Our Leather
We source all of our leather from historic US tanneries.
Nearly all of our leather comes from one of two tanneries. The first is Tasman Leather Group located in Hartwell, ME. Tasman is the epitome of “Made in America” pride. Nearly 1 in 4 US cattle hides will pass through one of their tanneries. The leather we use from them is a sturdy 5.5oz weight, hot stuffed with waxes and finished with a top wax. This top wax provides an extra layer of protection from the elements as well as a dramatic effect called “pull-up”. Pull-up occurs when the leather is creased; the oils in the leather temporarily redistribute and create highlights in the color. Your bag will arrive with a unique pattern born from our hands during its making. With a little time and use, those highlights may fade and occur elsewhere, fully reflecting you and how you use your bag.
The other tannery we source from is Wickett and Craig in Pennsylvania. Founded in 1867, they are world-renowned for their high quality vegetable tanned leather. Vegetable tanning requires a team of highly skilled workers as the process is specific and involved. Rather than the quick production time for chemically-processed leather (1-2 days), vegetable tanned leather uses only natural oils and tree bark tannins and can take upwards of 6 weeks to finish. The result? Spectacularly rich leather that, by nature, will only improve with age.
Leather Care
Over time any leather product will develop a patina unique to the user as it gets scuffed, bumped, and burnished. That being said, we recommend cleaning and conditioning your product once or twice a year (or as needed). Cleaning and conditioning will darken the leather, usually temporarily, so don't be surprised by the sudden shift. Of course it’s always good practice to test any new product on a discrete area. Read all directions on your conditioner of choice before using, and ask us if you have any questions. But in general:
1. Wipe off any dirt or dust with a damp cloth. Use saddle soap if it's particularly dirty. Let dry.
2. Grab a clean, dry cloth and a leather conditioner (we carry Smith's Leather Balm which you can purchase here) or neatsfoot oil. Rub cloth over conditioner or saturate evenly with oil.
3. Rub conditioner or oil into leather in small circular motions until the leather is evenly coated and there are no streaks.
4. Allow to dry for 30 minutes. Wipe off any excess conditioner or oil with a dry cloth. You’re good to go!