet, Kooba Smooth Black Sienna, Ignes Chiara/Ormala My Bag Collection http://forum.purseblog.com/your-bag-...on-293432.html

May 3rd, 2008, 01:08 AM	#6
dsrk In deo speramus Joined: Oct 2007 Posts: 3,176	Re: Leather getting worn on the handles?? Thanks paintednightsky ~ I agree it's better to be safe than sorry!! And, I believe it's best to water/weather proof the leather before use.
dsrk In deo speramus Joined: Oct 2007 Posts: 3,176

May 3rd, 2008, 08:08 AM	#7
paintednightsky Member Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 3,386	Re: Leather getting worn on the handles?? Oh I also wanted to add I always use 2 coats! Super safe lol And touch up occasionally at around the 6 month mark depending on frequency of use. likeafeather, did you figure anything out yet?
paintednightsky Member Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 3,386	__________________ Waiting For Tano Grape Minilisa Wishlist RM BBW or Violet, Kooba Smooth Black Sienna, Ignes Chiara/Ormala My Bag Collection http://forum.purseblog.com/your-bag-...on-293432.html

May 3rd, 2008, 12:51 PM	#9
likeafeather77 OP Member Joined: Mar 2006 Location: USA Posts: 3,763	Re: Leather getting worn on the handles?? Thanks, everyone! I did spray / protect the bag 2x before use but it still happened! I'll try to take pics later today to show you what I mean. I'll also e-mail Jackie tonight and see what she says.

May 3rd, 2008, 01:01 PM	#11
Contessa Have a nice day Joined: Sep 2007 Posts: 5,006	Re: Leather getting worn on the handles?? Likeafeather, the way I look at things, handbags are meant to be used and loved You're obviously enjoying yours and depending on how you wear it, this may have something to do with the way the bag "wears" Glad you contacted Jackie though. She's awesome!
Contessa Have a nice day Joined: Sep 2007 Posts: 5,006

May 3rd, 2008, 01:51 PM	#13
posk51 Plaisir D' Amour Joined: Jul 2007 Location: Chicagoland Posts: 4,161	Re: Leather getting worn on the handles?? I believe, and correct me if I am wrong, Contessa--is that some folks are harder on their bags than others. IE: laying them on floors, spilling on them...etc...two people who bought the same bag at the same time would probably have different wear shown on the bag. It's as individual as the person herself, no?!

May 3rd, 2008, 01:57 PM	#15
Ms.Lizardo Member Joined: Feb 2007 Location: Sunny South Florida Posts: 8,331	Re: Leather getting worn on the handles?? I agree Posk.....I have girlfriends that we have purchased the same bag before and like when we get together 6 months later and both are wearing the same bag it's like "gee they look totally different" Even down to the way they slouch....

Welcome to The Purse Forum.

Our Purse Forum, or TPF, is the #1 online social network for everything designer handbag related. Join over 200,000 enthusiastic members in this friendly community and start engaging in the discussion today.