Decadent Minimalist DM1 wallet review

The trend for minimalist wallets continues with no end in sight. All you have to do is search Kickstarter for the keyword “wallet” and you’ll see what I mean. Speaking of Kickstarter and minimalist wallets, I have a new one to show you today. It’s the Decadent Minimalist DM1 wallet. If that name sounds familiar to you, it’s because the Decadent Minimalist DM1 wallet was a successfully funded project from 2014. Now Erik Moon is back with Nickel, Titanium and Carbon Fiber versions of the DM1. You’re going to want one or two or three.

Note: Note: Images can be clicked to view a larger size.

Like the original DM1, these new versions are made from solid blocks and plates of either Nickel, Titanium or Carbon Fiber. They are then shaped using a CNC (computer numerical control) milling machine into 4, 8 and 12 card sized wallets like the one that you see above. I was sent an 8 card Titanium version of the DM1.

Erik’s design is so unique that it does not require rubber bands, Velcro, magnets or any other type of fastener to hold the cards in the wallet.

The DM1 has a channel that holds the cards and special rounded edges on the ends that lock the cards in place with a satisfying click sound. The DM1 will even hold one card if that’s all you have. But it’s best to fill it so that cards don’t jiggle around.

All the edges are smooth so that they won’t snag on clothing or fingers. The cards slide in and out with ease just by applying pressure to the top card with your thumb.

It looks like the cards should fall out of the wallet, but they don’t. The inside rails are thinner than the rounded ends that hang over the corners of the cards. There’s just enough of the ends to hold the cards in place.

Here are a couple more close ups.

For a better idea how you use the DM1 wallet, check out one of Erik’s videos:

It really is that easy to use.

You might wonder what to do with your cash. Erik thought of that and created a money clip that slides into the DM1.

The money clip does increase the bulk of the DM1 wallet though. I didn’t like using it because the one that was sent to me has a rectangular cutout that doubles as a bottle opener. This cut out makes it difficult to slide folded cash under the clip because the edge of the bills get caught on the cutout. Erik tells me that he’s considering a different shape for the cutout in the money clip.

The cool thing about the Decadent Minimalist DM1 wallet is that you can have two card faces displayed. One on top and one on the bottom. The DM1 is also so light weight that I forgot that I had it in my back jeans pocket one day when I started looking in my bag for the wallet. I almost panicked when I couldn’t find it only to realize that it was in my pocket the whole time.

The only things that would make the DM1 even better for me would be a way to hold a few of those little plastic loyalty cards and a way to hold some cash without using the money clip. But as it is, the Decadent Minimalist DM1 wallet is a very well designed and well made minimalist wallet that will hold your cards in style and ease. People will want to know what it is when they see you use it and hear the cards click in.

So let’s talk pricing. The Nickle version is $55, the Titanium version is $90 and the Carbon Fiber version of the DM1 is priced at $199. Engraving and the money clip are options for an additional charge. Estimated shipping is for September and the good news is that this Kickstarter project has already greatly surpassed the funding goal.

Source: The sample for this review was provided by Decadent Minimalist. Please visit their site for more info and Kickstarter to pre-order.