RUKI-KRYKI Archives - Carryology - Exploring better ways to carry

Our Favorite Makers (Rest of the World)

Carry HQ — Fri, 10 Feb 2017 00:15:00 +0000

Making something can be easy. But making it well is where the challenge comes in. Honing techniques and skills, learning from past mistakes, building on and improving designs, and accepting nothing less than world-class quality is hard work. Luckily for the world of carry, the makers below (excluding the U.S.A.) aren’t afraid of hard work. In fact, it pushes them to excel, which is why they’re our favorite makers from around the world…

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Roberu

This Japanese brand has made a name for itself through its meticulously handcrafted leather goods. Roberu offers a variety of pieces that elegantly merge style and function including wallets, camera straps and holders, phone cases and bags.

Thisispaper

Thisispaper is a multidisciplinary design studio based in Warsaw, Poland. Their intriguing carry pieces give a nod to fashion-friendly aesthetics while delivering practical designs. Balancing versatility with clean and minimalist silhouettes, they can adapt to both work and play environments..

HERZ

HERZ have been handcrafting beautiful carry in Japan since 1973. The respected brand is dedicated to making designs that are durable and practical, while also bringing a sense of pleasure in everyday use. Take a more detailed peek into the creative process in our HERZ shop visit.

RUKI-KRYKI

RUKI-KRYKI is a Russian carry brand founded by architect and designer Vladimir Kovalev. Based in Barnaul, Vladimir makes a variety of leather goods by hand using Russian raw materials. His understated designs are both beautiful and durable, and the kind of pieces that you can’t help but appreciate for their attention to detail and ability to slip easily into daily use.

Tailfeather

The Australian carry brand Tailfeather was founded by husband and wife team Scottie and Natalia. Working out of a studio on the Bellarine Peninsula, they craft elegant and minimalist pieces by hand with materials such as Australian-made canvas and kangaroo leather. Practical and hard-wearing, Tailfeather pieces are both aesthetically pleasing and able to take years of demanding use in stride.

Isaac Reina

Isaac Reina gained design experience working with fashion industry heavyweights such as Hermès before founding his own brand in 2006. Crafted in France, the brand’s pieces exude a refined balance of chic simplicity and timeless design.

abrAsus

Compact pocket carry can often sacrifice functionality for space-saving form. However, that’s not the case with abrAsus. Their thoughtful wallets and card cases manage to deliver organization and access without the bulk. Crafted in Japan, their pieces are not only practical but stylish enough to suit a range of settings too.

Porter

One of our favorite Japanese carry brands, Porter have built up a solid reputation through exceptional craftsmanship, functional designs, and urban-friendly styling. The brand was created by Yoshida & Co. in 1962, and has a diverse product offering that ranges from business carry to EDC.

Trakke

Firm believers that adventure can be found anywhere, Trakke make bags to help you go out and seek it, whether it’s on bustling city streets or remote mountain peaks. Based in Glasgow, the Scottish brand make a point of sourcing British-made materials for crafting their durable, sleek and versatile designs.

Treesizeverse

Ronald Ceuppens, the founder of Treesizeverse, crafts his unique and eye-catching pieces by hand in his home studio in Belgium. His creations feature a mix of materials including vintage and recycled fabrics, waxed canvas and leather. To learn more check out our Treesizeverse interview here.

Böle Tannery

When a carry brand’s customers include royalty, you know they’re making top-notch pieces. That’s certainly the case with Böle Tannery who are purveyors to the Swedish royal court. The tannery is a fourth generation family business with an extensive history dating back to 1899, and is the world’s last remaining spruce bark tannery. Delve deeper into the tannery’s creative design and crafting process here.

Stitch Leather Goods

Attractively minimalist and clean, the pieces from Stitch Leather Goods are carefully made by hand from a studio based in Klaipėda, Lithuania. Understated offerings range from card holders and travel wallets, to e-reader cases and phone sleeves.

Bleu de Chauffe

Bleu de Chauffe is a French brand that takes design inspiration from the industrial era of the 20th century, merging fashion and function into each bag. The brand’s workshop is based in Aveyron, and each piece is signed and dated by the artisan who made it. In addition to simple and stylish practicality, Bleu de Chauffe also places importance on the proximity and traceability of product components in an effort to reduce their carbon footprint.

Bedouin Foundry

Bedouin Foundry are strong proponents of buying quality and buying it once, and they craft their pieces to reflect that. Made by hand in England, their bags are tough enough to go the distance, while delivering effortless casual-chic to your EDC. In addition to English craftsmanship, the bags also feature labels and custom hand-printed linings made in England.

bagjack

bagjack can trace its roots back to a bike messenger bag crafted in 1993, though today the Berlin-based brand offers a variety of handmade bags. Offerings range from their Classics line to the premium NXL lines, with practicality and durability front and center.

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Ladies’ Carry Gift Guide

Carry HQ — Thu, 15 Dec 2016 19:52:21 +0000

Looking for a gift for that special lady in your life? A great bag is sure to be a hit. But which one do you choose? We know it can be a tricky and time-consuming decision. Style, practicality, durability and versatility are all key considerations, but we’ve got you covered with our ladies’ carry gift guide…

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Everlane Premium Leather-Base Tote

Crafted with water-resistant cotton twill and vegetable-tanned leather, this stylish tote is versatile enough for work and play. Even better, you get the benefit of Everlane’s transparent pricing and value for money.

Thisispaper Handle Backpack

The Handle Backpack combines linen and vegetable-tanned leather for an attractive natural look, that might suit a lady into earthier type things. An interior laptop sleeve and pockets keep gear tidy, and a quick-access exterior pocket provides fast access to frequently used items.

Stash Artisan Tote

Eye-catching and hard-wearing, the Artisan Tote will draw admiring glances with its durable leather construction and Stash’s signature organic pocket. The tote features an interior and exterior pocket, antique brass hardware, and straps that are long enough to sling the bag over your shoulder if desired.

Thisispaper Classic Backpack

With its clean looks and flexible design the Classic Backpack suits a range of settings, from the office to carrying the essentials around town or while exploring on your travels. The Warsaw-made pack offers a front zip pocket and two interior pockets for organization, and is made with linen and vegetable-tanned leather.

Bleu de Chauffe Joan Bag

Merging French chic and meticulous craftsmanship, the Joan Bag is handmade in France with full-grain vegetable-tanned leather. An elegant option for EDC or travel essentials or a night out on the town, the Joan Bag features a choice of interior compartments to keep the contents tidy and easily accessible.

Tanner Goods Vanguard Saddle Bag

Another piece that’s great for day or night, the Vanguard Saddle Bag is handcrafted in the USA with vegetable-tanned English Bridle leather. A stylish silhouette and easy access makes this a handy go-to bag for carrying the essentials in a variety of settings.

Ally Capellino Freddie Weekend Bag

Crafted from British waxed cotton, the Freddie holdall brings functional design and casual-chic to your travels. Suitable for use as carry-on, the bag provides a mix of pockets for storing smaller items, and can be carried with the grab handles or a removable shoulder strap. And as an added benefit, it packs down small for convenient storage.

Building Block Cylinder Sling

The Cylinder Sling exudes minimalist charm with its pared-back form. Crafted with leather, the bag has a zip closure and is a striking way to add a touch of luxe to your daily carry or special occasion.

Bartaile C12

The C12 bag offers a thoughtful blend of function and fashion, delivering a slim and attractive silhouette together with a variety of pockets for storing work supplies or EDC items. As an added bonus, the bag also has three carry modes – backpack, tote, and messenger – so you can adapt it to suit your needs.

Porter Kura Chika Original Tote Bag

Sleek looks, practical design and world-class construction come together in a bag that’s equally at home in a work environment or relaxing in your local cafe. The enticing combination of woolen fabric and leather looks classy in any setting, and a choice of pockets prevents a jumbled mess of gear when you’re on the go.

Ally Capellino Elizabeth Crossbody Bag

Slim and compact, the Elizabeth crossbody bag looks equally good in casual and more formal settings. Made from vegetable-tanned leather, the bag includes an interior pocket and a fast and convenient magnetic closure.

RUKI-KRYKI Clutch

A refined piece that offers a great combination of durability, organization and understated style. The leather clutch is made by hand in Russia and provides multiple compartments for storing cards, cash, a passport and mobile phone.

Trakke Fingal

Made by hand in Glasgow, this waxed canvas daypack is built tough enough to handle a range of urban and outdoor carry needs. The main compartment fits a 13″ laptop, and the 13L volume will handle trail essentials and snacks with ease when it’s time for a day exploring outdoors.

QWSTION Simple Bag

Simple in name, simple in nature, this bag provides hassle-free carry that suits a range of uses. The 18L bag works equally well for a day relaxing in the park, sightseeing on your travels, or day-to-day carry needs. An exterior zipped pocket takes care of quick-access items, and a choice of backpack straps and a grab handle helps you adapt to changing environments.

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5 Minutes with RUKI-KRYKI

Mike — Mon, 08 Sep 2014 03:15:51 +0000

RUKI-KRYKI is the name of a Russian carry brand which when translated literally means HANDS-HOOKS. The founder, Vladimir Kovalev, explains that inspiration for the brand’s name stems from the Russian saying RUKI-KRYKI which means a person does not know how to do something by hand, or does it very badly. However, his brand strives to be the opposite of this, creating quality goods crafted by hand with attention to detail. In order to discover more, we grabbed five minutes with Vladimir to discuss insights, inspirations and the Russian carry industry…

What key insights drive your stuff?

I have always believed that only the hands of makers can put the soul into the product. In the production I use a minimum of tools: awl, thread, needles, pliers, a metal ruler and a knife. Everything else is doing things with my hands. No sewing machines, no cutting press. So every product I produce by hand. Yes, it takes a much longer time, but the result is justified. When you do everything by hand you cannot repeat the previous wallet. Sometimes I specifically add small changes in the next wallet. This makes the product unique. And buyers like it.

When I first started producing wallets, I immediately decided that I would use only Russian materials. But it is not easy. Now however the only Russian materials I use are Russian leather, cotton and paper for packaging. No hardware and no thread – these are from Italy and Greece. This is very sad.

Tell us about the Russian carry industry…

Over the past 5-6 years Hand Made in Russia has become very popular. Small workshops are opening, workshops are being organized for children and adults. It’s all very cool! People express themselves through arts. The problem is that all the materials have to be ordered from abroad. In our country, almost nothing is produced to facilitate handmade goods.

Of course there are some workshops for which it is just business. Copying famous brands, without adding anything of their own or anything new. I do not understand this kind of work. It’s pointless.

Recently in our country it has become popular to produce traditional Russian products with national and historical significance, such as hand embroidery, wood carving and traditional Russian clothes. I was very inspired by these products! This is our heritage, our history.

Who else is doing rad things in the world of carry and why do you think they’re important?

My favorite maker is Barrett Alley. Each of his wallets is unique because he uses antique fabric. Every product is full of history. This is amazing! In times of mass consumer goods such products are like a breath of fresh air.

Are there any things other brands do that you think are great or could be improved?

MAKR, Tanner Goods, Friday & River, 1924.us, Red Wing, ColsenKeane, Wood&Faulk, Stitch & Hammer, Tailfeather, Corter Leather, Killspencer, Draught Dry Goods and of course LAYERXLAYER. These makers do the best work ever!

My first encounter with these workshops began with Jason Gregory of MAKR. The aesthetics of the products and the workshop really inspired me.

What’s next for you?

I love the city where I was born, grew up and am working at the moment. I have a photo project called Wooden Barnaul which is dedicated to the old wooden architecture of my city. Just the other day I printed calendars with photographs of old wooden houses. Now I’m developing notebooks. As for the leather, a lot of ideas and plans! All the latest news is in my Instagram.

What do you carry daily?

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Studio shots: Elena Getmanskaya

Product shots: Vladimir Kovalev

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