Leather Review: Dollaro — Gorgeous, but worth the fight?
Today we’re talking about Dollaro, an Italian veg-tanned leather from the Conceria Walpier tannery.
Dollaro is a full grain, premium leather with a signature pebbled texture that screams high-end. You’ve probably seen stuff like this in fancy handbags at designer stores. That’s the vibe.
Three color ways of 3oz Dollaro
What I Like
The look.
First and foremost — this leather is gorgeous. That textured, pebbled finish gives it a luxury vibe without being delicate or dainty. It’s got grit and glam in the same breath. And the color range? Dark, rich tones that don’t mess around. Deep reds, moody blues. None of that pastel fluff. Just bold, clean, high-end colors.
The feel.
It’s got presence. Feels solid in your hand. You know you’re working with quality when you touch it. It’s not soft and buttery — it’s got structure. More of a rugged elegance than a smooth ride. If that makes sense.
What I Don’t Like
It’s stiff. Like, really stiff.
I made a clutch out of this stuff, and by the time I stacked six layers of three-ounce leather, I practically needed a jackhammer to punch through it with my stitching iron. Getting the iron out was even harder. I’m no stranger to tough leathers, but this one’s a workout.
Even basic card holders? You’ll be wrestling your cards in and out until they loosen up. Might break a sweat just getting your ID.
Edge beveling is a battle.
Because of the texture on top, beveling the edges doesn’t glide like it does on smooth leather. You can get there, but it ain’t graceful.
Skiving? Forget about it.
This leather is very tough to skive. Maybe it’s the density, maybe it’s just angry by nature, but I had to stop mid-project to sharpen my knife multiple times. And I’m not using junk tools either.
The price.
No shocker here — it’s Italian, it’s full grain, it’s veg tan — you’re paying premium. And honestly, that’s fine, as long as you price your finished pieces accordingly. If you’re making something to sell, do the math. Don’t eat your margins just because the leather looked pretty on your workbench.
This clutch was extremely difficult to stitch.
Final Verdict
If you’re after that high-end, designer look — Dollaro delivers. But it’s not an easy ride. It’s stiff, it’s stubborn, and it’ll fight you the whole way. That said, if you’re the type who likes the challenge, or if the finish is more important to you than the process, it might be worth it.
Me? I give it a 6 out of 10. Beautiful leather. Pain in the ass.
Stay tuned — I’ve got a Vachetta review coming soon. Looks just as sharp, way easier to work with. Might be more your speed if you’re not trying to wrestle your materials into submission.
Thanks for reading.
