OUR MATERIALS
See who we choose to work with
J & FJ Baker & Co – The Last Oak Bark Tannery in Europe
J & FJ Baker produces the world's most exclusive oak bark tanned leather, a process dating back to Roman times. This 14-month tanning method preserves the hide’s natural fibers using only:
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Water from the tannery’s own stream
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Oak bark from coppiced trees in the Lake District & Wales
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The finest local Devon cowhides
The tan pits are gently agitated by an ancient waterwheel, and each Bridle Butt is hand-finished with natural fats and oils for protection. To maintain the leather, use a horsehair brush to buff any surfaced tallow.
J & FJ Baker & Co
Pelle Vegetale – The Finest Italian Vegetable-Tanned Leather
We are proud to source leather from the Pelle Al Vegetale Consortium, a group of elite Italian tanneries dedicated to preserving the centuries-old art of vegetable tanning. Their leather is among the finest in the world, combining sustainability, durability, and a luxurious, natural patina that only improves with age.
Why Pelle Vegetale Leather is Exceptional
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Heritage & Craftsmanship – The Tuscan tanneries within the consortium use traditional methods passed down for generations, ensuring unparalleled quality.
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Natural Tanning Process – Using only tannins from chestnut, mimosa, and quebracho trees, the leather is tanned slowly, preserving its strength, depth, and character.
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Eco-Friendly & Sustainable – Free from harmful chemicals and plastics, this leather is biodegradable, non-toxic, and tanned with respect for the environment.
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Aging Beautifully – Unlike synthetic or chrome-tanned leather, Pelle Vegetale leather develops a rich patina, telling the story of its journey over time.
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Soft Yet Strong – The tanning process enhances the leather’s durability while maintaining a supple feel, making it perfect for heirloom-quality goods.
Pelle Vegetale leather is a true testament to slow, sustainable luxury—crafted with nature, perfected by time, and built to last a lifetime.
Pelle Al Vegetale Consortium
The Abbey England Foundry – Masters of
Sand-Cast Brass
Our buckles are sand-cast using a specialist, labour-intensive greensand casting technique, producing hardware built to last a lifetime—if not more.
The Abbey England Foundry in Walsall, which proudly holds a Royal Warrant, is renowned for crafting the highest-quality buckles, supporting small businesses like ours while also supplying multinational brands worldwide.
The Sand Casting Process
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Moulding – A pattern is set into a two-part sand mould, carefully packed and compacted by hand.
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Casting – The mould is strapped together, and molten brass, heated in an oil-fired furnace, is skillfully poured by a team of two.
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Cooling & Extraction – Once cooled, the sand is removed, revealing the rough-cast buckle.
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Finishing – Each buckle is individually filed, sanded, barrelled, and polished in small batches to meet Abbey’s exacting standards.
This meticulous craftsmanship ensures our buckles not only match the durability of our leather but also stand the test of time.
Heritage, sustainability, and craftsmanship—built to last a lifetime.
