Box Leather??

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#16
Grands Fonds said:
I have quite a few boxcalf bags, and while it does scratch and patina over time, it's by far my favourite regular leather. Having said that, I have sent many of these bags tp FSH to spa, and let me tell you, the idea that H can get box looking almost like new again is a furphy. I'm really anally retentive (LOL) about my bags in general (although I'm all for bags that get used, and LOOK like they get used), but bumped boxcalf corners and things like deep scratches just can't be re-furbed.

If you can live with that, it really is the most special leather. Just heavenly.
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I'm not sure what the word "furphy" means. But I do know from personal experience that once horribly worn corners of a very old black box back kelly (sellier) came back from the spa looking brand new. A lot of the existing deep scratches (as I stated above) were covered, but not erased, but the old girl looks nearly perfect. I have already added my own new scratches to it.
One of my recommendations would be if you were to consider box, never, ever, carry the lock and clochette, because the lock can scratch and the keys can make their way loose from the clochette and scratch the bag. That was my theory on my bag. Also, I would not carry a cadena on a box bag that you want to keep pristine as possible. That's just asking for trouble and scratches on a bag that you want to keep unscratched!! But, it will scratch and it will grow more beautiful every time you use it.
I was told by the craftsman that the repair would bring the bag back to 90%. Not bad for a bag nearly 40 years old.
 
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#17
Grands Fonds said:
I have quite a few boxcalf bags, and while it does scratch and patina over time, it's by far my favourite regular leather. Having said that, I have sent many of these bags tp FSH to spa, and let me tell you, the idea that H can get box looking almost like new again is a furphy. I'm really anally retentive (LOL) about my bags in general (although I'm all for bags that get used, and LOOK like they get used), but bumped boxcalf corners and things like deep scratches just can't be re-furbed.

If you can live with that, it really is the most special leather. Just heavenly.
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Hey Dearest, good to see you around:hugs:!!! How's "our" Box baby, by the way?????;)
 
#18
First thanks to all who took the time to respond to an "asked before" topic. Thanks especially to Syma who provided the links to some marvelous reading. I recommend everyone read "whats your favorite leather and why", I had no idea my leather leanings revealed so much about my personality! What has happened to all the posters that shared on that thread?

I also learned what a "furphy" was! It is Australian slang for "rumour" My stepson and his wife live in Melbourne so next time we speak I will impress them with my new knowledge! Thanks Grand Fronds.

I am going to go for the box. I have bags in clemence, togo, swift, vache liagee, barenia/toile so i guess I would like a box bag to round out the collection.
 
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#20
Sorry Spoo. :back2topic:

Here's a few before and after pics of my own well loved brique boxcalf. You could see the dryness, scratches, scuffs and water marks etc. before my own DIY with nothing but neutral meltonian cream as suggested by my H craftlady. The results is amazing patina hiding all flaws. The flaws won't disappear. They simply blend into patina KWIM. When boxcalf goes to H spa, the results are even better than my own DIY.
As they say, a picture tells a thousand words..... :love:boxcalf!!!

Go ahead and use your beauties as they are meant to be used and loved, but do stay away from water as much as possible.

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Miss Brique is now at H spa. How i miss her...
 
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#24
Box leather is wonderful, but you have to be the kind of personality that can deal with the look of scratches and wear. It is tough to really enjoy a box bag day in and day out without a bit of use showing up on the bag. kwim? If you can deal wihth that much of it can be fixed to look fresh again with a spa treatment.
 
#25
I LOVE the "new" look of box leather because it is so perfect. It's gorgeous, but it does scratch almost immediately. There may be lots of trips back to the boutique for fixes. I do not have a box calf birkin or kelly, but smaller accessories. I find it looks "worn" very quickly. But, if this will be used for special occasions...it should work fine. This is one of those type of leathers that need TLC and to be neatly packed away in the dust cover and box nightly.:salute:
 
#27
LTC!!!:DSo good to see you and your beautiful bags!!:flowers:

Sorry but I like box too.:shame:I have box but I love the well loved look. Never been a fan of pristine.*Its something I am unable to do!!:p* I like a bag like Barenia, box and ostrich where it is suppose to show use.
 
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#29
Spoo said:
I also learned what a "furphy" was! It is Australian slang for "rumour" My stepson and his wife live in Melbourne so next time we speak I will impress them with my new knowledge! Thanks Grand Fronds.
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LOL! Sorry about that! I didn't realise it was an Aussie term...I'm so used to hearing it!

Glad to hear you're going for boxcalf, you'll just adore it...and it only gets better over time. A few old member here have some box bags from the 40's, and they're just incredible.
 
#30
licencetocook said:
Grands Fonds - Is it really GF? It's so good to see you here. and Duna also! Miss you both.
:hugs::kiss::hugs:
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*SMOOCH!!!!*:nuts: HEY LTC and PEKO!!!!!

Great pics, those Birkins are just beautiful. I agree with CB, the box can go through an 'growing" phase, but in the end, it's all worth it.

I did send my beige box Kelly to the spa a few years back, and sadly it was returned almost untouched. I think it depends on the colour, too? I've had great success with darker coloured box at the spa, but all my lighter ones came back either hardly touched or seemingly "painted" over the bumped corners. Weird, but nothing I can't live with.

Another thing to mention - I've had "soft, sqishy" box and really thick, structured, stiff box. Both are good, but there are differences.

IMO, box is an easy risk to take (and it will reward you!). If you want a nightmare, try Natural Chamonix...LOL!
 
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