Leather library - 1/3 Leather

Leather Libiary

We say “Leather is a language”, speaking leather means not only understanding the terminology but also, most improtantly, appreciating its rich culture.

Along with my leather adventure, I keep on discovering new leathers. For those I have pleasure to work with, I note them down in this library.

Horween CXL

At first encounter, I was drawn to its rich oily scent and touch, it feels almost edible. CXL offers various color options, each carries a slightly different aroma, but in harmony, like colors in a same palette.

I’am using it in many projects because it is enjoyable to work with. It’s also durable, quite water-proof (as an un-coated leather) and ages beautifully.

Buttero

“No, it is called [bùt·te·ro].” I was corrected by an Italien lady in a leathe conference. If I was not sleeping during my Italien class, I shall know it is not supposed to be pronounced as “Butter roll”.

In fact this leather has nothing to do with butter, it is veg tanned, feels firm, smells crisp and natural. It offers a lot of color options, some are very vivid. Products made with it looks refined.

Argentina SDS

It comes with imperfections and possibilities.

As a natural veg tanned leather with barely any supplementary processing, I can guess what the animal lived thru by looking at the scars (tougher life compared to cows living in Europe, it seems).

The advantage is that I can dye it, mold it, carve it, stuff it, burnish it in different ways. The price point for me to have it is also a half of other leathers in this library, in general.

Pueblo

Pueble smells like Buttero, rich, sweet, and woody, but more oily. It also feels more oily when touched.

Anything made of Peublo just stands out easily at first glance, because its special surface texture makes it look almost like suede. This signature look gives pueblo its uniqueness as a full grain leather.

But the charm of Pueblo doesn’t end here, it lives in a different timeline as ours. It grows patina so dramatically that, from day 1 to day 180, it never looks the same way two days in a row…

Minerva Box

MBOX comes with a rugged surface. Unlike embossed grain, this is the amplified natural grain character by the milling/tumbling process. MBOX is also somehow self-repairing thanks to the flexibility given by the wrinkled surface. Perfect pick for those who are afraid of leaving mark on their leather products.

I don’t know why but this Leather makes me think of a saying: “The tree that does not bend breaks in the storm.”

Hand Crafting with fine leathers is akin to taking up a lost fragment an aristocratic history.

It is a rejection of modern shortcuts in favor of slow, imperfect perfection.

– The Founder of 1/3 Leather

The trees that are slow to grow bear the best fruit.

– Molière