MATERIALS
LEATHER HAS MEMORY. IT HOLDS THE MARK OF EVERY HOUR WORN AND EVERY YEAR STORED. WE CHOOSE IT AT THE SOURCE, BY HAND, AND WE WALK AWAY FROM WHAT DOES NOT MEET THE MARK.
WE USE ONLY LEATHER THAT EXCEEDS THE LEATHER WORKING GROUP STANDARD, THE LEADING INTERNATIONAL STANDARD FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE AND TRACEABILITY IN LEATHER. EVERY CERTIFICATION IS FORMAL AND OPEN TO ANYONE WHO WANTS TO CHECK IT.
OUR TANNERIES ARE AMONG THE FINEST IN THE WORLD. C.F. STEAD IN LEEDS, LEATHER WORKING GROUP CERTIFIED SINCE 2007 AND AUDITED EVERY EIGHTEEN MONTHS. LA BIESSEUNO IN ITALY, CERTIFIED TO ISO 14001 AND THE LEATHER WORKING GROUP. HORWEEN, TANNED SLOWLY IN CHICAGO SINCE 1905 AND SUPPLIED TO US IN THE UK THROUGH A AND A CRACK IN NORTHAMPTON, OUR TANNERY SUPPLY PARTNER.
WE WORK IN DEER, COW, CALF, LAMB AND GOAT. WE NEVER USE PIGSKIN. THAT IS A CHOICE OF QUALITY AND A CHOICE OF RESPECT, SO 1812 CAN BE WORN BY THOSE WHOSE BELIEFS DO NOT PERMIT PIGSKIN.
EVERY HIDE IS A BYPRODUCT OF THE MEAT INDUSTRY OR OF CONSERVATION. NO ANIMAL IS RAISED OR KILLED FOR ITS SKIN. THE HIDE WOULD OTHERWISE BE WASTE. TO TAKE IT, WORK IT BY HAND AND MAKE IT LAST IS THE HONEST USE OF WHAT IS ALREADY THERE.
BEYOND THE FORMAL STANDARDS WE HOLD OUR OWN BAR. WE CALL IT MASTER GRADE. IT IS OUR INTERNAL STANDARD FOR LEATHER GOOD ENOUGH TO CARRY A MADE IN ENGLAND SNEAKER. WE TAKE ONLY WHAT MEETS IT AND WE LEAVE THE REST.
EACH MATERIAL IS CHOSEN FOR WHAT IT BECOMES, NOT WHAT IT IS. IT TAKES ON SCARS, CREASES AND PATINA AND BECOMES YOURS. WHEN THE SOLE HAS DONE ITS MILES WE RESOLE IT. THE PAIR GOES ON.
NOTHING IS ARBITRARY. EVERYTHING IS EARNED.
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LEATHER TANNERIES
TANNERIES ARE SELECTED FOR THEIR COMMITMENT TO ECOLOGICAL RESPONSIBILITY.
LEATHERS UNDERGO SLOW, METICULOUS VEGETABLE TANNING; A PROCESS THAT USES NATURAL DYES AND FINISHES, PRODUCING EXCEPTIONAL CHARACTER WHILE MINIMISING ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT.
SENSORY EXPERIENCE
SENSATION EXTENDS BEYOND FUNCTION.
THE FINEST MATERIALS CHOOSEN HAVE PRECISE QUALITIES THAT ALIGN WITH THE DEMANDS OF OUR DESIGNS.
ALL MATERIALS FROM THE RUBBER SOLE TO THE WAXED COTTON LACES ARE SPECIFICALLY CHOSEN TO ENGAGE THE SENSES, OPERATING THROUGH TOUCH, BALANCE, AND THE NATURAL RHYTHM OF MOVEMENT.
REVOLUTIONARY RUBBER
THE MEETING OF TWO WORLDS
DEER LEATHER
MATERIAL CARE GUIDE
WHETHER YOUR SHOES ARE CRAFTED FROM BUTTERY SOFT DEER SKIN OR THE VELVETY SURFACE OF NUBUCK THE RIGHT CARE ENSURES THEY REMAIN A PART OF YOUR WARDROBE FOR YEARS TO COME.
