Why Our Leather Matters
At Strong Horse Leather, the materials matter as much as the hands that shape them. That’s why we work with three of America’s oldest and most respected tanneries -Hermann Oak, Wickett & Craig, and Horween. Each has spent over a century mastering their craft, earning a reputation built on discipline, consistency, and pride.
Hermann Oak – Since 1881
Hermann Oak still relies on the slow, traditional vegetable tanning process that takes months to finish. Their hides come out strong, dense, and honest—leather meant to last and age with character.
Wickett & Craig – Since 1867
Wickett & Craig remains one of the last true vegetable tanneries in the country. Every side is hand-finished with care by craftsmen who refuse to trade skill for speed. The result is leather with real depth and soul - proof that quality never goes out of style.
As Churchill said, “Tradition is not the worship of ashes, but the preservation of fire.”
That fire—of doing things the right way, not the easy way—is what keeps our craft alive.
Horween – Since 1905
Some things are worth paying for because they’re built to last - maybe even longer than you.
Horween has been doing the work in Chicago for over five generations, producing leathers like Chromexcel, Shell Cordovan, and the hides used in every NFL football. Their process is steady, exact, and built on a respect for tradition few can match.
That commitment - to preserving the same level of quality generation after generation—is why we trust their leather to carry the Strong Horse name.
What This Means for You
When you wear a Strong Horse belt, you’re not just strapping on leather - you’re carrying the story of America’s finest tanneries, of families and craftsmen who refused to trade
permanence for profit. Cheap buckles break. Plastic cracks. But leather endures.
The Strong Horse Way
No shortcuts. No gimmicks. Just heritage leather, solid brass, and the promise that what we make today will still matter tomorrow.
Lastly,
Strong Horse Leather is always searching for the best hides - leather from tanneries that have truly mastered their craft. The kind of places where patience, precision, and pride still matter. Because in the end, the leather itself has to live up to the work that follows. If the material falls short, so does everything built from it.
That’s why we’re particular about where our hides come from. Quality starts long before the first cut is made.