The Leather We Use!
It’s often been said that ‘you get what you pay for,’ and when it comes to leather products, truer words have never been spoken. In a time when we can buy mass-produced goods from all over the world with a few clicks on a screen, we have all learned the hard way that cheaply priced is cheaply made, and the ‘genuine leather’ label never lives up to expectations.
At Night Heron Leather, we’re proud to tell you exactly what kind of leathers we’re using, because we use some of the best leathers in the world. When you invest in our handcrafted leather goods, you’re investing in a product that is built to last a lifetime, and constructed from a leather specifically intended for that product’s purpose.
All of the leathers we use are a high quality, full-grain leather chosen specifically for their unique characteristics resulting from the type of hide and tanning
process:
Harness Leather:
Made with a natural finish, Harness leather is a durable, vegetable tanned leather that was originally made for harnesses and other riding tack that came in direct contact with the horse. It is infused with waxes and oils to resist sweat and water, while remaining strong with repeated use and wear. Its natural finish makes it popular for belts, wallets and bags, where each hide comes with its own unique grain and blemishes that remain visible after the tanning process is complete.
Made with a natural finish, Harness leather is a durable, vegetable tanned leather that was originally made for harnesses and other riding tack that came in direct contact with the horse. It is infused with waxes and oils to resist sweat and water, while remaining strong with repeated use and wear. Its natural finish makes it popular for belts, wallets and bags, where each hide comes with its own unique grain and blemishes that remain visible after the tanning process is complete.
Bridle Leather:
Similar to Latigo leather, Bridle leather is prized for its durability of use, particularly in the equestrian trade. It has a handsome, smooth finish that takes on a deep and lustrous patina with use over time. Though initially stiffer than some leathers, Bridle leather will soften over time, while retaining its strength and durability. This vegetable tanned leather is heavily infused with oils to make it naturally resistant to water and sweat, and is widely used today for belts, wallets and bags that see daily use and abuse.
Similar to Latigo leather, Bridle leather is prized for its durability of use, particularly in the equestrian trade. It has a handsome, smooth finish that takes on a deep and lustrous patina with use over time. Though initially stiffer than some leathers, Bridle leather will soften over time, while retaining its strength and durability. This vegetable tanned leather is heavily infused with oils to make it naturally resistant to water and sweat, and is widely used today for belts, wallets and bags that see daily use and abuse.
Latigo Leather:
Taken from the Spanish word for ‘whip,’ Latigo leather is made from a combination chrome and vegetable tanning process, making it incredibly strong and durable, but also soft and supple. Due to the high amounts of oils infused during the tanning process, Latigo leather is naturally resistant to moisture and sweat, and won’t stretch with heavy use. Its ability to withstand heat, stress and the elements makes it optimal for riding tack, straps, belts, pet collars and leashes, and cinches, where the regular abuse only makes it softer and more supple with time.
Taken from the Spanish word for ‘whip,’ Latigo leather is made from a combination chrome and vegetable tanning process, making it incredibly strong and durable, but also soft and supple. Due to the high amounts of oils infused during the tanning process, Latigo leather is naturally resistant to moisture and sweat, and won’t stretch with heavy use. Its ability to withstand heat, stress and the elements makes it optimal for riding tack, straps, belts, pet collars and leashes, and cinches, where the regular abuse only makes it softer and more supple with time.
Shell Cordovan Leather:
Shell Cordovan is a type of leather that comes from the densely fibrous connective tissue, or shell, beneath the hide on the hind quarters of a horse. It is produced in relatively small amounts, due in part to the limited amount yielded from a single animal, but also the lengthy tanning process involved. Due to its ability to retain its shape without creasing when bent, Cordovan is considered one of the most durable leathers on the market today, and is highly sought after for products like shoes, wallets and more.
Shell Cordovan is a type of leather that comes from the densely fibrous connective tissue, or shell, beneath the hide on the hind quarters of a horse. It is produced in relatively small amounts, due in part to the limited amount yielded from a single animal, but also the lengthy tanning process involved. Due to its ability to retain its shape without creasing when bent, Cordovan is considered one of the most durable leathers on the market today, and is highly sought after for products like shoes, wallets and more.
Pueblo Leather:
An Italian leather made from the Badalassi Carlo tannery, Pueblo leather is a vegetable tanned featuring a unique rustic patterning comparable to suede. Cut from the shoulder of the hide, Pueblo leather is soft but highly durable, making it an excellent choice for wallets, bags and more. It is dyed through the core of the leather, and is known for its variety of distinct and popular colors.
An Italian leather made from the Badalassi Carlo tannery, Pueblo leather is a vegetable tanned featuring a unique rustic patterning comparable to suede. Cut from the shoulder of the hide, Pueblo leather is soft but highly durable, making it an excellent choice for wallets, bags and more. It is dyed through the core of the leather, and is known for its variety of distinct and popular colors.
Horween Dublin Leather:
Based in Chicago, the Horween Leather Co. is one of the last great American tanneries still in operation today. Founded in 1905, Horween leather is the leather of choice used by both the NFL and NBA. Each cut of full-grain Horween leather is still tanned by hand, the same way has been for more than 100 years. Horween leathers are known to develop beautiful patinas with use over time.
Based in Chicago, the Horween Leather Co. is one of the last great American tanneries still in operation today. Founded in 1905, Horween leather is the leather of choice used by both the NFL and NBA. Each cut of full-grain Horween leather is still tanned by hand, the same way has been for more than 100 years. Horween leathers are known to develop beautiful patinas with use over time.
