Reviews
Read DIY reviews and experiences shared by the Patina Project community. See real feedback on quality, fit, durability, and how these products perform over time.
34 reviews
This belt was my gateway into leatherworking!
DIY Belt in Horween Dark Olive ChromexcelBy Mr_Fahrenheit451 • April 5, 2026"I wore this belt in virtually every climate in the US - from Florida to the desert Southwest to California to Michigan...."Read the full review
Light Orange Menaces
DIY Light Duty Boondockers in Horween English Tan EssexBy nitrocelluloseballoon • April 5, 2026"I like these boots, but living in the midwest, they unfortunately ended up sidelined in favor of my engineer boots this winter. As a result, they didn’t get nearly as much wear as I would have liked, but as stated in the title, these are closer to barrack shoes than combat boots...."Read the full review
My keys looked better and bottle caps popped.
DIY Keychain/Bottle Opener in Wickett & Craig Grey Traditional HarnessBy spyder550 • April 5, 2026"Every day. In pockets, bags, used to hang from my car's steering column but then my transmission blew and a new car with all those damn tech features changed that. It opened many beverages too...."Read the full review
Orange Daily Beater
DIY Bifold Wallet in English Bridle TanBy nitrocelluloseballoon • April 5, 2026"This was my daily, and lived in my back pocket through everything: rain, snow, hot and cold. While I mostly live a white collar life, I don’t spend it cooped up inside, and took it with me on plenty of outings to god knows where...."Read the full review
First belt
DIY T B Special in Veg Tan Double ShoulderBy Chhh1984 • April 5, 2026"One tough belt. Very little change over 6 months...."Read the full review
Probably my most successful self made boots!
DIY Custom Model in Puccini Attilio Red MaremmaBy Tillman • April 5, 2026"Daily to work in a Cobbler shop. Biking, in the rain, in the snow when visiting Chicago (shout out boot camp), in the mosh pit at my uncles concert, to soccer games, and to every cool clothing store I visit...."Read the full review
My favorite belt so far and definitely the best leather you can get on the market
DIY Belt in J&FJ Baker Oak Bark Bridle Butt Cross Hatch Dark SteinBy germanshoeguy • April 4, 2026"I've worn the belt pretty much every day, to work, outdoors, with denim or chinos...."Read the full review
180 days of my grubby hands on a rectangle of leather.
DIY Deskpad in Horween Natural ChromexcelBy itsnotbriatall • April 4, 2026"It is stuck to my desk so it didn't see a lot of travel but I did work a whole ridiculous amount during the last six months. It definitely was between my hands and my desk...."Read the full review
A great journey with my selfmade boots which became my go to pair
DIY Service Boot "Kaya" in Guidi Natural HorsebuttBy germanshoeguy • April 4, 2026"I wore them basically in every condition over the past 6 months. Rain, snow, mud and everything in between including long days in the office..."Read the full review
Flexible and thin but strong and durable. It’s just getting started.
DIY Card Wallet in Horween Italian Brown Wrangler HorsefrontBy Barbaq • April 4, 2026"This wallet has followed me everywhere. NJ, NY, IL, TX, FL, NH, VT and everywhere in between. It has survived this harsh winter in NJ and has served me well...."Read the full review
Daily Thoughts, Schedule and Poems
DIY Daily Driver Journal in Seidel Natural Double Shot & Horween Orange PredatorBy bars_grover23 • April 4, 2026"Every day for the last six months this "daily driver" journal/notebook has seen the inside of my back right pocket, and it has greatly assisted in the organization of my calendar, writing brief notes to friends, and jotting down thoughts from sermons or lectures. In the process of filling out two calendar books, one lined book and seven plain page books (small refills of about 50 pages each, on average) it has traveled with me to weddings in the south, classes in the mid-atlantic, and family in the northeast, all the while developing a more comfortable shape and beautiful lowlights from the dye of my pants.
My favorite note is from December 18th, 2025: Copywork of Robert Frost's poetry -
The way a crow
Shook down on me
The dust of snow
From a hemlock tree
Has given my heart
A change of mood
And saved some part
Of a day I had rued...."Read the full review
First dome, best ever.
DIY Mens Assesory Set in Wickett & Craig American VachettaBy BeatFeet • April 3, 2026"All pieces were every day carry besides which was 4-5 days a week...."Read the full review
Tanned with Olives
DIY Phone Case in Olivander Jesse Natural VegtanBy amaru_and_crow • April 2, 2026"My phones is with me all day and all night. Mostly in my pocket or my hand. The cell phone case is a cheat code becuase it comes into contact with almost anything I do. From burger sauce to frshly washed hands this phone has been in the sand at the beach and may have fallen in the sink. This lesther was soared nothing...."Read the full review
I don't wanna toot my own horn but ...
DIY Wallet in Maryam Macchiato TPR HorsebuttBy evsnova74 • April 2, 2026"I put cards and cash in it and put it in my pocket. Lol I kid, nothing out of the ordinary here, and not really much to say...."Read the full review
