Selecting high quality leathers for use in construction of our Boots
Field & Moor Leather
In order, to provide high quality, long lasting Boots we have been involved in the process of sourcing leathers using guidance from both the factory owner and leather merchants in our selections for products. The Leather skins are selected both in terms of their touch and feel to gauge their suppleness, resistance as well as their appearance.
We source from tanneries close to the family factory in which the Boots are made, this is because the relationships are strong and helps with sustainability by reducing our carbon footprint. The tanneries source their skins from the bi product of the meat industry, and its cattle that provide all our skins to make our beautiful boots.
We use full grain leather, which is sourced from the hide’s top layer, given the end user is seeking long lasting and durable boots we seek skins that are over 2 mm thick. The importance of a good quality skin that provides the leather cannot be underestimated, each of which is meticulously inspected.
As part of the work done in the tannery, the animal hair is removed from the top surface of the hide. Any additional fat and flesh is removed from the hides inner.
The reason for tanning is to preserve the fibres of the leather, colouration and oils will be added to enhance the hide. Tanning changes the protein structure of the hide to make it stronger and more durable.
As every single skin is natural, even after the tanning process no 2 hides are 100% identical. it will rely on the skill of the Boot makers to use the hide effectively to produce matching boots.
Our Country grain is achieved by embossing the calf leathers to create the grain effect, which might be known to you as scotch grain or pebble grain. This leather lends itself to our country collection of boots due to its resilience and softness.
We use suede on the collars of our Golden Eagle style, and a few of our samples. It is the underside of the leather hide and has a very soft and textured feel, often referred to as the nap. A good quality full grain suede can be just as hard wearing as calf leather even thoughts its soft and adaptable in the boot’s construction.
One of the first stages in the construction of our Boots is using the skills of the cutter, to avoid any flaws in the skin when cutting the pattern pieces. The real skill is by using eye and touch to fashion the leather, use of natural light is preferred and the cutting section tends to be in the best natural light parts of the factory.