Behind the Workbench

 

 

Intentional Craft from Pune, India. Welcome to the workshop. I'm Pranav, the maker behind Thepps. Every wallet, cardholder, and notebook cover you see here is designed, prototyped, and hand-stitched by me. Thepps was born out of a simple philosophy: everyday carry essentials should be functionally minimalist, incredibly durable, and crafted with absolute authenticity. There are no assembly lines here—just a commitment to traditional leathercraft adapted for modern, real-world utility.

Materials That Tell a Story Great design is nothing without the right foundation. That is why every Thepps product is crafted exclusively from premium, full-grain vegetable-tanned leather. Unlike synthetic, polymer-based "vegan" leathers that degrade and peel over time, high-quality veg-tan leather is processed naturally without harsh chemicals. It is exceptionally durable and has a unique characteristic: it develops a rich, personalized patina as it absorbs the natural oils from your hands and the elements of your daily life. Your gear shouldn't just carry your things; it should document your journey.

The Iterative Process: From Dotted Grids to Final Stitch Crafting a seamless minimalist design takes continuous refinement. Every new concept—from the stitchless Bucks Bunny wallet to custom Field Notes covers—starts as a rough sketch in a 3.5 by 5.5-inch dotted pocket notebook.

I believe in highly practical, iterative design. Before a knife ever cuts into a final hide of leather, a design goes through rigorous physical testing. I prototype repeatedly—often leveraging 3D printing to refine exact tolerances and tooling—until the ergonomics are perfect. Whether that means adjusting a wallet's footprint to smoothly accommodate wider international banknotes or integrating a loop specifically sized for a compact 101mm twist-open mini pen, every millimeter serves a distinct purpose.

Once the design is locked in, the final construction relies on manual hand-stitching. While machine sewing is faster, it relies on a lock-stitch that can quickly unravel if a single thread breaks. Hand-sewing utilizes a traditional saddle stitch; if one loop eventually wears through years down the line, the rest of the seam holds strong.

Built for Your Everyday Whether you are pulling out the Barito wallet for a quick errand or opening your notebook to jot down a fleeting idea, these pieces are built to get out of your way and do their job flawlessly. Thank you for supporting independent craftsmanship and intentional design.