Notes On English Bridle Leather
This week, I’m cutting leather straps for travel bags. I’ve been using this English bridle leather since I started the business and still admire its quality. It’s smooth, firm yet flexible and great to work with.
English bridle leather is mainly used in classic equestrian gear and premium leather goods. It is vegetable tanned, a labor-intensive and sustainable method. The American tannery that makes it has over 150 years of experience.
Bridle leather comes in different thicknesses. For the bags, it needs to be more durable, so I use a heavier weight leather.
Pictured here is a custom colour Roll-Top Bag (olive green) and a Medium Utility Tote in charcoal grey.
Bridle leather is also used for the shoulder straps on Zipper Totes.
Only vegetable tanned leather can be used for the personalization. It’s the only leather that can be hand stamped.
It’s also used for the pull tabs on the mechanical keyboard cases, like this custom colour 60% keyboard case or sleeve.
When I started out, my supplier told me that real quality leather has some scratches and scarring. It’s a natural product, a by-product of the cattle industry. A lot of the leather out in the market is so flawless that it’s been over processed and dyed.
If you ride a Brompton bike, the Carrier Block Leather Release Strap will make removing your bag a lot easier.
I added a small leather tab to the Hold Pouch. It extends the zipper pull and I like the look of the waxed canvas with the leather.
