Our leather is sourced exclusively from J & FJ Baker, a small centuries old tannery located in Devon, UK. While J & FJ Baker was officially established in 1862, there have been tanneries in use at their site since Roman times, over 2000 years ago. Learn more here.
While we always aim to source materials locally in the US, our commitment to quality and craftsmanship led us to the UK, where their dedication to producing the best english bridle leather, using traditional and sustainable techniques, is world renowned. We do, however, source the J & FJ Baker leather from a US distributor, Carmine Jack Leather Supply.
What makes J & FJ Baker leather so unique, is the 15 month oak-bark tanning process it undergoes. It begins when hides are sourced from local free range cattle farms. Once on site, the hides are run through traditional de-hairing and fleshing machines in preparation for tanning.
Now bare, the hides are washed in oak bark tannin for 3 months and set in a pit for another 9 months, layered flat with ground oak bark from Coppiced UK trees between each piece. Once the tanning process is complete, each hide is greased with a variety of fats, liquors, and oils to strengthen the fibers, then dried in a drying shed with a biomass boiler.
Finally, the hides are hand stained with four coats and covered in a specially blended dubbin. The dubbin acts as a wax and protectant, giving the Baker leather unmatched durability, along with long admired water and scratch resistance. The dubbin is sometimes shown in our product photos with a white powdery look, but is fully buffed in before shipped.
From using century old environmentally friendly tanning processes to sourcing local free range hides as a byproduct of the meat market, a commitment to sustainability is centered in the heart of J & FJ Baker.
Because their leather is the strongest and most durable there is, our products will last a lifetime. Less replacement. Less waste. Less environmental impact.
