Our Leather

PFenning Leather uses full grain leather, the highest grade of all types of leather. It is the top layer of the hide, in its full thickness, and is not sanded or buffed to remove natural marks or imperfections. The full thickness of the hide is more difficult to work with requiring the skill of a true leathersmith. All the grain remains in full grain leather, which allows fiber strength, durability, and breathability. Rather than wearing out, the natural surface of full grain leather develops a beautiful patina over time.

All of the leather we source is hand selected from specific suppliers dealing in the best of natural hides. Many hides we actually get to see and touch in person before they are purchased. This allows us the rare ability to hand select and continually offer very limited one-of-a-kind creations.

Every design we produce begins with a vision and a leather hide. We touch the leather, examine it for unique markings, feel how it drapes in our hands. Whether the leather good we are producing is relaxed or structured we begin to make selections from our inventory. Our current collections are constructed using the following types of leather:

Cowhide that goes through the chrome-tanning process twice where the hide is packed with oil and wax giving it its distinctive hand feel. These hides can also be stretched to give a smoother grain appearance if required. The process also softens the leather, making it more pliable and supple than it started out as.

The bison/buffalo hide is normally tanned using organic materials vs. the chrome used to tan cowhide. These hides are not stretched to preserve the unique grain patterning of the bison. Bison/buffalo leather grain is more distinct than cow leather grain, therefore, artisans and manufacturers go to great lengths to protect its appearance in the leather.

This cowhide is the same as oil-tanned cowhide, however, the leather is processed longer and tumbled to make it softer and more flexible.

Deer hide is soft and pliable, providing relaxed structure. To best describe New Zealand Deer would be its buttery feel. It has a small grain texture that is very subtle, not found in many other types of hides.

Ostrich is the exotic leather of the ostrich bird known for its signature quill pocks. Its unique properties make it highly sought after for handbags, footwear and billfolds. The tanning process is intricate and great care is taken to produce a high grade hide, free of scar tissue and discoloration. A buyer can expect to pay quite a bit more for something made from the ostrich hide due to availability, geographical location (Africa), and the craftsmanship necessary in the tanning process.

Cowhide tanned without removing the hair from the hide.