General Construction Features for Custom Leather Garments including Vests, Jackets and Chaps Leather: We use only full-grain leather, no split or corrected grain. Even leather linings are full-grain leather. We use cowhide exclusively, with the exception of exotics such as snakeskin when requested or brought to us in finished, tanned form. For flame vests and purses where the flames are colours other than black and red, lambskin is used because all colours are not available in cowhide. Some thicker (4-5 ounce) stiffer leathers are horse skin. Lining: For men's vests, 100% cotton denim is used. For ladies vests, a lighter-weight cotton-polyester blend is used. Both of the above linings are far more durable than synthetics such as 100% polyester or acetate. For jackets, the main fixed body is denim but the sleeves are a slipperier material to enable the arm to slide in easily. Removable jacket linings are made of black fleece unless another material such as quilting is brought to us. Leather linings are of full-grain leather. Hardware: Snaps have leather washers on the lining side to prevent lining from fraying over time. Grommets have metal washers to help prevent grommets from pulling through the leather under strain. All hardware on chaps, vests and jackets is solid-brass, nickel plated to prevent rusting. We do not use aluminum because it is too soft and doesn't last as long as brass. General: 100% Nylon thread is used instead of cotton to prevent thread from rotting and fraying. Our chaps have a belt of actual 5+ ounce belt leather rather than 2-4 ounce garment  leather folded over because we have found our belts hold the chaps up better than a soft, slippery belt.

Home