Saltwater Journal is reader supported.
When you buy through our links we may earn an affiliate commission (at no extra cost to you)
Think types of leather and what springs to mind? Cowhide? Deerskin? Crocodile? How about fish leather? It's a thing. And where Ofishal is concerned, it's very cool.
I first saw New Zealand brand Ofishal at the NZ Boat Show, where they had a 'guess the fish leather' test. Turns out it's really hard to pick the difference between tanned fish skin samples like tarakihi, tuna and salmon! (OK, I can hear the hardcore fisherpeople going, 'Actually, I'd know.') Either way, fish leather looks very cool.
Initially, it looks a bit like snakeskin, but snake scales overlap in a more uniform pattern, whereas fish leather has a more irregular texture, with scale pockets creating a distinctive, almost three-dimensional finish.
Fish leather is also really strong (which, having been taught to fillet by my friend's dad, should not surprise me — separating fish skin from an I-can't-wait-to-eat-this snapper fillet when you're only 12 is tricky).
Finding a product like this ticks all our initial testing boxes:
Is it sustainably made? ✓
Is it well designed? ✓
Does it last the distance? ✓
Does it look good? ✓
Would your partner be stoked with it as a gift? ✓✓✓
Ofishal sent me a slim bifold wallet to take for a spin — which I gifted to my husband for the full testing, and judging by how quickly he's whipping it out to pay, I'd say he likes it. If you're wondering what to buy a wallet-using person in your life, read on to see what we think of this one. I think you’ll like it.
-
A Slim Wallet With Cool Aesthetics
The Fish Leather Story
A Few Fish Leather Questions
A Slim Wallet With Cool Aesthetics
Made from Pacific King Salmon leather (the one grizzly bears like to play catch and snack with, and introduced to New Zealand waters in the late 19th Century), the Ofishal bifold wallet has a natural cycloid scale pattern (overlapping) that gives it a texture unlike any traditional leather wallet I've found.
Jeff was stoked when he first saw the wallet in the box — and he didn't pick that it was fish leather at first. Which made his grin and 'oh wow' when he found out so worth it.
It definitely passed the vibe check! He loves the texture and (while he's a man of few words) did say he was stoked that it’s low fuss and not bulky in his pocket. I checked him out and it sits pretty low-profile. He's already had a few compliments on it from his mates.
He’s previously owned brown leather wallets, and Ofishal does offer a brown version. But I liked the colour connection of Ocean Blue to the home of the fish and he thought that was a good choice.
From an aesthetic perspective, we agree the debossed logo on the front looks sharp (typography is on-point) and the subtle cut-out of the logo on the right-hand side of the interior is a nice touch.
We both like the slight wabi-sabi look that comes from a unique piece (no two hides are exactly the same) that only gets better and softer with age.
The Fish Leather Story
Ofishal founder Dallas Abel knows his fish. As a marine scientist and former fisheries observer he saw firsthand how much of the fish caught commercially goes to waste.
He previously led The Kai Ika Project, which redistributes unwanted fish heads and frames to New Zealand communities. Ofishal takes that same resourceful thinking into design, turning discarded fish skins into leather accessories.
Their philosophy is 'utilisation is conservation' — making better use of what we already take from the ocean.
I support that. Particularly when the end result is something you'd actually want to own.
A Few Fish Leather Questions
Does It Smell Fishy?
This was obviously the first thing I needed to investigate. I'm one of those people who has to smell everything, so naturally, I gave it a quick sniff test before gifting it.
The verdict? Not a whiff of fish. It just smells like lovely leather.
The tanning process removes the fishy odour, leaving behind a natural leather scent.
How Does Fish Leather Wear Over Time?
Very well! According to Ofishal, fish leather is exceptionally strong for its thickness, thanks to its unique fibre structure. Like traditional leather, it should soften and develop more character with use. I did notice along the edge the scales are slightly sharper but these are already softening nicely.
Is Fish Leather Waterproof?
Not quite. It's water-resistant, so the odd splash won’t be a problem, but it's not designed to be submerged.
How Do You Look After Fish Leather?
Thankfully, it doesn't require much fuss. Ofishal recommends wiping the leather with a soft cloth when needed and avoiding prolonged exposure to water or harsh chemicals.
Does Ofishal Make Anything Else From Fish Leather?
They sure do! Wallets are just part of the collection. Ofishal also makes awesome fish knife sheaths as well as other accessories, so if you're taken by the texture and sustainability story, it's worth having a nosey at their full range.
Does Ofishal Ship Overseas?
Yes! Although Ofishal is based in New Zealand (with free shipping for Kiwis), they ship internationally. Shipping costs are calculated at checkout.
Do the Wallets Come in Any Other Colours?
Yes! They also do the fish leather in Jet Black and Matai Brown :
Jet Black
Matai Brown
Where Can You Buy One?
In Summary
It's not often that a wallet sparks a conversation, but this one has already attracted attention.
Jeff likes it because it looks good, holds the few cards he uses and sits comfortably in his pocket. I love the design, colour, beautiful texture and the fact that something normally discarded has been given a completely different purpose.
At NZ$159, it’s a great gift for someone who’ll appreciate the materials and design.
We'll keep an eye on how it wears over time, but so far, this little piece of the ocean is getting a big thumbs-up.
Did you enjoy this article? Share it online and read more on the Journal…
