Spooner & Watts

Looks best after a few scratches and scuffs, will outlast most leathers in endurance and looks. Traditionally used for saddle and bridle making, it’s full of conditioning oils and very strong. Keep it hydrated with a condition or wax every few months, especially if you’re not using it.

A similar leather to Bridle but much softer and lighter in look. It has a more open grain which makes the surface more liable to change in tone and texture. Tanned in a multitude of subtle and vibrant colours.

An open leather that will absorb light and change colour very easily, waxing will darken the leather permanently but lightly conditioning will protect and keep the delicate colour.

A coated leather with a high shine, waterproof, though not as hardy as it looks, it will not take kindly to heavy scratches. The more expensive patents are calf leathers polished to give the reflective shine but as such are not waterproof.

Typically used as a lining leather this is the underside cut of a hide and can be calf, pig or goat. It is not as durable as the top of the hide but if backed will last. Occasional brushing and Scotchguarding will help revive it.

A fine papery open leather traditionally used as shoe lining, it is structurally strong but has a stretch and is highly absorbent, lightly coating in conditioner will limit this but give it further stretch.

Extremely fine, soft sheep hide, traditionally used for glove making as it stretches and moulds around the hand, it is structurally strong with a lot of ‘give’. Treat more like a suede then a finished leather and Scotchguard occasionally to protect and maintain as it is prone to colour instability, only condition if it becomes very dry.

Coming in various sizes and types of leathers the quality is very variable too, the thicker the weave and the better quality the leather the longer it will last, a bridle leather is best for strength.

Very malleable large hides, predominantly for upholstering furniture but can be used for other applications. It is stretched to achieve the size and maintains an elasticity so that it may be wrapped around objects. Noticeable for the nap (fluffy texture) on the back of the hide.

A rigid firm leather that ages well, instead of gaining shine through wear it becomes relaxed and supple and the surface becomes waxy and matt.

A very durable skin that will last a century or more if cared for and conditioned. Versatile with suppleness and ‘give’ that lends its use to many applications. Also very long, an average skin measures 3.5 metres.

Tough and resilient, all it needs is a wipe down with a dry lint free cloth (one that won’t fluff) and the occasional very light wax and buff.