The story of graduating from my AbrAsus wallet after 5 years | The "that issue" with banknotes was the deciding factor
"When you think of minimalist wallets, you think of AbrAsus."
This is treated as almost a settled theory in the minimalist community, and it's a wallet I love as well.
In fact, I used the AbrAsus "Small Wallet" for over 5 years. I have introduced it as a favorite item many times in past note articles, and I have never once regretted buying it.
Even so, the other day, I graduated from my AbrAsus wallet.
"You loved it for 5 years, so why?" I think many people will think that.
The reason is simple. The "banknotes get curled" issue became something I just couldn't ignore anymore.
In this article, I will introduce the honest reasons why I graduated from the AbrAsus wallet I loved for 5 years, and the new wallet I chose. I think this will be helpful for "people who are wondering whether to buy an AbrAsus" and "people who are already using one and are considering replacing it."
■ Table of Contents
■ What was good about the AbrAsus "Small Wallet"
First of all, I don't want there to be any misunderstanding, AbrAsus is a truly great wallet.
During the 5 years I used it, I thought many times, "I'm glad I chose this."
1. Overwhelming compactness
It is almost the size of a credit card. It doesn't bulge even when put in a pocket. It doesn't take up space in a commuter bag either. The "lightness that makes you forget you're carrying it" was the best experience as a minimalist.
2. Beautiful aging
I chose the camel Buttero leather, so it deepened into an amber color the more I used it. The feeling of it growing into a one-of-a-kind item for me is a pleasure unique to leather products.
3. Functional beauty of the Good Design Award
A unique structure that compactly holds cards, coins, and banknotes. It was a design that made it easy to understand why it won the Good Design Award.
That is precisely why it took me 5 years to decide to graduate from it. It is because it had all these merits.
■ The reason I graduated anyway: The problem of banknotes curling
Due to the structure of the AbrAsus small wallet, banknotes are stored folded in half by design.
It's not a problem when it's new. But as you keep using it, the banknotes get fixed in a "curled shape".
As a result, phenomena like these occur.
When taking out a banknote, you need to straighten it out by hand before handing it to someone.
When paying at a register, the unique shape is a bit embarrassing.
When inserting banknotes into an ATM, they sometimes get rejected by the machine.
The banknotes look wrinkled, which lowers the sense of cleanliness.
At first, it didn't bother me. But after using it for 5 years, my desire to "handle banknotes in a clean state" became stronger.
Working in sales, I sometimes have to pay at business meetings or entertainment venues. At such times, handing over curled banknotes feels somewhat reluctant.
"Minimalist = small" isn't the only correct answer. After 5 years of use, the time has come to rethink the wallet that truly fits my life.
■ Selection criteria for a new wallet
Once I decided to graduate from AbrAsus, I organized the requirements for my new wallet.
① Banknotes can be stored straight
This is my top priority. Since it is the main reason for graduating from AbrAsus, this is something I absolutely cannot compromise on.
② A design suited for the cashless era
My daily payments are almost entirely cashless. Between smartphone QR code payments and credit cards, 80-90% of my shopping is covered.
In other words, there is no need to carry a large amount of cash. A 'thick long wallet' that can store a large amount of banknotes, coins, and cards no longer fits my lifestyle.
What I need is a capacity that holds 2-3 cards, a few banknotes, and a little bit of change. With just this much, I won't have any trouble even in situations where cashless payment isn't available.
The image of 'long wallet equals cash-focused' is already outdated. A long wallet in the cashless era should be thin, light, and have the bare minimum storage. This is the way I arrived at for choosing a long wallet.
③ Genuine leather, built to last
Since it's something I use every day, I want something made of genuine leather that I can enjoy aging over time. Synthetic leather wallets fall apart in 1 to 2 years, so they are not cost-effective in the long run.
④ Black
As a minimalist, my favorite items are basically all unified in black. The wallet is no exception.
⑤ With a zipper
It keeps the contents hidden, secure, and safe. With a zipper, there is no worry about it opening inside my bag.
While searching for a wallet that met these criteria, I came across the **STATUSY 'il modo ZIP concept'**.
■ I chose the 'STATUSY il modo ZIP concept'
I chose the STATUSY 'il modo ZIP concept'. It is an L-shaped zipper genuine leather long wallet in black (embossed). For right-handed use.
Reason for choosing #1: Easy to use with an L-shaped zipper
The biggest appeal of an L-shaped zipper is that you can "open it quickly with one hand and see everything inside."
I considered a long wallet with a round zipper (U-shaped), but it requires both hands to open, which is a bit of a hassle. With an L-shaped zipper, you can open and close it with one hand, and the contents are clear at a glance.
Reason for choosing #2: Banknotes go in straight
Since it's a long wallet, you can put banknotes in as they are without folding them. The 'banknotes curling up problem' of the AbrAsus has been fundamentally solved.
When paying at the register, I can hand over the banknotes in a clean state. It's such a small thing, but daily payments have become a little more pleasant.
Reason for choosing #3: Embossed finish makes scratches less noticeable
An embossed leather finish is one where a pattern is pressed onto the surface of the leather. It is characterized by being less prone to showing scratches and dirt than smooth leather.
Because it's a wallet I carry in my bag every day, a design that doesn't show scratches easily is something I'm grateful for.
Reason for choosing #4: Black doesn't stand out too much
A minimalist's favorite items are basically black. They feature designs where the logo is inconspicuous, making them suitable for both business and private settings.
They aren't flashy. But they have a 'classic feel' that lasts. I believe this is the correct answer for a minimalist's wallet choice.
■ The reason why this minimalist chose a 'long wallet'
Some of you might have thought, 'A long wallet, even though you're a minimalist?'
Minimalist = small, compact. This image is common, but I believe that 'the size that is optimal for your own life' is what being a minimalist is all about.
In my case, I had a lifestyle where I wanted to handle banknotes neatly. That's why a long wallet suited me better.
Instead of prioritizing 'looking like a minimalist,' I prioritize 'whether it fits my life.'
It's a size that fits easily into my commute bag, so carrying it around isn't a problem. Although the size has increased, my 'quality of life' has definitely improved.
This is the 70% minimalist's way of choosing. Instead of aiming for perfect smallness, I go all out to achieve 70% satisfaction.
■ Conclusion: It's okay to "graduate" from good things
As a minimalist, I have always valued "using things I like for a long time."
However, lifestyle and values can change over the course of five years. I think it's important not to convince yourself that "you must never change the things you chose first" when that happens.
The AbrAsus small wallet was a truly great wallet. I used it every day for five years, and it is packed with many memories.
But my lifestyle changed, and I found something that suits me better. "Graduating" is not about denying your initial choice. It's about choosing again to fit the new you.
From now on, a new chapter begins with my STATUSY long wallet. Five years from now, the day might come when I "graduate" again. Even so, I will use the wallet that is optimal for my current self every single day.
That is how a minimalist interacts with their wallet.
If there is anyone out there right now who is "wondering whether to buy an AbrAsus" or "already using one and feeling the bill problem," I hope you choose a wallet that fits your own lifestyle. I think.
Rather than "looking like a minimalist," it's about "is it optimal for me?" This is my conclusion on choosing a wallet.
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📖 I have also published a Kindle book. Based on my note articles, I have compiled my life as a 70% minimalist into one volume.
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