Volynka Russian Leather

[Hat Trick]

Having owned a Volynka bag for close to 2 years now, I felt the need to share my experience with this unique leather. It's remarkable how it has evolved, especially considering it changes more rapidly than other leathers H offers.

First up, let's talk about the patina. Just take a look at the two pictures below. Over time, my Volynka bag has beautifully transformed, embracing a deeper, more lustrous mahogany shade than when I first unboxed it. The dark patches that used to be visible on the skin have become less noticeable because of the darkening. It's truly fascinating to see this change.

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Observing the patina's development, it's clear how it significantly enhances the leather's shine over time. A brand-new Volynka has a subtle sheen, yet tends to be more on the matte side. However, as the years go by, a patinated Volynka evolves to gleam almost as brilliantly as boxcalf. And just to note, that glow on the right isn't from a flash—it's natural sunlight streaming in from my window.

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Moving on, let's discuss the leather's initial rigidity. Fresh out of the box, the bag felt as stiff as cardboard. But over time and with regular use, its texture has transformed, becoming noticeably suppler and more manageable. The picture below illustrates this well; you can spot a sort of valley in the area that sees the most action—the bag's opening. This unique shape also likely developed from how the bag is carried and the fact that I don’t typically fill it to capacity.

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I've realized that if I lay it on its side now and then, it stops that valley from forming. So, I do that every so often.

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Since my bag's kinda big and I bring it over to the gym every other day, it's bound to get a few scratches. But hey, I'm not sweating it, as long as it doesn't get permanent holes. Those little scratches? They just add a bit of character and make it scream, Yes, that's my bag!

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[This post is dedicated to dear @periogirl28, who adores Volynka as much as I do, if not more ]

How interesting! Thank you for the update.

 

[nymeria]

Thank you so much for allowing all of us to see the evolution of that gorgeous leather as time goes on- and for your wonderful descriptions as well.
But what makes me happiest is knowing how much you use and love that bag every day. That’s H to a tee!

 

[periogirl28]

@allanrvj
Thanks for sharing! I look forward to watching our bags and accessories changing subtly with time, as we all enjoy our pieces. Lovely to have this small group generously share photos and experiences with their pieces, as well as those who share their interest in and knowledge of it, it reminds me of the original welcoming and friendly tone when this subforum had just begun.
For those to have yet to find (or sniff ) a piece, whether it's Volynka or Russian Leather, we will wait here patiently with you.

 

[periogirl28]

Am very fortunate to be able to have a couple of contacts at SAV in Paris, I know Volynka is very special even to them. Since the leather is very new, these bags are relatively rare and might not have many issues, I have not heard any updates regarding how they age and patina, however I will be sure to ask when I meet them again.

 

[allanrvj]

Oddly I personally am not sure the leather suits a Mini K 20. I love the leather and I love the style. I just don't think they go well together, but I might change my mind.

Narrator: almost two years later she did, in fact, change her mind

 

[periogirl28]

Narrator: almost two years later she did, in fact, change her mind

Yes. Yes I did! Happily.
I would like to add though that I think it would be lovely in a Plume 20, which is my fave size.

 

[Hat Trick]

I would like to add though that I think it would be lovely in a Plume 20, which is my fave size.

Oohhh, yes!

 

[Koucs]

A rare sight (for me) : my 2 volynka bags out at the same time ! Back from holidays, the Plume is going out of rotation after an extensive 3 weeks roadtrip for some rest, and the Sac à Dêpeches is entering rotation again for the office !

 

[periogirl28]

Thank you kindly for so generously sharing photos! Would you be able to update us on any changes since you added these to your collection?

 

[Koucs]

Thank you kindly for so generously sharing photos! Would you be able to update us on any changes since you added these to your collection?

Sure ! I think @allanrvj made a great job of documenting how Volynka darkens over time, My Plume has not done so to the same extent, but then I uses it as a travel bag only, meaning it get used and abused for a couple of weeks and then is back in its dustbag for a month or two, so it doesn't get a really "daily" usage. Same for the Sac a Depeches, it is my go to bag for the office if I'm not carrying my laptop, or for a work meeting when it's raining, and the color has darken a little bit since I had it...

I would add that to me Volynka lives in a similar way as Barenia : handles rain beautifully, absorbs sweat easily, so the handles tends to darken, and that it is prone to scratch in the corners, that leads to white scratch marks. SInce it is really a oily leather, I managed to tone done the scratches by using the Saphir "Everest" oil in VERY SMALL quantity, just to tone done the scratch (it will darken the leather, so no large surface application, but in very small quantity it tones down the scratches)

 

[QuelleFromage]

My Plume really does not have much change, but it's only a year and a few months old. (Sorry, the lighting is SO different in these pics! But the color has not changed. ) Has been carried a lot though- not daily use, travel use - and tossed around airports - I should say it belongs to DH at this point! If anything the shine has become slightly more matte. The first image also shows the "bloom" which has been brushed off since. The lovely smell has abated considerably, to the point where it needs a good sniff (as opposed to making the entire room smell like Ernest Hemingway was smoking a cigar whilst frying bacon ).

 

[allanrvj]

Sure ! I think @allanrvj made a great job of documenting how Volynka darkens over time, My Plume has not done so to the same extent, but then I uses it as a travel bag only, meaning it get used and abused for a couple of weeks and then is back in its dustbag for a month or two, so it doesn't get a really "daily" usage. Same for the Sac a Depeches, it is my go to bag for the office if I'm not carrying my laptop, or for a work meeting when it's raining, and the color has darken a little bit since I had it...

I would add that to me Volynka lives in a similar way as Barenia : handles rain beautifully, absorbs sweat easily, so the handles tends to darken, and that it is prone to scratch in the corners, that leads to white scratch marks. SInce it is really a oily leather, I managed to tone done the scratches by using the Saphir "Everest" oil in VERY SMALL quantity, just to tone done the scratch (it will darken the leather, so no large surface application, but in very small quantity it tones down the scratches)

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I should get this dubbin. thanks for the tip

 

[horselove]

Taken last year during Hermes In The Making exhibition in Singapore

 

[allanrvj]

I deleted the scratches from my Volynka Plume:




I used these:

Angelus Leather Dye in Russet color, and the finest-tipped paintbrush I could find from the arts and crafts store


The russet color is defined as a reddish brown color. I thought it was from the color of Russia leather but apparently it's from the color of a type of an apple. Even so, interestingly enough, it appears near the definition of Russia leather on the Imperial Dictionary: English, Technological, and Scientific by John Oglive, published 1861.



Anyway, I don't recommend you to do this as well. Always consider sending your bag to the spa first. It's just that I use my bag regularly that can't afford to have it gone for at least 6 months, plus I like fixing things on my own. Also, I know the repercussions of using products on an H bag, that it might get rejected to be serviced by H later on, etc. But as far as I can see, the color blends so well I had a fun time looking for the area that I retouched.

 

[periogirl28]

You brave!