Recommend me a card case that won't look like crap in a few years

[stylemeup]

Around a couple of years ago I bought one of these:

http://www.rathernice.co.uk/store/in...d&productId=10

When I first got it, it looked amazing.

But now a couple of years later, it looks like crap.

There are dark specks and lines all over it, in addition to scratches, and discolored splotches everywhere. It almost looks like mold is growing on it.

I need a new card case but I don't want to be bamboozled again into buying something that looks great for a little while and then starts looking like crap.

Is because what I have now is made of brass the reason why it started looking like crap?

What material should I go with next? Sterling silver? I would like a material that is immune the problems I've listed.

Please provide links to where I can buy a good card case that will look great regardless of how long I've owned it.

 

[Lear]

Late Victorian, hand engraved, silver calling card holder. Front

Back

 

[stylemeup]

Late Victorian, hand engraved, silver calling card holder.

That looks cool but where do I buy it from?

I think I'd also prefer something that is a bit bigger, vertically, so that it can hold things like my bank card, health card, a credit card etc.

Also, I'd like it to be able to open and close.

 

[Pezzaturra]

Starting from cheapest :Cole Haan, Coach, Gucci.

 

[Lear]

Originally Posted by stylemeup

That looks cool but where do I buy it from? I think I'd also prefer something that is a bit bigger, vertically, so that it can hold things like my bank card, health card, a credit card etc. Also, I'd like it to be able to open and close.
Alright, I see what you mean. You'd be surprised at the amount of cheap stuff there is in antique/junk shops. Usually very small, out of the way places. High quality antique silver, can be bought for less than modern junk. Just keep your eyes open.

 

[stylemeup]

Do you guys know of any links to reputable online retailers that can sell me something that has the same shape, size and functionality as the card case linked to in the OP, but that is made of good material (ie: not brass), and so therefore won't start looking like crap in a few years?

 

[in fits of print]

Originally Posted by stylemeup

Around a couple of years ago I bought one of these:

http://www.rathernice.co.uk/store/in...d&productId=10
There are dark specks and lines all over it, in addition to scratches, and discolored splotches everywhere. It almost looks like mold is growing on it.

That case is silver-plated--have you tried polishing it?

 

[stylemeup]

No, I haven't tried polishing it.

What kind of polish would go on it?

I'm not really too sure what 'silver-plated' means, technically.

 

[luftvier]

Originally Posted by stylemeup

No, I haven't tried polishing it.

What kind of polish would go on it?

I'm not really too sure what 'silver-plated' means, technically.

Silver plating

For less demanding applications in electronics, silver is often used as a cheaper replacement for gold. (Although silver is a better conductor than gold it does oxidize and so gold is better for contacts. However, variable capacitors are considered of the highest quality when they have silver plated plates. In this application there is no make and break contact so gold would not offer any advantage over silver).

Care should be used for parts exposed to high humidity environments. When the silver layer is porous or contains cracks, the underlying copper undergoes rapid galvanic corrosion, flaking off the plating and exposing the copper itself; a process known as red plague.

Historically, silver plate was used to provide a cheaper version of items that might otherwise be made of silver, including cutlery and candlesticks. The earliest kind was Old Sheffield Plate, but in the 19th century new methods of production (including electroplating) were introduced: see Sheffield Plate.

Another method that can be used to apply a thin layer of silver to several objects, such as glass, is the Tollen's Test method, which usually is prepared as follows. Using this method the final reaction can occur by placing Tollen's Reagent in a glass and then adding Glucose/Dextrose and shaking the bottle to perform the reaction.

AgNO3 + KOH -> AgOH + KNO3

AgOH + 2NH3 -> [Ag(NH3)2]1+ + [OH]1- (Note: See Tollen's Reagent)

[Ag(NH3)2]1+ + [OH]1- + Aldehyde(Usually Glucose/Dextrose) -> Ag + 2NH3 + H2O

 

[awcollin]

I'll plug (whether he wants it or not), because I got a great card case from him. Wait for member AngelCiboris to find some new Valextra card cases (or pm him and ask). He seems to have them all the time and for a great price at that.

 

[AnGeLiCbOrIs]

Get this cordovan one from BB while its still on sale.

 

[in fits of print]

Originally Posted by stylemeup

What kind of polish would go on it?

Silver polish. They sell it in hardware stores. Just be careful not to rub through to the brass.

 

[stylemeup]

Originally Posted by AnGeLiCbOrIs

Get this cordovan one from BB while its still on sale.

That looks cool but I am worried about my precious cards falling out of cases that don't have any enclosure function. It seems that a lot of them don't. What is the logic behind them not having that?

 

[jobro]

Originally Posted by stylemeup

That looks cool but I am worried about my precious cards falling out of cases that don't have any enclosure function. It seems that a lot of them don't. What is the logic behind them not having that?

That BB one folds over so that any card trying to ''escape'' would be stopped in doing so by the fold in then case.

I just ordered the Basic Card Holder from Tanner Goods in London tan.

EDIT: Ages like this http://www.styleforum.net/showpost.p...8&postcount=89