Leather Options

Current shell cordovan stock:
Horween - Natural, #8, Dark Cognac, & Black (natural, dark cognac and black pictured left)
Rocado - Whiskey, Burgundy & Dark Brown
Clayton & Sons - Claret, Whiskey, Green, & Blue
Shinki-Hikaku - Natural & Antique (Pictured Right)

NATURAL & BRIDLE LEATHERS (Steerhide)

All US steer leathers currently stocked are sourced from Wickett & Craig of America, one of America's finest tanneries.  Wickett & Craig has been operating in Canada and the U.S. since 1867 and are renowned for producing clean, supple, and versatile vegetable tanned leathers.    I currently stock their natural vegetable tanned leather as well as various colors of their "English" bridle leather.
Bridle leathers are tanned using the exact same process as the natural hides, except they are drum dyed and "hot stuffed" with tallows and oils, providing a leather that is slightly stronger (increased tensile strength of each fiber), in addition to having a slight luster due to to the waxy top dressing that each hide receives.  Items crafted from bridle leather will be especially supple, with a slight sheen, and will break in quickly.

Shell Cordovan (horsehide)

Shell Cordovan is currently stocked by Horween Leather (Chicago); Clayton & Sons (England), Shinki-Hikaku of Japan & Rocado Shell Cordovan of Tuscany, Italy.  
Shell Cordovan is renowned for its smooth and supple surface.  The tanning process for this type of leather is extensive, usually requiring 6 months of tanning / fermenting to yield a high end product.    The result is an incredibly resilient leather that has beautiful depth and sheen.    

                     NOTE:  Please see shell cordovan status at top of page for current colors / shells that are in stock.

Italian Vegetable Tanned leather (Walpier)

Available Colors:  Natural, Whiskey, Chestnut, Yellow, Blue, Dark Brown, and Black

Several color options are available for almost all models using Buttero leather from Conceria Walpier, a world renowned tannery based in Tuscany, Italy.  Buttero (Italian for cowboy) leather is known for its beautiful smooth texture and slight striation in the grain giving this leather subtle character. This leather is also given a small oil treatment by the tannery and will have initially a firm temper, but softens up nicely over time.