February 29 - everyday carry artisans

We are sorry to say that although we provide a 3 days design exchange policy, we are unable to do exchanges for goods that are affected by wear and tear.

Wear and tear may refer to scratches, cuts, ink stains, pen marks, abrasion marks, odor, damp / wet material & etc. The management reserves all rights to determine what is wear & tear.

We strongly encourage our customers to check the item along with our staff so that they can dish out valuable tips on bag maintenance and to avoid unhappiness.

We sincerely appreciate the support our customers have been giving us and our return policy is our form of good will for them.

Aniline is a transparent dye that is drum dyed with leather and because the finish is transparent and shows the natural markings of the leather, only the best quality hides can be used.

Semi-Aniline leather is pure aniline leather that has a small amount of pigment or clear finish thus allowing the natural characteristics of the hide to still show through while offering some of the benefits of color consistency and increased wear ability.

So how do we identify them?

Here are some tests we can use :

1.  Water Test

Drip a small amount of water on to the semi-aniline leather. It will sit on the surface so dab it with a piece of cloth to absorb the liquid. You will notice that the leather will absorb a very small amount of water, this shows by a slightly darker patch. It can take around 3 minutes for a semi-aniline to absorb a drop of water.

2.  The Magnifying Glass Test

Looking at a semi-aniline leather through a magnifying glass will look quite similar to an aniline. The hair follicle holes are slightly visible like craters or human pores but you will notice a thin pigmented coating covering them. Some semi-anilines have thicker coatings than others and so the holes may not always be identifiable.

3.  The Visual Test

The color of a semi-aniline will look quite uniform, not as varied as aniline and not as uniform as pigmented. The grain pattern will be natural looking as only a thin pigmented coating is applied. You may be able too see natural markings, but you will have to look closely to spot them. A semi-aniline is often two toned but this two tone effect can sometimes be very slight and so hard to spot.

If you do not maintain the leather using the leather conditioner, the top coat of color can wear off in high use areas. To make the leather last longer, apply the protection cream once every three months to reduce friction and so, stop the color wearing away as quickly.

4. The Touch Test

Semi-aniline feels quite natural and soft to the touch. The finish is often smooth and you can feel the lacquered surface, which makes the leather semi slippery compared to a pure aniline piece.

Looking for a design that looks, feels and smells like genuine leather but at a half or quarter of its price?
Look no further, a half leather design is what you are looking for. =)

Half leather designs are usually complimented by other materials such as faux leather, canvas for those that find everything covered in leather a tad too boring and plain.

Is half leather really 50% leather and 50% not?

That is a very good question and one that even we have no idea why industrialists use this term when half leather products are varying in leather content.

One thing is for sure, the percentage of leather should be equal or more than the complimenting material to be considered so.

What other products come in half leather designs?

Nowadays, designers are coming out very many trendy and wacky designs that come in half leather.

Car seats & sofa sets – Manufacturers are designing cushion seats to be leather and the rest to be of faux leather to produce low cost alternatives for the budget constrained.

Shoes – Designers have always been matching leather with exotic materials such as silk to achieve the visual symphony.

Pros

1. Lower cost than genuine leather
2. High resemblance to genuine leather
3. Mixture of materials to compliment designs
4. Less maintenance required

Cons

1. Should not be treated like genuine leather in terms of ageing and durability.

Bycast Leather

Gaining popularity in recent years, Bycast Leather is desired for its unique shine and easy care. It is a combination of natural leather hides processed and bonded to a man-made surface covering and then coated with a thick layer of polyurethane.  In addition to the highly desirable “shiny” look, the coating helps prevent scratching, gives it a higher resistance to sunlight fading and is an excellent dir-repelling surface.

Bycast can be a top grain or split hide but in either case it is ironed very smooth to remove most of the natural graining. To clean, simply use a damp towel.  Heat from a hairdryer can be used to remove light scratches.

Characteristics of Bycast Leather :

* Uses the bottom split layer of the hide. 
* Is produced by first melting glue into the top surface and rolling on a very thick layer of polyurethane 
* Dyed through. 
* Dark colours are the best alternative.

Advantages of Bycast Leather :

* Very tough & thick depending on manufacturer specification. 
* Require minimal maintenance. 
* Virtually impenetrable to water.

* Low cost alternative to genuine leather.

Cons of Bycast Leather :

* May look unnatural
* Prone to peeling, de-lamination or cracking if not well maintained.
* Suits modern decorating trends. 
* Will not age well like genuine leather

1. 1. Move the bag to a well-ventilated location.
2. 2. Begin the cleaning process by donning the air mask. Use one of the clean cloths to gently wipe off as much of the surface mold as possible. Be sure to keep the air mask in place for this activity, as the wiping action will release mold into the air.
3. 3. Use the soft bristle toothbrush to get into the grain of the leather. Mold collects into these small crevices in the grain and will grow if not removed. As with the wiping, using the toothbrush will cause mold to fly into the air, so keep the mask on.
4. 4. Prepare a solution of mild soap in warm water. There are several soaps on the market that are considered safe for use on leather. It is usually possible to purchase soaps of this type stores that specialize in leather goods.
5. 5. Using a soft clean cloth, apply the soap and water liberally to the surface of the leather. Make sure to wash the entire surface of the leather, not just the spots where the mold is present. After soaping up the surface, use clean water to rinse remove any soap residue.
6. 6. Use dry cloths to soak up any remaining water on the surface of the leather. Apply a coat of leather conditioner according to the instructions that come with the product. Many conditioners require a second wipe down with a clean cloth to remove any excess product. Allow the leather to air dry before using the bag.

When mould grows into leather, usually it does not cause major damage.  The mould soaks up its food from the parts of the leather that do not contribute to strength. In fact, until the mould starts to grow new spores, it is effectively invisible – you cannot tell it is there.

The biggest problem with moulds in leather is caused by a change in color - staining. Often they stain the leather in bright colors, and leave spots and grain marks that will make finished leather look inferior.  This causes downgrading of the finished product, and can cost a lot of money.

Once moulds are inside the leather, simply cleaning the surface will not solve the problem, since the moulds will grow right out again.

Moulds can also consume some important additives used in leather making, such as fat liquors, tannins and so on.

How to slow down mould growth?

If we understand the things moulds need to grow, we can change these things, and slow down growth.

• 1. Water.  Mould will not grow on dry materials.  If finished leather is dried and kept dry, there will be no mould.  However, allowing leather to get wet will encourage mould growth.  Leather in the wet blue state is very prone to mould growth.
• 2. Acidity.   Mould grows best when it is in a slightly acid environment.  Pickled pelts are too acid for fast mould growth.  Very alkaline conditions do not support much mould growth.
• 3. Warmth.  Mould likes it best between 25 and 30 deg. C.  That is why it is worse in summer, or in the tropics.  Keeping leather stored in cool conditions will not stop mould, but will slow its growth a little.
• 4. Oxygen.  Without oxygen, moulds cannot grow.  If wet blues or pickled pelts are baled and pressed into a tightly packed state, mould will only grow on the outside.  There is too little oxygen inside the pack.
• 5. Nutrients.  Moulds soak up the soluble parts of leather as food.  Unfortunately, we cannot remove these to control mould growth.  Some leathers (like vegetable tanned leathers) have more nutrients, and support especially vigorous mould growth.

The usage of a humidifier at settings 30 ~ 50% would be best to maintain leather & faux leather products.

Humidity levels set too low will cause leather & faux leather to crack easily.

High Humidity or heat levels will cause fungus to grow easily and cause materials such as faux leather to have chemical reactions which may cause the following.

1.  Stickiness of material

2.  Peeling of material

3.  Discolouration, etc.

Typical Humidity levels in Singapore may hit as high as 90% RH so its always good to invest in a quality dehumidifier to maintain your quality leather pieces.

Many unfinished leather products such as suede are richly colored and, while providing a distinctive flair, may transfer onto other fabrics.  Similarly, pigment from other fabrics may also transfer color onto your suede product.   However, a little common sense will prevent most potential color bleed issues. 

For instance, avoiding skin oils transfer and avoiding moisture (i.e., wearing your accessory on excessively humid days or in the rain) help prevent or reduce this problem.  Also, try to avoid carrying your suede duffle with your lighter colored fabrics.   Likewise, avoid carrying your pristine light colored suede bag with your new blue denim jeans.

• - Darker coloured unfinished leathers suede normally will have excess dyes in them that required several conditioning sessions to minimize color transfer.
• - The use of spray type of suede protector will normally minimize the probablity of such issues from occuring. 
• - Avoid moisture like rain, sweat which will hasten colour transfer.

It is always good to read the care label on your leather cleaner and test it on an inconspicuous area before apply it on the whole bag.

Different leather cleaners contain varying amount of cleaning agents.  These cleaning agents are unable to differentiate between dirt stains and color dyes.

Therefore, they may strip off the dirt stain ALONG with color dyes.

It is the same logic as washing your laundry.  Laundry bleach will strip off dirt stains on a white shirt but what if you wash that bright red dress you bought using bleach?

Your bright red dress will turn a dull pink because the cleaning bleach is unable to differentiate between dirt stains and cloth dyes.

The key is to test on an inconspicuous area. =)

Although Genuine Leather and Poly Urethane (PU) Synthetic leather are more wear resistant as compared to other commonly used materials like soft PVC and etc. We cannot ignore the fact that they are still considered soft material which can still be scratched by sharp objects i.e. Keys, knifes or be affected by abrasion i.e. rubbing against a rough surface (flooring).

Even metals like copper and steel are prone to thinning and scratches due to abrasion. Just take a quick look at your metal wrist watch and you'll understand what we mean. =)

Humidity levels set too low will cause leather & faux leather to crack easily since the material moisture is lost.

Humidity & temperature levels set too high will cause leather & faux leather to grow mould easily.  Faux leather tend to deform easily with temperatures above 35 degrees Celsius.

So leaving your faux leather bag in the car under the hot sun may not be a good idea.

Scratches and cuts to these materials are normally irrepairable therefore, we emphasize on adequate care for your Feb 29 to maximize its life span.

Feb 29 have put in place some measures to minimize such problems from happening.

1. Cloth dust bags are provided for selected bags. Cloth bags can be especially useful to protect unused bags against sharp cabinet edges.

2. An especially thick protective layer for all FEB 29 bycast leather bags. The thicker the layer, the more wear resistant the material becomes.

3. Quality Poly Urethane material that doesn't peel or get scratched easily. Normally bags would come with a small material sample attached to it.
Just rub your tip of your fingernail against that sample and if it peels immediately. It maybe of inferior quality. 

PLEASE only do that on the material sample and not on the ACTUAL display product. 

We like to take care of our customers and we hope our customers can do the same to our display items as well. =)

Generally, mid size bags (typically approx A4 size) can carry 3 ~ 5kg comfortably & its lifespan are typically grouped according to their material.

1.  Faux Leather - Generally 8 to 18 months

2.  Genuine Leather - Generally 12 months ~  36 months

3.  Canvas - Generally 8months ~ 24 months.

 (This timing acts only as a rough guide as we have seen vintage leather that lasts for decades with proper care)

The period varies with several factors such as

1.  Daily maintenance; Conditioning,  proper carrying method

2.  Weight load

3.  Frequency of usage.

4.  Environment conditions; Heat can cause chemical reactions in faux leather and induce peeling and stickness, High humidity can cause mould to grow on leather/canvas & cause discolouration; odors

Just like shoes, it is always advisable to rotate the use of your bags every 1 to 3 days so prolong its lifespan and do maintenance works such as leather conditioning and such.

This common mishap is known as Crocking; it is defined as the rub off of color from 1 item to another.

Most clothing do contain dyes that requires several washes to get that excess dyes out.  That's one of the reasons, you see your favorite pair of jeans fading after numerous washes.

The longevity of your bag depends on many factors such as

1.  Material of the bag.

• - Select materials such as genuine leather, tight knitted canvas or nylon for they are one of the few materials that are very durable with proper care.
• - Tearing of the inner lining of the bag is one of the most common problems, do check if the cloth lining is relatively thick to minimize the risk of tearing.
• - Metal bag clips are less prone to breaking so try knocking them against each other.  If a dull tone is heard, it may be plastic instead.

2.  Workmanship of the bag.

• - Thicker stitching with bigger knots at the end may indicate tougher and more durable stitches.

3.  Intended use of the bag.

• Never use a bag for a use not intended for it. 

  • If its a small document bag, do not try to squeeze your heavy laptop in just because you do not have a laptop bag at that moment.   Never overload it!

  • If you need a bag for rugged use such as going to the beach or rock climbing, nylon or genuine leather would be a better material to begin with.

  • If you need something light, water resistant or perhaps easier to match your evening gown, it maybe better to consider synthetic leather as they are relatively lighter and they do come in a vast variety of colors and textures.

4.  Maintenance of the bag.

• Materials such a genuine leather require polishing and conditioning to improve its luster and strength.
• Never leave a wet bag in the closet, regardless of the material.  Dampness increases the probability of mould growing which will destroy the bag's visual asthetics and physical attributes.  Decay may also set in, causing damages to cloth stitching and linings.

As we cram more activities into our days, we tend to cram even more stuffs into our bags.  This eventually leads to what we call the handbag syndrome.

The neck has a natural curve to it and it evenly distributes force along the spine.  When we carry a heavy bag on one side over a period of time, that natural curve starts to straighten which will lead to chronic neck and back pains.

• - DON'T carry more than 10 percent of your body weight. Any more can throw off your posture.   i.e. A 45 kg lady should not carry more than 4.5 kgs load which is almost equivalent to a small pack of grain rice.
• - DO consider a backpack. It distributes the weight between both shoulders.
• - DO look for a shoulder bag with short, wide straps. Slender straps tend to dig into your shoulder or fall off. Also, try to alternate the shoulder you carry it on.
• - Avoid long-strapped bags and chain handles. The former swings around as you walk, while the chain handle digs into your skin.
• - When carrying shoulder bags, make sure the longest your bag sits is around your waist or bellybutton area.

Partying in a cigarette smoke filled club or enjoying your dinner at that famous BBQ diner may have already got you complaining of that

stale odor on your precious bag.  These are some methods to help you get that fresh smell back again.

• - Don't throw those perfume sample testers away, leave it in your bag instead and your bag will smell like your favorite brand of perfume at no extra cost.
• - Don't throw those used tea bags away.  Dry them and leave them in your bags as tea leaves are well known to absorb any odors efficiently.
• - Leaving crushed up balls of newspapers in your un-used bags still kept in your closet will reduce moisture build up and absorb odor.

There is not fool proof way to make your canvas bag water-proof unless you wrap it up in several layers of ziplock bags.  =P

However, we do know of an excellent and cost effective way to make your canvas material bags repel water which will come in extremely useful when you are caught in the rain.

Visit your home department store and look for water repellant spray, it is normally located at the shoes or car care section.

Just spray a light mist every few days and it will provide a water protective layer that will repel damaging rain water.

Do try the spray on an inconspicuous area of your bag to test for adverse reaction first.

All brands of bags can definitely take quite some loads, the issue is for how long?  =)

We do advise our customers to follow this guide to prolong the longevity of their FEB 29 bags.

• - Synthetic leather material   (Less than 4 kgs i.e. A tub of washing powder)
• - Genuine leather / Canvas material   (Less than 6 kgs i.e. A sack of grain rice)

Just a gentle reminder to our customers that our body should not carry more than 10% of our body weight to avoid health problems like neck and back chronic pains.  =)

*Figures above are as to act as a "play safe" guide as weight loads differ from designs, materials & sizing.

You've probably run into this problem before: You're zipping up your bag, and the lining suddenly gets caught in the zipper's teeth.

Here's how to get out of it.

1. 1. Stop zipping as soon as you feel something is caught.

2. 2. Examine the zip to locate the problem. The inner lining may be caught so check the inside of the bag.

3. 3. Gently pull the lining away from the zip head. Tug lightly if necessary. Pull at the lining, not at the zipper. Pulling the zip tag up or down will worsen the problem.

4. 4. If any teeth became separated as you removed the lining, push them back into place.

5. 5. Run your fingers along the length of the zip and push the lining away from the zip to prevent future snags.

6. 6. Use a little force to pull the zip head to the bottom. Then rezip, making sure to avoid the lining as you go.

What is Mink Oil?

Mink is an animal that belongs to the same family as weasels & otters. Their furs are highly prized and their left over fats will be using to produce mink oil. They are commonly sold as a paste or cream for leather conditioning.

Mink oil for leather boots was first used by fur trappers, who found that by applying mink oil to their boots, it made it more flexible, and waterproof. It is used in leather care products where the sebum of these minks, prove to be a good way of using it for leather care, making them last longer, and pack in that sheen effect rather than giving it that dull appearance. It is mixed with beeswax, to further make its effects stronger. It is also used for polishing handbags, car seats and briefcases

Mink oil acts as a softening agent; it helps to make leather more supple and comfortable. It also improves the lifespan of leather by replacing the natural oils removed during the tanning process.Do note that it is possible to over-soften leather and discolor leather by using mink oil. Light colored leather will be made darker after applying mink oil. It is advised to apply mink oil in thin and evenly coatings.

Let's see how to use mink oil for leather.

The first step is to slightly warm the leather using either a hair dryer or another source of heat for a couple of minutes to allow it to absorb the oil better once applied.

Paper towels can be used to apply the mink oil, or you could use any kind of cloth like chamois or ordinary cotton.

Use the cloth against your fingers and apply the mink oil paste to it, until you see it being absorbed by the leather.

It should turn clear, when applied to the leather , so you know it's been absorbed.

Do one part of the leather at a time, and not all at once, till the whole leather is evenly covered by mink oil.

When you're done, keep the leather to rest overnight, so that it can dry up, and the following morning repeat the same steps as above, another time.

Some leathers can turn a shade darker after the use of mink oil. It can be used to condition anything that is leather based, to polish and restore its sheen and texture. You can put mink oil on your leather every few months to keep them in good shape. Mink oil doesn't damage anything that it comes into contact with while applying the sebum, like the stitching of your bags.

Neatsfoot oil is a yellow oil rendered and purified from the shin bones and feet of cattle.

Neatsfoot oil is used as a conditioning, softening and preservative agent for leather. Neatsfoot oil is used on a number of leather products, although it has been replaced by synthetic products for certain applications. Items such as baseball gloves, saddles, horse harnesses and other horse tack can be softened and conditioned with neatsfoot oil.

If used on important historical objects, neatsfoot oil (like other leather dressings) can oxidize with time and actually contribute to embrittling. It also may leave an oily residue that can attract dust. On newer leather, it may cause darkening (even after a single application), and thus may not be a desirable product to use when the maintenance of a lighter shade is desired. Neatsfoot oil is more useful for routine use on working equipment.

Saddle soap is a preparatory compound containing mild soap and softening ingredients such as neatsfoot oil, glycerine, and lanolin.

It also contains bee's wax to protect leather. It is used for cleaning, conditioning and softening leather, particularly that of saddles and other horse tack, hence its name. It is also commonly used for cleaning and conditioning leather footwear.

So is saddle soap really good?

In the late 1800's the final tanning of leather required the talents of a "currier". This craftsman took the tanned but brittle hide and worked oils into it until the desired flexibility was obtained. This process was called fatliquoring. The fatliquor of choice was an emulsion of oil in soap. This "saddle soap" was not used as a cleaner. It was a softening conditioner.

In fact, saddle soap is a very poor cleaner. It must first dissolve its own oils, limiting its capacity to dissolve dirt and oils in the leather. Saddle soap is also inherently alkaline but alkalinity is damaging to leather. Saddle soap is notoriously alkaline – and alkalinity actually damages leather. Alkalinity can abrade both the hide itself and the stitching which binds it. Another problem arises during application. Most saddle soaps instruct the user to work the lather into the leather. Since loosened dirt is suspended in the lather, it is pushed back into the leather's pores.

Saddle soaps have long been replaced in tanneries by modern emulsions which penetrate, soften and condition with greater ease and stability. the popular myth of saddle soap as a cleaner however persists as modern folklore

The truth is that saddle soap was never intended as a leather cleaner. During the 1800’s the method of tanning leather was to drench it with oils and rub them into the skins to restore pliability and softness to the hide. Leather tanners of the day used a variation of what today we refer to as saddle soap to affect restoration of suppleness. However, the soaps were never used to actually clean the hides.

Consumers have always endeavored to reach for the favorite products of tradesmiths. If the professionals use something it must work great... right? Well, for it’s industrial use, saddle soap did its job well... back in the 1800’s, mind you. These days, leathersmiths tan hides using the most advanced emulsions and have long abandoned the use of saddle soaps – for any purpose. These modern emulsions simply perform better, soften quicker, and deep condition with lasting moisturizers.

At Feb 29, we inspect all items to ensure good conditions and carefully pack each item before shipping. 

Pls email us at  Repairs@MyFeb29.com for a copy of the repair form, fill in the details & email the form back to us.

PLEASE DO NOT SEND BACK YOUR MERCHANDISE UNTIL A CONFIRMATION LETTER HAS BEEN ISSUED TO YOU.

For repair works, any repair charges, applying shipping charges and prevailing taxes are borne by the buying/receiving party.

For overseas buyers
Points to note before you shipped your item to be repaired:

*Please complete the repair form before you shipped your merchandise for repair works.

All items should be shipped via insured mail to:

ATTN: REPAIRS @ FEB 29
63 Jurong West Central 3 #01-29 
Jurong Point Shopping Centre S(648331)

6 month Free repairs

a. Repair period is approx 1 to 8 weeks depending on damage conditions. 
b. Condition may not be back to original condition depending on damage extent. 
c. Invalid for wear, tear & abrasion (ie. scratches, cuts, stains, decay, improper care and etc.) 
d. Returned item must be accompanied by receipt.
e. From purchased date.
f. Goods sold are not refundable.
g. This benefit is only applicable to items within "reasonable" damage. The management reserves all rights to 
determine what is "reasonable". i.e. damaged zipper, items not damaged by decay, etc

Local buyers may also opt to leave their items at any FEB 29 outlets for servicing works to save on shipping costs.

All shipping costs i.e. from buyer to FEB 29, FEB 29 to buyer will be the responsibility of the buyer.

The costs and risks incurred by returns are payable by the purchaser. Original delivery charges are non-refundable.

The buyer will have to bear the cost of returning the items to us & for us to ship it back to the buyer.

Please note that shipping charges are not refundable & any further charges incurred upon the return on merchandise will be borne by the customer.

For international orders, you might have to pay additional costs according to your respective countries' taxation laws.

Please check with your respective countries' customs offices.

Feb 29 will process your order immediately once your payment is cleared. You will receive an email with your order delivery details.

Feb 29 will accept cancellation of orders and payment refund ONLY in the event where payment is received but has not been cleared. 

In the event that payment is cleared and order is being processed for shipping, we will treat this order as final and no payment refunded. 
You can, however, replace the items confirmed in that order with other items from our wide range of collection.