Birkin handles: thickness

[mrssparkles]

I like slim and sturdy handles. Thick, does not mean it's good. Great workmanship is when the craftsman is able to produce thin handles with stiff leathers. Like Box.

Handles start to get thicker if too much resin is applied to the raw ends (the side where the stitching is) of the handles. Pretty obvious, really.

Leathers/Skins that are more souple i.e. more malleable, would usually have thinner handles, i.e. Swift.

 

[mrssparkles]

CDL, thank you. That's amazing! What great close-ups!

Are both the same, of is one porosus and one niloticus?

 

[mrssparkles]

I am very curious what forms the core of the handles? Layers of cow skin?

 

[mooks]

Or could it not be because one set of handles has more leather?

I don't know how they construct the handles but lets just say it's using folded leather then surely thicker handles would mean it has more leather. And if it's not this way and they use some sort of filling then thicker handles would have more filling and therefore be sturdier

 

[Bella_Figura]

CDL, thanx for the pics!!
I have no Birkins, but you know, I feel a difference on my Bolides. Strangely on my 37 ,the handles seem a little thinner than on my 31. Both are Clemence.
I have to say I find the thicker ones a little more comfortable to carry.

 

[mrssparkles]

Just want to add on - my comments earlier, were for same sized birkins.

 

[India]

I don't have a Birkin, but I ADORE the heavy, thick handle of my Kelly. It has such a good substantial feel about it. It reminds me of the wood/leather steering wheel on my Audi and it's one of my favorite things about that car.

I know...I know...I'm crazy...

 

[Pepper]

^^That is a great analogy. I have an M-series steering wheel in my BMW and feel exactly the same way.

 

[lilgigigal]

CDL, tks for the comparison pics...

this is a very interesting topic raised as i didnt realised there wld be differences...

 

[Miinee]

I don't have an Hermes bag so I can't comment on thick vs thin, but as to the materials that make up the handle...this thread reminded me of an article I saw on the NYT website: http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2003/11/28/magazine/20031130HERMES.SLIDESHOW_1.html

excerpt:
''The handle is the hardest part,'' Gandrille says. ''If it is not perfect, the bag is not perfect.'' The handle is six pieces of leather; Grassi is shaving the leather to thin it.
It usually takes novice Hermès artisans 10 handles before they perfect their craft. ''A good handle,'' Gandrille says, ''will take three and a half hours to make.''

(Definitely go for the link, it has pictures! )

 

[createursdeluxe]

Both handles were matte niloticus crocodile.......the lighter croco is stamped F and the darker croco is stamped I.
The skin on the lighter crocodile feels thinker on the straps too. I think this is due to the thickness of the skin how the handles came out thicker.
No one would think crocodile would have varying skin thickness.......wonder how that works?
CDL

 

[mooks]

I guess thickness of leather would be down to how it has been dealt with by the tanner

 

[whitebirkin]

Or could it not be because one set of handles has more leather?

I don't know how they construct the handles but lets just say it's using folded leather then surely thicker handles would mean it has more leather. And if it's not this way and they use some sort of filling then thicker handles would have more filling and therefore be sturdier

I absolutely agree with you, Mooks. That is the case with my silver metallic Birkin. You wouldn't believe just how thick the handles (and the entire bag, actually) are. There's no resin that could be seen, everything just folded leather.

Also, my L stamped shiny black croco has thicker handles and flap than my other croco birkins. The difference is quite noticeable... just as CDL has pointed out in the two comparison pics.

 

[mrssparkles]

Both handles were matte niloticus crocodile.......the lighter croco is stamped F and the darker croco is stamped I.
The skin on the lighter crocodile feels thinker on the straps too. I think this is due to the thickness of the skin how the handles came out thicker.
No one would think crocodile would have varying skin thickness.......wonder how that works?
CDL

Thank you, CDL for posting back. Wonder if it's a case of the skill of the craftsman OR good croc VS young croc. Some thick-skinned and some thin-skinned. Sorry, just joking.

 

[LaBoheme]

Thank you, CDL for posting back. Wonder if it's a case of the skill of the craftsman OR good croc VS young croc. Some thick-skinned and some thin-skinned. Sorry, just joking.