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A Range of Possibilities – Part 3: An Audio Interview with Leather Virtuoso Kyle Koster

As with everything in life, all good things must come to an end. Hopefully you’ve been following us through the first two parts of our interview with Kyle Koster of Range Leather.  If you haven’t yet, you can take a look at Part 1 and Part 2, and follow-up with this third and final segment.  While you’ll probably be just fine to read these interviews out-of-order, we wouldn’t want you to miss any references made in the previous couple of weeks.  Enjoy this last piece, and if you have any questions, comments, or ideas for these interviews, please drop me a line at [email protected].

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BL: When you make a product like the Range Mug, don’t you worry about the leather stretching over time?

KK: Yes. That’s why we went to the thicker leather as we could. Well, you could get a little thicker, but to work with that’s about what you want to do, so the 9, 10 ounce is going to stretch. It’s like a thick belt to avoid that. And then the second thing is with the wide mouth Mason jars as you can see it goes up, and then it hits a lip on the wide mouth Mason jar. There is no way they would ever stretch over that lip with 9, 10 ounce leather, so you’re always going to have a stop if that makes sense.

Listen to what Kyle has to say:

 

BL: With the mug being such a new product, can I assume you’ve tested them thoroughly before putting them on the market?

KK: My wife and I drink coffee for about 4 months every morning. The thing I love about them is you can drink both hot and cold liquids. You can put scalding hot coffee in there as hot as you can get, and the leather, it just like radiates super nice. Even on the ceramic mug there is no way you can put your hand right to it right away, and with the thick leather on there it is just great. It conducts heat, almost like a hand warmer, a little hand warmer the way it’s radiating. That’s what it feels like. My wife sits there with both of her hands around hers in the morning. Obviously you can use it for to-go. You can put the lid on, and the Ball Mason jars are fully sealed. You can put water in it, throw it in your pack, bag, whatever you want. It won’t leak, so that’s the nice part.

Listen to what Kyle has to say:

 

BL: The widemouth jar looks cool, but isn’t kind of a hassle to use a lid that is only supposed to be sealed once (if you used it for canning)?

KK: Yeah, they tell you on canning you’re supposed to use it just one time, but not necessarily. That’s more about the pressure when you’re canning and keeping the seal for botulism and stuff. I’ve beat up lids, and they still hold good. You can just tighten harder on this outside piece.

The other thing we are doing is, actually just a couple days ago – there’s a company called Cuppow which makes an after-market lid which is like a spout basically. The way it works, you remove the outer ring, then you replace the flat ball part with their after-market spout, and then you twist back on the outer ring. I just talked to them, and we are going to make that available to our Kickstarter backers at a discounted price. So you can add that on.

The nice part about that is it’s essentially like having a lid on your to-go coffee cup. It’s very similar, but it’s a hard plastic piece. That makes it easier to drink out of, depending on what you’re doing, especially coffee. Then you can avoid taking the lid on and off, which doesn’t really bother me. I kind of like the process of taking the lid on and off. But it’s just another option, and it’s cool, and we’re excited to be working with them, but you can look them up. It’s called Cuppow.

Listen to what Kyle has to say:

 

BL: How did you make sure this mug is going to stand up over time beside just using a heavy leather in the construction?

KK:  One of the things I did – I wanted to see, so I sent one through the mail in an envelope, just wrapping it a couple times with just paper, doing normal packaging like we do, but not putting any bubble wrap or anything, and I sent it to someone else. “Did it make it there?” Just to see how durable the glass, because really you’re adding leather to a really durable product of a Mason jar.

Exactly. That’s the fun part about it. It’s a mug we set on our Kirkstarter page to accompany any adventure. It’s kind of like the tag we used, whether you’re going to work you can bring it, whether you are going hiking on a trail you could legitimately – obviously it’s not the most weight-efficient product. You’re just going out for a day hike or something like that. We went out, clipped it to a bag, went hiking with it, and it held up great.  Just different things.

One of the big things was I knew that before we started selling them. We did some trial sales just to see what people thought of our design. I knew that 9, 10 ounces obviously would protect the glass better. It’s going to have a sturdier, more rigid handle.

One of the things I used Chicago screws to hold everything together, just essentially screws into itself and tightens, but that works really well. They’re solid. All the screws are solid brass, but these ones are plated because they’re kind of a brushed nickel color, but their stuff is not like zinc or anything like that. We get all our hardware from Buckleguy. We really enjoyed working with them.

Listen to what Kyle has to say:

 

BL: I see you’ve got something else there with you today.  What exactly is that for those who can’t see what I’m seeing?

KK: This is a pipe pouch. …Occasionally. I actually got a custom order. Someone asked me, so I said, “Hey, I probably smoke my pipe 2 or 3 times a year. That actually is a great idea.” So I sat down and made this guy his own special design, and going back before, that’s a great way to be listening to your audience of what they want, doing custom orders for people. Then if they’re working well adding them to your own line as a leather company is a really great way to operate. You then have someone wanting something, you make it, you get feedback from them. This guy, who ordered it from me, liked it so much he referred me to some of the big online tobacco web sites trying to put me in contact with them to sell them on the sites because apparently in like pouches and cases they are either really really overpriced, even with not using great leather, or they’re just not great quality, or their design is really old school, kind of a box or something like…

Listen to what Kyle has to say:

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BL: It also looks like you’ve brought some type of wallet with you, the one I’m going to review in the next few weeks.  What are we looking at here?

KK: Yes. Here’s our minimalist wallet. You can kind of see; you can play with that one. Obviously that one’s not broken in. I’ve been using this one for a year. Obviously you can see the Horween leather and the rich patina that it gets. So the way I designed it – this one I did a lot of designs on because this was our first product we launched on Kickstarter.

I think the Kickstarter market is a little bit saturated on wallets. You’re getting tons and tons of wallets.

But the way I designed this one you can slide your thumb up on this side. All of our designs have angles built into them. Usually I try to incorporate angles, not curves because of the range and like mountains. That’s kind of the way we’re just subtly trying to work range.

It has an angled front so you can slide your thumb up. You can flip it over and slide your thumb out. I show people that. You slide your thumb up, flip it over, slide your thumb out. So you get both access to a vertical and a horizontal slot, and it’s just really easy to navigate.

I usually put my ID up front here, and then my credit card right there, and then it’s got a slot for cash on the back. Like I said, I’ve been carrying this for the last year. I have 6 cards in mine right now. You can hold more if you stuff it. But really I designed it as a minimalist wallet from 4 to 6. It does stretch, and it won’t stretch back, but the best way to look at is learn what you want to carry, and then carry that, and you won’t have any problems.

Listen to what Kyle has to say:

 

BL: It looks like it’s designed to be carried in your front pocket; not the back like a billfold if I’ve got it right…

KK: It is, a front pocket. When we do shows – the minimalist wallet – people come up – “I’ve been looking for a minimalist wallet.” The best part about this with the whole hand stitch all the way around is this is going to last forever. You can see the wear and the patina that mine has after a year of carry. The edges are all just gorgeous. I tell people it takes about 2 weeks to really break in so you can get that slide with your thumb. In our Kickstarter project the first one we did you actually link up to the slide and to see that. It really is easy to navigate. I won’t carry anything else as I design other wallets.

We have bi-folds and stuff like that. Even at shows people will be wanting to purchase a bi-fold which is a much more expensive wallet because a lot more time. I’m like, seriously though, think, look at this wallet…

Listen to what Kyle has to say:

 

BL: All right – the burning questions I’ve been waiting to ask – how expensive is it, really, to live in Hong Kong?

KK:  So the cheapest when I looked at it, the cheapest room I could find was like 100 feet by 140 feet, or sorry, 10 by like 12 or 14, so you’re looking at 140 square feet which is like a box.

Listen to what Kyle has to say:

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BL: And by “cheapest”, what are you shelling out every month for rent?

KK: This was the cheapest district in Hong Kong. The district is called Wan Chai. A lot of these places you would be living above; I had friends who had to do it because the price of living above night clubs and brothels and things like that. That is literally the cheapest district you can find in Hong Kong – sorry I have to convert from Hong Kong dollars to US, 900 to 1000 dollars for something like that, maybe 800, just expensive.

There are people who pay in rent in Hong Kong, and these aren’t mortgages, upwards of 30 to 40 thousand US dollars a month. These are in buildings. Everything there is apartments in a building. Maybe the top floor of a building would cost that. That is just crazy.

Listen to what Kyle has to say:

 

BL: Did you have any thing left over at the end of the month so you didn’t starve?

KK: Really that’s what is at a premium. Just briefly, there is a difference between the local. If you live and eat and just kind of maneuver as a local it’s really actually cheap, but If you go into the western side of things everything is going to be crazy expensive like that.

For me as a youth pastor I lived on the local side which I enjoyed much more like eating local food. For lunch you could go to a western restaurant and spend 40 or 50 bucks, or you could go to a Chinese lunch box shop under a bridge and spend $3.50 and get like more food than you would want, probably loaded with MSG, but that is okay.

Listen to what Kyle has to say:

 

BL: After everything we’ve talked about, I can only guess that being an entrepeneur and artist runs in your family.

KK: My grandmother always says to me, “Oh, you’re an entrepreneur; you know, Uncle Robert, he was an entrepreneur as well.” I think as for like the musical stuff. There are some musical people in my family. I don’t know. I’ve never really thought about it all that much. But I do think the artist side has definitely helped in design of products.

I also learned graphic design early on because I learned right away that if you’re going to have a company, and I would encourage anyone that has a company to learn graphic design. It will save you so much money and time on stuff and photography, just kind of learn that whole package. I took classes on lynda.com. It has tutorials. Spend the time as an entrepreneur to learn it because it will help you so much. It’s incredible.

Listen to what Kyle has to say:

 

BL: How do you keep it all together – life, family, and business…your sanity?

KK: We have a sign we put at our booth; it’s from First Thessalonians in the Bible. It says aspire to live quietly, mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands. I don’t think it means, Paul is not saying go live in the mountains in a shack by yourself and just build something. I think he’s saying kind of keep your nose out of other people’s problems and distractions and all the worldly things that can pull us in different directions and that aren’t glorifying to God, not necessarily to command everyone, but like he’s encouraging them to work with their hands. I think definitely my wife and I have found a lot of satisfaction and contentment in that.

Listen to what Kyle has to say:

 

 

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Remember, you can find out more about what is going on with Kyle and Range Leather on his web site at rangeleather.com. If you’d like to hear more programs like this, drop me a line at [email protected] with your suggestions and ideas for future segments.

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HoldFast Gear Money Maker Luxury Leather Multi Camera Strap Review – $215.00/$400.00

I moonlight as a photographer and have shot everything from portraits and weddings to sporting events.  I prefer full-frame DSLR cameras and the accompanying glass that goes with them for all my shoots.  However, carrying that much equipment can make you feel like you’re carrying Sisyphus’ rock at the end of a long photography session.

When I was offered the chance to review Hold Fast Gear’s Money Maker Luxury Leather Multi-Camera Strap, I took it without hesitation. The company claims it will allow you to carry up to 3 cameras comfortably for long periods of time.  While I couldn’t justify the purchase of a third camera to my boss (read “wife”) for this review, I have plenty of glass to give it a thorough test.

ABOUT HOLD FAST GEAR

Matthew Swaggart founded Holdfast Gear in 2011 with three values in mind: taste, logic, and faith.  As a photographer who has traveled the world, Matt understood the burden of carrying around pounds of equipment for hours or days at a time.

With an appreciation for the design aesthetics of the past and the need for functional equipment that would hold up even under the most austere conditions, he founded Hold Fast Gear.  His company offers a growing line of products designed to suit the needs of the on-the-go photographer.

Today, Matt keeps his notebooks close with ideas for new products, and plans to launch at least 10 new products within the next year.  He takes pride in the ethical production of all of his products in the USA while providing sustainable jobs to the Oklahoma economy.

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CONSTRUCTION

We’ll be looking at two versions of the strap today, both similar in function, but different in form:

American Bison Leather (Mahogany): The genuine bison leather on this strap came from Colorado.  Measurements average 35.8 mm across and 5 mm thick.  Half of the thickness is due to the cream glove leather lining on the inside of the strap. There are four black D-rings on the front of the strap designed for carrying accessories. The two large buckles on the back allow for adjustment of the shoulder opening, having 9 adjustment holes spaced 25 mm apart. Dark grey punch-through rivets hold everything together including the leather securing the D-rings, the buckle straps, the cross piece, and the camera sliders.

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The camera sliders are constructed of a massive D-ring, an equally massive, nickel-plated swivel, a fold-over leather strap secured by 4 rivets, and ¼” screw mount to attach to the tripod  mount on your camera.  As if that wasn’t enough, they also added a safety catch made of nylon and a plastic swivel that mounts to the lug on the left side of your camera.

Overall weight comes in at 1 pound, 14 ounces (840 grams), making it a little heavier than the bridle leather strap.

Tan Bridle Leather: We mention here only the differences between the straps.  This strap measures 33.5 mm across (-2.3 mm) with a thickness of 3.2 mm (-1.8 mm).  Of note, this strap is not lined with the cream glove leather. The hardware is all nickel-plated rather than black, including the rivets.

Overall weight comes in at a lighter 1 pound, 9 ounces (700 grams), and beside the bridle leather being naturally a bit stiff when it is new, those are the major differences in construction of the two straps.

FUNCTION

Because the overall design of the straps is nearly identical, I spent the majority of my time testing the functionality on the American bison strap.

My first chance to give the strap a real test was at a wedding reception photoshoot.  I attached my primary camera – a Canon 5D Mark III with battery grip and various lenses, and my secondary camera – a Canon EOS Rebel T3i with 50 mm prime lens.  The weight was significant, and would be a good test of the strap.

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I had no problems sliding the camera into position for any type of shot I wanted to take.  Carrying the cameras around for over 2 hours, I barely noticed the weight of the cameras.  The strap is that comfortable.  While initially concerned that the free-hanging cameras would bang against my leg or the surrounding environment, it was easy to adjust their position and prevent this from happening.  If you’re someone who uses telephoto lenses of 200mm or more, you’ll want to be a little more careful in cramped environments.

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The other issue I encountered was minor: getting the split ring on the lug of my camera and mounting the screw to the camera.  It took some finesse with my large hands to get the split ring on the lug.  Now that it’s there, I may never take it off.

I occasionally do shots low to the ground and found it easier to remove the camera from the strap.  This took a little time if you’re someone who finds themselves doing this often.

Overall, I was very impressed with the ease of use and comfort of this strap, and found it very useful for the run-and-gun type of shooting that defined this wedding reception.

AESTHETIC

Matt uses a chromium salt tanning process to give the bison leather its softness and texture, and then a vegetable-based re-tan to bring back the form of the leather. The cream leather padding on the underside of the strap adds to the comfort and the beauty of the strap.

Hold-Fast-Gear-Money-Maker-Luxury-Leather-Multi-Camera-Strap-002The bridle leather strap is an English bridle that is vegetable-tanned, drum dyed, and stuffed full of waxes and grease to make it weather proof.  While initially stiff, it has the advantage of molding to the user after repeated use.

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The hardware on both is beautiful and heavy duty at the same time.  Large buckles and D-rings give these straps a flare that will make them get noticed. While the functions remain the same, the strap you choose is purely a matter of looks and what you prefer.

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THE FINAL WORD

At the price point of $215 for the tan bridle leather strap and $400 for the American bison mahogany strap, the Money Maker Luxury Leather Multi-Camera Strap is a great investment. Like all quality leather products, it isn’t inexpensive; it is an investment.  Having not known about this product before I was asked to review it, I didn’t know what I was missing. I’ll be able to save my shoulders years of wear and look good while doing it.

As of this final writing, I also had the opportunity to use this strap at an 8-hour wedding shoot on September 19th, 2015.  With my 5D Mark III, battery grip, 70-200mm lens, and attached speedlight, I had some serious weight riding on my shoulders.  In addition, I had my second camera, a Canon T3i with 50mmm lense as my backup, riding on the other strap.  At the end of the day, my shoulders felt great – the strap performed that well.  Now if only Matt could invent something to make my feet a little less tired.

If you want a camera support system designed and built by a seasoned photographer that is attractive and functional, Hold Fast Gear has got it right.  With twelve models, there is plenty to choose from when trying to satisfy your sense of adventure.

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Total Watch Repair Black Genuine Alligator Watch Strap Review – $134.95

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When you get a nice watch, one of the most important things to do is finding yourself a good watchmaker. You can easily take it back to the brand for a repair (if they offer it), but it will typically cost you a fair amount to get any type of service done. Because of this, independent watchmakers abound. There are many good ones, but there are also a lot of bad ones who will take your watch, spray it down with WD-40 and call it a day. For this reason it is a good idea to do your research and find a watchmaker who has what it takes to do right by your timepiece.

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Total Watch Repair is a stellar watch repair business that’s been located in Los Angeles for nearly 25 years. Many in the watch community trust them with their precious watches including a few who are authorities on the luxury watch industry. But I’m not here to talk about their watch repair capabilities, though they are great, I am here to let you know about the straps that they offer.

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After a few years of constant wear, the strap or bracelet can look less than presentable. To give your watch a fresh look or simply to shake things up a bit, all it takes is a new watch strap. By changing the strap, you can dress up or down your watch, making it a way more versatile piece of your wardrobe without too much cost or effort. Total Watch Repair offers a wide selection of straps as well as the option to change it during a service. They have all of the major watch strap manufacturers along with almost any style you could want. I decided to try and dress up my Omega Seamaster by changing the bracelet out with Hadley Roma Black Alligator leather strap.

Construction

When you purchase a watch band from Total Watch Repair, you can expect to get a quality strap. This gator strap is no exception. Hadley Roma is the standard of watch strap makers. They produce sturdy leather bands that will take a beating and still look good and they do it at attractive prices. The one I received is made from an excellent cut of black Louisiana Alligator leather top and tan calf skin backing and is stitched with black thread. I have several alligator and crocodile straps at varying price points and this one has a similar feel to the best of them.

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There were a few corners cut, such as burnishing of the edges and the thickness of the thread and edge. I definitely think that these are acceptable sacrifices since the leather itself is of excellent quality and the price of the strap itself. If I were to get this specifically for a dress watch, especially a high-end dress watch, I would splurge and get something with a little more refinement, but for the majority of buyers, these small imperfections will not be noticeable nor will they affect the sturdiness of the strap.

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Function

If you are wondering, “why alligator?” the answer is simple. Alligator is quite possible the most comfortable watch strap leather. It takes no time at all to break in and it doesn’t break down like cowhide does after repeatedly bending the tongue back and forth through the buckle. On top of being extremely comfortable, alligator leather can make almost any watch ready to be paired with a suit. It is a naturally dressy leather, especially when it is black.

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Aesthetic

The Hadley Roma band is pretty classy. I wouldn’t feel comfortable wearing this with a t-shirt and pair of jeans because, in my opinion and the opinion of many others in the watch industry, black alligator is strictly a dress material. Even though dress standards have laxed since the Carter administration, this code has stood the test of time. With that said, the black alligator really dresses up the tool watch and makes it ready for my next black-tie event. The scales add a nice texture too.

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Conclusion

Hadley Roma is the best major, all-purpose strap maker out there. Their straps are bargains for the quality and craftsmanship and they tend to hold up quite a long time with typical use. The Hadley Roma Black Alligator Strap is no exception. The leather and materials are quality and feel of wearing alligator is worth the price tag alone. I would definitely recommend anyone who is wanting to spice up their watch and give it a more luxury feel to check out Total Watch Repair’s strap selection. While you are at it, take a look at their services, especially if your watch is in need of a little TLC.

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Total Watch Repair Honey Genuine Alligator Leather Watch Strap Review $249.95

Purchasing a new watch band is a great way to add some renewed interest in an old timepiece. A lot like going into your closet to find an outfit for a special occasion, simply changing bands can add a whole new character to your wrist watch. We’ve reviewed a number of watch bands so we were particularly excited to test out a Banda Honey Genuine Alligator Leather Watch Strap offered by Total Watch Repair.

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About

Established in 1992, Total Watch Repair is a family owned business located in Los Angeles. Members of the American Watchmakers-Clockmakers Institute and the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors, they specialize in watch repair. You can also purchase timepieces at their retail outlet, and with an A+ rating from the BBB, they’re about as legit as any horophile could hope to be.

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CONSTRUCTION

The strap is made from…you guessed it, genuine alligator skin. It’s a matte finish with a honey color. Matching thread keeps the color uniform and a silver plated buckle completes the look. The alligator leather is pretty flexible and shows some interesting scaling, but aside from that looks almost identical to cow’s leather from a distance. It is a really thin leather with an almost synthetic smoothness. The buckle feels a bit cheap and doesn’t exude quality. The watch’s backside indicates it is made by Banda, a global strap manufacturer so I don’t place blame on Total Watch Repair.

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FUNCTION

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The strap does it’s job of keeping the timepiece secure on my wrist. There is one fixed strap keeper and one floating keeper that keep excess strap neatly contained. There is no discomforting pinch from the buckle when moving the wrist, and the notch spacing allowed for a good fit. A watch strap’s main purpose is to keep it on your wrist, and this strap carries this task out like any other.

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AESTHETIC

The strap doesn’t offer the “wow” factor I was expecting. I would have liked to have seen deeper scaling, and perhaps some scarring. Just something that gave testament to the fact that this was made from the hide of one of nature’s most deadliest predators. Aside from the creases, this just looks like a very subdued, cheap leather strap. It’s a formal design, I chose to wear it with my suit and found it could barely pull off the look. Much like the Big Mac at McDonalds, this strap looks better in staged pictures than it does in person.

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CONCLUSION

Here at BestLeather we like to give every product received a fair chance. I personally cannot recommend the Banda Honey Genuine Alligator Leather Watch Strap. Priced at a premium of $249.95, there are such better options out there from skilled crafters. However, Total Watch Repair continues to stand out as an exemplary timepiece service center and offers many other promising bands at very affordable prices.

 

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Leather Head Sports Burgundy Chromexcel 12lb Medicine Ball – $350

We see a lot of great products here at BestLeather. We’re always on the hunt for quality leather goods to showcase, and every once in a awhile we get the opportunity to review something that really stands out. The Leather Head Sports Burgundy Chromexcel 12lb Medicine Ball is one of those products. Read on and find out why.

 

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ABOUT LEATHER HEAD SPORTS

Leather Head Sports was founded by Paul Cunningham, the former Photo Editor for Major League Baseball. After leaving the MLB he gained valuable experience as the senior baseball glove craftsman at a small glove importer. Wanting to break away from creative confines, he founded Leather Head Sports whose signature Lemon Ball Baseballs and Leather Head Footballs have gained a lot of popularity. Heck, one of his footballs can be seen being carried by Bradley Cooper’s character in Silver Linings Playbook! And with everything being handmade in their New Jersey workshop, what’s not to like?

 

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CONSTRUCTION

Leather Head Sports offers medicine balls in several different sizes and color options. They even offer custom weight ranges if you want a graduated set. The model we’re reviewing is the Burgundy Chromexcel 12lb model. As the name implies, it’s constructed of very thick 5oz Horween Chromexcel full grain leather. It’s weighty interior is actually full of shredded leather scraps generated from all the goods they manufacture. The 7 long panels and 2 circular panels are sewn with polyester thread and lock stitched twice for extra strength. Leather Head states the weights can vary slightly, this ball weighed 11lbs 9oz, still very hefty!

 

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FUNCTION

Once you’ve acclimated to the sheer presence of this piece, you’ll see that it is a medicine ball and meant for exercise.  While it looks great on a bookshelf next to a few trophies, its true home is in your hands doing some ab work. Medicine balls might seem like a relic of the past, meant for boxers of a bygone era as a tool to toughen up the core. They still do however offer great resistance options for crunches, lunges, and squats. After a workout, this ball doesn’t stop there. I found it makes an excellent armrest on the couch while watching TV.  Even my 5 month old daughter was intrigued by this strange stuffed animal! Handling the ball is truly a sensory experience. The weight in your hands, the smell of the leather and the shade of deep burgundy all add to the fun of handling the ball.

 

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AESTHETIC

I could extol on the beauty of this piece all day long. All of Leather Head Sport’s products have that wonderful nostalgic vibe and the medicine ball delivers in every capacity. It simply looks amazing from every angle. You can see no corners were cut (Well I’m sure plenty of corners were cut to make it, I was speaking figuratively) in its fabrication. The rawhide lace is tight and the cursive Leather Head branding harkens back to an era of American made prowess seldom experienced from consumer goods. Much like a Swingline 333 or a Braun ET66, the Leather Head 12lb Medicine Ball not only performs well, it does so with brilliant style.

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CONCLUSION

At $350 dollars this might seem like an extravagance for most. However, imagine a man in a workshop. He’s leaning over a table cutting leather, hunched on a stool sewing the seams, expertly lacing everything together. Sometimes you find a product that is worth the splurge, especially when you consider what went into it and the fun you’ll have owning it. Leather Head Sports Burgundy Chromexcel 12lb Medicine Ball is a perfect example of that.

 

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Matoirs Vintage Style Tooled Women’s Bag Review – $197

Here’s a review of a beautiful piece that caught my eye from a designer and leatherworker on etsy from Australia. Melanie Hudson of Matoirs Leather Products has been selling handmade and hand tooled leather bags for about 2 years now but working with leather since she was very young, assisting her father binding leather books. Her etsy shop features vintage style handbags that are hand tooled or hand painted with detail and rich beautiful colors. Continue reading “Matoirs Vintage Style Tooled Women’s Bag Review – $197”

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Somebody Buy This Bag And Save The World

Craigslist ads can be entertaining and this one is excellent.

I have a beautiful Saddleback Leather, Large Classic Briefcase in Chestnut that I am selling. I would be crying over this ad and having to sell this bag except for the fact that I am selling it to buy a different color in the same bag. So no worries for me! This bag is about 12 months old and shows little to no wear. It has a 100 year warranty, that is why the company motto is “They’ll fight over it when your dead!”

00E0E_3TUZKIFcQXR_600x450Brand new this bag costs over $700 with shipping (trust me I know, I just bought the same bag in a different color) but I am only asking $525, yes I know, you’re asking yourself, “why is he being so generous, this bag is totally worth $700.00?” It’s because I have a general love for people and I know how much good leather can affect a persons self-esteem.

Just picture it… You are out there all by yourself trying to change the world and do something significant, but the tools you need along this journey are too great to carry in just any old bag. Average bags crumble at the thought of what you must carry. You buy my bag and are able to carry your much needed, highly valuable resources to change the world and next thing you know you have invented the world’s first TRUE electric car. One that can drive at highway speeds for more than 10 minutes. Oil companies no longer have any need to exist so the free market economy squeezes them out (Adam Smith’s invisible hand) and seagulls the world over thank you. Not to mention that since we don’t need oil anymore most of the turmoil in the Middle East comes to an end and we experience a period of unparalleled peace. Democrats and Republicans who have been fighting over whether to drill in Alaska now have nothing to bicker about so partisan lines slowly start to fade and ten years later we have a single party government that is able to achieve wildly more than any American could desire. All because you bought my bag. Yes, that is why I am being so generous.

Oh, and did I mention that if some tall, dark stranger who works for big oil catches on to your plans to invent the perfect electric car and tracks you in an attempt to steal said plans, that you can convert the briefcase into a ninja backpack and make a swift run for it? I didn’t? Well shame on me, because you can.

You can also strap your plans onto the bottom of the briefcase with the bomb-proof D-rings (just in case big oil starts throwing grenades at you). And I’d bet that you, in your peak physical condition, could probably easily escape “the man”. There is also a secret flap inside the back section that acts as a false bottom for for hiding the schematics of your flux capacitor (which we all know is the secret to a TRUE, fully electric car), so you can rest assured that your average Starbucks troll who decides to go digging through your bag won’t happen upon your plans and and get credit for all your hard work!

Once again, it all hinges on the awesomeness of the Saddleback Leather, Large Classic Briefcase in Chestnut. Let’s face it, not buying this bag is a slippery slope!

If you’re interested in higher self-esteem, changing the world, inventing the world’s best electric car, putting an end to Big Oil, and bringing peace to the Middle East, give me a call. 817-six00-83four9 and ask for Nick

Disclosure- The results stated in this post are not typical and are not guaranteed by Nick or Saddleback Leather. You should always consult a physician before entering into the awesomeness of Saddleback leather.

To buy this bag, call Nick.

http://dallas.craigslist.org/mdf/clo/4618904438.html

 

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Libero Ferrero Money Bag – $264 – Made with Horween’s Essex Leather

Many of us have a cherished item that was handed down from a grandparent that we love to use, or wear, or display.  I have a really cool leather jacket that belonged to my grandpa, and though it is a bit small for my frame nowadays, I’m holding onto it for my son when he’s older.  Sometimes these heirloom items provide inspiration for different aspects of our lives.

LIBERO FERRERO – THE MAN

One such item was carried by Libero Ferrero, commonly called Lee, on his way to and from work everyday.  He carried with him a leather work bag that was passed on to his grandkids, Matt Adam and Pete Lafferty.  That bag inspired more than just a little inspiration for Matt and Pete and led to their creating Libero Ferrero, a leather company based in New York that designs and creates fabulous leather goods.

Libero Ferrero sells a number of fine leather goods, from various types of bags, duffel bags, and card cases to a money bag or tablet sleeve.  BestLeather had the opportunity of reviewing their Money Bag, a throwback to the mid-century’s teller bag, which was used for safety deposits and carrying cash more conveniently.  We did this review in conjunction with an article we published a couple of weeks ago on the Horween Leather Company’s Essex line of leather.  You can read that article here.  Horween specifically recognizes Libero Ferrero on their website as a company that uses the Essex leather in a unique and professional way.

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MATERIAL

The Money Bag is 10.1″ in length and 8.4″ in width.  It is finished in a hickory color, which is basically a beautiful light brown.  Horween’s Essex leather is a straight vegetable tanned leather and is finished with the same processes as their famous shell cordovan leather.  The result is a leather that is supple, durable, and has a terrific finish.

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The Essex that Libero Ferrero uses is approximately three ounces in weight.  On its own this might be a little thin, but Libero combines the leather with their signature Holland and Sherry wool lining.  Holland and Sherry is a 170-year old company that began its story in London as a wool merchants and has since produced some of the finest cloths available.  The use of this wool is an indication of commitment to the finest quality.  The use of Horween Leather is certainly another.

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THE HORWEEN LEATHER COMPANY

Matt and Pete visited Horween’s factory in Chicago during the design phase to ensure that they picked the most appropriate leather for their products. They fell in love with the Essex line of leather, which they use on all of their products.  Horween has been in business for over 100 years, producing some of the finest leathers available.  Many of the goods we review at BestLeather are made from Horween leather, so it is no surprise that you’ll find it in the premium goods that Libero uses.

CONSTRUCTION

The Money Bag is constructed from one piece of leather folded over and connected to another piece of leather by a small strip of Essex.  This connection forms their signature shallow V shape.  The Bag is sewn together using rugged nylon thread and is sewn along the bottom so that just the top and side open.  Libero uses a RIRI zipper, which is a high quality, metal zipper.  The bag opens from the top down the side, giving you ample space to slide in your tablet or cash.

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Libero also included a small pocket made of the same Holland and Sherry wool to stash your headphones or charger.  The pocket is sewn into the inner back of the bag and is approximately 2.5″ by 4″, just big enough for a number of goodies.

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The combination of the supple Essex leather, and the Holland and Sherry wool provides a perfect complement to not just your cash, but to your IPad or other tablet as well.  The wool is soft and will keep your IPad well protected.  The combination of the wool and leather also provides a little bit of padding, which is nice when carrying a $500 tablet.

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BESTLEATHER CONCLUSION

It is hard to go wrong with a product when you perfectly marry fine materials into a functional good.  The Money Bag from Libero Ferrero is a perfect example of just such a union.  It is expertly crafted in the United States by a company committed to producing unique, premium goods and the result is a bag that has more than one use and is beautiful.  The use of the Essex leather from Horween will ensure years of use and will be a product that may provide inspiration for some of your future posterity.

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Colsen Keane No 213 Tech Case – $145.00

Colsen Keane Tech Case

There are four leather smiths at Colsen Keane Custom Leather Goods. They make leather products to order. They take pride in paying attention to detail and taking the time to get it right. On their website, they have written, “Time leaves its mark on us… We believe that your personal time-mark is art.”

When I first saw the No 213 Tech Case by Colsen Keane, I thought it looked pretty handy. It is designed to handle all or most of your computer tech gear. We tested it and found it holds the Mac computer charger and extension cord, the iPhone charger and cord and ear pods, and a splitter to boot. This is good news for Mac users, but I’ve seen some PC chargers that would make this bag choke.

Colsen Keane Tech Case

The case measures roughly 5 1/2 inches wide by 5 1/2 inches high, and it is 3 inches deep. You might want to measure all your stuff and see if it fits. If you have a large charger, you might want to consider keeping it in your backpack, briefcase or satchel–or you might want to consider getting a Mac.

CONSTRUCTION

The leather used to make the 213 Tech Case is 5 to 6 ounces of Chocolate Crazy Horse hide. Besides Crazy Horse, which is a twenty dollar option, the Tech Case is also available in Natural Tan and Deep Black. The grade is Tannery Run (TR). When a tannery first culls the best and the worst from the lot, Tannery Run is what is left. This means the Tech Case is made from good leather–not the best, but it doesn’t need to be.

When you see leather that looks like a three-part lamination, this is because the dye did not go all the way through, which is the situation with the Crazy Horse leather. The process to get the color all the way through is costly, both in time and money, and is reserved for the more expensive leathers. This does not affect the quality, and you will never wear through to the un-dyed grain unless you drag it behind your truck for a couple miles.

Colsen Keane Tech Case

The Tech Case is hand stitched together using a 4 ounce waxed thread. This is heavy; I don’t think it will come apart or wear through unless you use a sharp knife or attack the case with an axe.

There is no hardware on the Colsen Keane Tech Case. The lid is long and tucks behind a strap across the front of the case. It seems appropriate to blend a utilitarian function into a utility case. The case wasn’t designed for or with bling; this simplicity of style is what accounts for its beauty.

FUNCTION

In the past, it was often necessary to pull my backpack apart to get to the cords I needed. This was because the backpack pockets for the tech gear did not expand, but would contour to the backpack and I could not see what I had inside–especially if I was looking for something small. This was time-consuming and irritating but, for all I knew, it was part of life and I accepted it. The Colsen Keane Tech Case has a wide throat. So now, my backpack stays orderly while needed cords and gear are always close at hand.

What also was frustrating with the backpack was the difficulty to get the pockets zipped once I had all the tech gear loaded. So, I was forced to leave them unzipped; sometimes small gear would fall out, such as the plugin module for the iPhone charger. How many times did I have to buy a new one? This is no longer a problem with the Tech Case. Even with the case full of gear, the lid is easy to close and reopen, if I need to grab something quickly.

Colsen Keane Tech Case
The daily use for me is a MacBook Pro computer charger, remote Mouse, a custom PCMCIA card adapter and cord for a small CNC machine, iPhone to Mac cord, and ear pods. The most used tools are now conveniently accessible.

Colsen Keane Tech Case on DeskThe case seems to become more relaxed with each day’s use. As a bonus, it does not fall over, as I expected, but stands upright on the desk, even with the lid open and folded back, as if waiting for me to reach in for another cord.

BEST LEATHER CONCLUSION

You have probably heard the popular phrase, “Time is Money.” Well, the new meme is “Time is Art.” The Colsen Keane No 213 Tech Case is well constructed with simplicity in the design. It is useful for organizing tech gear, but it looks and feels more elegant than a mere utility bag. The product is good and this writer has found the bag useful and attractive. The Crazy Horse is a good looking upgrade and well worth the extra twenty bucks. You can say the Tech Case is a work of art.
Colsen Keane Tech Case

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Avund Goods Men’s Marine Shackle Review – $25

Avund Goods is a purveyor of high quality leather goods with a tradition in British and Scandinavian design and art.  The quality of their goods is a manifestation of this background and tradition.  Avund goes through a rigorous process of testing and reviewing their products before they go into production.  This process ensures a product that is not only useful, but beautiful.

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I received the Men’s Marine Shackle from Mika Becktor of Avund Goods, as a bonus to a review we were doing on their Forsta V wallet.  Though the Shackle was unexpected, it was appreciated and admired.

the leather

The Shackle is made of natural color, vegetable tanned leather.  This is the type of leather that ages beautifully over time.  The leather actually patinas to a slightly darker hue with use and over time.  The leather is approximately four to five ounces in weight.  As is fairly common with vegetable tanned leather, the bracelet is fairly stout and not at all flimsy.

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the edges

Like all of Avund Good products, the edges of the shackle receive attention.  In this case, the edges are beveled, and then the fine point of the edge is burnished with beeswax to a crisp finish.  This treatment gives the bracelet a clean, crisp look.  This attention is impressive, even for something as simple as a bracelet.  It shows a devotion to making the very best product possible.

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manliness

The hardware for this shackle makes it really pop and is very man-worthy.  As one that does not normally wear a bracelet-like item, the industrial nature of the hardware makes it work for me.  The unique U-shaped loop and the screw in pin finish the bracelet into a truly manly article worthy of showcasing. Riveting the leather loops on both ends of the bracelet ensures this bracelet will stand the test of time as well.

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BestLeather conclusion

If you are looking for an accessory to demonstrate your manliness, and to prove your intelligence of fine leather, the Men’s Marine Shackle from Avund Goods is a smart choice.

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We Are Updating The Leather Company Directory, Update Your Listing

Leather Company Directory Update.

Here’s how to get your company listed in the new directory in 2 minutes.

Hello! BestLeather.org is going to have a new Leather Company Directory soon and we would like your company in it with updated information to help our readers choose a company to buy from. This month 2,200 people visited the directory.

This update will enhance abilities for customers to sort and search for the right company instead of browsing through companies till they find the right one.

Merry Christmas!

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An Ode To Quality

Bag-ProductionWhy are we so easily satisfied with effortless work?

Buying products with fragile quirks Like rockets built by knee jerks

Foolishly profit berserk

Is cheapness cheap?

Only shortly will it keep before finding the trash heap

Building mountains not for mountain sheep

Where is the benefit?

Profit is squandered in quick pursuit of profit

You don’t have to be a prophet to see

Count the cost!

Quickly both profit and product are lost

When details are ignored

like replacement cost

Buy well, my friends

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Etsy Store Feature: Heirloom Leather

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Paul & his lovely wife.

Heirloom Leather is a one man Etsy store I have followed for a year now primarily because of the exquisite usage of vegetable tanned leather and tasteful industrial design stitching. His sense of leather fashion is among the best in the business, in my opinion. And as far as I can tell, quality is a primary focus. I have not had the pleasure of reviewing a product from Heirloom leather but one can tell quite a bit from the photos what a artisan Paul is.

Because leatherworking is such a personal expression I asked Paul about his background and what lead to crafting such beautiful products. Below is Paul’s articulate reply.

After building homes for over 10 years, I came to the conclusion my profession had vanished right before my very eyes.

Trapped in a 59 year old body possessing a 39 year old college degree, my prospects of competing with “young bucks” having newly acquired graduate and post graduate degrees seemed dismal at best (in the professional world). So I began to contemplate how “to reinvent myself”. Thus my journey to find a new occupation; hopefully one I would enjoy and one that could provide a living wage. So the more I contemplated my dilemma, I thought to myself “what if I could make a living doing something I love?”. What skill do I possess that I enjoy? Having developed an interest in working with leather many years ago and I just couldn’t stop thinking about how much I loved that hobby and what if I could produce something that was desirable by the general population. So began my experimentation.

The question was: “Is the craftsman/artisan dead in America today and if so can it be revived? The days of working with one’s hands seems like a faint memory of a history lesson sometime back; which begs the question: “Do people still do that sort of thing?” and “Is a product like this marketable through the internet?” I wondered if the idea of being able to own something that was created or reborn from the hands of a true craftsman had a magnetism that was infectious enough to induce people to buy.

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So in July 2011, after much encouragement from my wife and friends, I decided to put a few of my accessories on Etsy, while working a full time job in a totally different industry. Then after several months of one or two orders here and there a surge in sales came in the Christmas season of 2011. My orders started to increased with each passing month. Then after about a year, my once part time hobby, blossomed into a full time career.

The feeling of knowing you were, personally, responsible for a work of art that is wearable and usable is truly rewarding.

I hope I am able to offer something that will not only be a treasure and an heirloom, but something that has usefulness and utility while possibly enhancing your professional image.

“God made leather clothing for Adam and his wife and dressed them”

Gen.3:21 ~MSG~

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BL: Tell us about your operation and your purpose in leather working.

I am a one person shop operating in a smoke free environment. I create an artwork that I take pride in. My desire is that it will compel you to want to wear it and enjoy its functionality. I welcome your questions and comments.

The products I create in my shop are called “heirloom” because they should last you a lifetime and most likely will be passed on to other generations. The materials I use are genuine leather. These accessories are made from cowhide, and other fine leathers. Each personalized piece is individually dyed and each stitch is done by hand with a waxed braided cord. Every piece is different in some way; whether its from the grain in the leather or from the way it takes the dye.

The grain on the accessory is, in fact, the grain which occurs naturally. Our leather is not pressed into a mold. Thus, in some sense all other leather grain patterns are artificial. Heirloom Leather is 100% natural and therefore will sport unique and original markings. Even though we choose the best skins, there will be markings on the piece that may represent a brief encounter with a barbed wire fence etc..Please note that this is in a sense proof of its authenticity and uniqueness; not a defect. Thus one aspect of Heirloom Leather accessories that is essentially unique, is its choice of all natural grain leather.

Thank you for putting hard work into your craft, Paul. You are an inspiration to myself and others to be excellent craftsmen.

You can follow the new products that Paul releases on www.heirloomleather.blogspot.com since Etsy does not provide a way to keep up with new products from favorited stores.

Check out the Heirloom Leather Etsy store here.

Heirloom Leather products

Editors note: Etsy features are highlights of carefully selected stores that illustrate high levels of attention to quality and detail. The aim of these articles is to promote the excellent work of the true artisans on Etsy, as opposed to the mass of cheaply made goods easily available. To submit your store, email [email protected].

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A Conversation With Philip from Basader

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It’s been really fun to watch Basader get more traction as a relative newcomer in the hyper-competitive durable leather goods market. They are doing it with a combination of stylistic innovation, commitment to durability, and extremely competitive pricing.

the Basader philosophy

Basader (Derived from Bas Jan Ader, a famous artist) is heavily driven by a mission to create lasting pieces and promote timeless design principles.  All of their work is produced in our small studio located in Williamsburg, Brooklyn—where they laboriously hand-dye, cut, and assemble the pieces.  Through experimenting with new techniques, materials, and finishes, they are continually trying to improve to offer truly “lifetime” products.

As two designers working within the fashion district in NYC, Elin (at the time, a Fashion Designer at Ralph Lauren) and Philip (a Web Designer and Ecommerce Manager), were increasingly disheartened by the disposable fashion culture.  Thinking that it must be possible to create a brand focused on high-quality goods and timeless designs, Basader was born as a side project that grew beyond their greatest expectations.

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Philip and his beautiful wife, Elin.

BL: Can you tell that story about the first bag you bought that ended up disappointing you?

Philip: Before I even met Elin, I was the typical bag consumer within the men’s category—looking for quality in all the wrong places.  And while I wouldn’t flinch at saving my “nickels and dimes” to purchase a nice suit, I just assumed a leather bag was a leather bag—regardless of price.   My first leather purchase (what I thought was an artisan quality bag), was made on eBay maybe six or seven years ago.  So the story goes, it was listed by a very active eBay seller, who was supposedly having the bags custom made in a small town in India, and in the process “supporting a local community”.  Buying into a heartwarming story, and admittedly, being quite thrifty, this was a win-win situation.  I would receive a handmade bag while inadvertently supporting a small village located across the globe!

If I knew then what I know now, the bag was very likely made in a sweatshop in China–and this is a very common story across many, if not all marketplaces.  The bag arrived weeks later, it smelled so bad, I was too embarrassed to bring it anywhere, and lasted a month before the rivets were shimmied loose during light use—disappointing to say the least (and worse, probably harmful to whatever “local” community I thought I was supporting).  With so many high-quality bag companies, had I just spent a bit more, I could have ended up with a bag that would have been passed down generations.  A disheartening and wasteful story, this has influenced our work greatly.

The beginning.
The beginning.
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Space fills up quick!

BL: How does your experience in fashion translate to Basader?

Philip: As a fashion designer, Elin brings a very unique perspective to our work, and together, we both have a sincere admiration for contemporary minimal design.  From fashion designers like Heider Ackerman to companies like Shinola, we are admittedly driven and influenced by fashion extremes: deconstructivist contemporary designers; and small-town, American made companies–even Allen Edmund is a company of great revere.

Simply put, our aesthetic is driven by a love of fashion and art, and somehow, we stumbled upon  a niche that lives at the intersection of rustic American styling and the refined English approach.  At the most basic level, we admire leather companies like Shinola and Allen Edmund, that, against all odds, make some amazing work within the US—and both companies have found a way to create social enterprises, that feed back into the local community.

BL: Personally, what is your favorite high quality leather item?

Philip: For us, it’s any hand-dyed leather good with a raw underside.  We love a refined lustrous surface coupled with a raw underside—probably, we respect this look so much knowing how difficult it is to achieve.

But more, we love anything new.

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BL: Why did you pick the Herman Oak Leather?

Philip: While we love Herman Oak, we also use a lot of other American suppliers as well.  And we do this because there are so many American-based companies that put a lot of love into what they do.  Further, as major retailers inadvertently outsource to other countries, and suffocate American leather houses, we truly believe a renaissance is on the horizon (and we’re very grateful to be even a small part of this!).

A majority of bags in the marketplace are made in questionable working conditions—from mass-market “high-end” chrome-tanned bags to full-grain “looking” offerings, there are but a few American companies left.

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BL: Finally, what is the most interesting thing you have learned about working with leather?

Philip: For us, leather is truly a fascinating material.  We’ve experimented with various organic substitutes, from cork bark to tree-tap leather, but at the end of the day, there is no naturally derived material as durable and as timeless leather.  And for such an omnipotent material, it’s amazing to think that so many people will never know what a real full-grain bag feels like.

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Keep an eye on this upstart company. I suspect we will see more excellent goods coming our way. Perhaps like this…

Check them out.

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All About Shell Cordovan – An Interview With Horween Leather Co.

Screen Shot 2013-06-03 at 6.26.29 PMShell Cordovan can be a mystery. It is fabulously expensive, relatively rare, and looks a lot like normal full grain leather. The question on many minds is “Is it worth it?” It’s a fair question worth some research. You get what you pay for, but what are you getting with shell cordovan products that makes them worth the extra scrilla? Continue reading “All About Shell Cordovan – An Interview With Horween Leather Co.”