Discover the timeless story of the classic leather belt — from its origins as a practical ‘girdle’ worn for centuries to today’s handcrafted oak bark tanned leather belts for men and women. Explore how traditional British saddlery techniques, like saddle stitching and bridle butt leather, create elegant, durable belts that age beautifully and honour our rich leathercraft heritage.

In 2023, I was awarded a bursary from the South West England FibreShed to expand my knowledge of how an animal hide transforms into leather. This opportunity allowed me to delve deeply into the science behind leather tanning, enriching my craft and enabling me to offer new services to my local community. This post will walk you through my journey and discoveries in the fascinating world of leather tanning.