Materials
Environment
We believe nature is best, and natural materials are meant to be used, particularly when they are sustainably sourced and are minimally caustic to the environment. We are committed to sourcing premium leather that leaves as little as a mark on the environment as well as our personal health, and are humanely sourced. For these reasons we make primary use of vegetable tanned leathers and prefer to leave them in the raw or natural state. Our leathers are sourced from the Hermann Oak Tannery in St. Louis, Missouri, and are:
1. a byproduct of the meat industry in America
2. raw, organic, and biodegradable because they are tanned using tannins and other plant-based matter
3. still tanned in America (due to the gentler tanning process that complies with USDA regulations)
Read more about our leather: Hermann Oak Tannery .
Vegetable Tanned Leather
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Vegetable tanned leather is the only leather that is still tanned in America because it is not treated with caustic chemicals, rather the tanning process is slower and is plant based. Due to its raw nature, it darkens and develops its own patina with use and exposure to nature’s elements: oil, sun, water. We encourage you to embrace what may come with time and use (a beautiful and unique patina). We pre-condition all of our leather with pure Neatsfoot oil. We also recommend periodic oiling (approximately every six months) to maintain its longevity. Oiling should be done with a fine-fibered cloth, sheepskin, or horsehair brush using even circular strokes--a little oil goes a long way. Other signs your leather needs to be oiled include: cracking of the leather, brittle or dry leather grain to touch, or overexposure to water. We are also happy to oil your piece for you, just ask!
Dyed Vegetable Tanned Leather
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We use organic dyes, so there will not be any harsh chemicals on the leather. Dyed leather will not darken or lighten, however there may have some dye transfer when newly dyed pieces come into contact with light fabrics (similar to a new pair of raw indigo dyed jeans). So, be careful in the beginning! Otherwise, care is similar to vegetable tan leather.
Canvas
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For our canvas products, you may brush off any dirt and spot wash any heavily soiled areas with water. To re-condition your waxed canvas, we suggest use of a product such as Otter Wax or Martexin Original Wax.
Salvaged Materials
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We like to incorporate materials that come along our way. We've made use of canvas army tent fabric, sailcloth, and denim jeans. We do not treat any of these fabrics, and they come with natural wear/tear and the love that comes with a long life. We do our best to make use of the best portions of these materials, but they will naturally have markings. For these materials, we recommend washing by hand, with care, by spot cleaning with a brush and simple green and air dry, for best results.