OUR LEATHER
Leather is a very old and traditional material that has been used for generations to keep belongings safe, store food or stay dry and warm. It is a natural material which, when treated correctly, lasts a long time and improves in appearance over time.
Spikes & Sparrow uses only leather made from skins that are a by-product of slaughter. This means that the cows and buffaloes that provide us with their skins are slaughtered for their meat, not for their skins. We refuse to use skins from protected or rare animals.
Because we only use naked leather (meaning no artificial protective layer has been applied over it) that has been finished with waxes and/or oils, the appearance of our bags will change over time as the waxes migrate over the skin. This means that what you see is the real texture of the skin with all its imperfections. And that no one piece is exactly the same as another.
Due to the lack of a seal at the top of the leather, our bags are not protected from the rain; prolonged or strong immersion in water can result in permanent stains on your bag. This is inherent in the product and makes it even more individual and yours.
It also means that our bags may rub off a bit of colour when they’re new, just like a new pair of jeans. This colour transfer will stop once all the washes or oils have fully sealed the leather. So, be careful when wearing your bag at first and avoid wearing it over very light-coloured clothing.
Our different types of leather:
Apache:
Apache leather is a very supple, thick, relatively light and soft leather made from cow skins. Because of its softness, any bag made from this leather falls smoothly around your body. Although the leather is soft, it is thick and sturdy, making it able to withstand heavy use. The bags are first made in a uniform neutral and light colour. Only after they are finished, the leather is finished on the outside with a mix of dyes and wax. This not only gives them all a warm vintage look but also ensures that, because this is done by hand, each bag is completely unique.
Suede:
Suede is made from the inside of the hide and has a matt and hairy appearance. Because this part of the hide is softer, the leather is very supple. Suede adds a touch of elegance and sophistication to any product, but because Suede is an open leather without a finish, it is a bit more sensitive to dirt and moisture. When Suede gets wet, it can shed a little. It is therefore important to protect and maintain suede with a special spray against stains and dirt. If stains do occur, a special pad is available to erase them.
MAINTENANCE
As our leather is ‘naked’ (also known as unfinished), the hide is porous and absorbs both the waxes and oils applied to it in an uneven manner. This creates the distinctive look of our leather.
However, the skin can also absorb water. This means that most stains in our leather are not on the surface, where cleaning will not be an effective solution. Rather, the stain is inside the leather, permanently changing its colour. So whatever cleaner you use, don't expect miracles. The best cleaning strategy for our leather is to wipe it regularly with a slightly dampened cotton cloth to remove dust locally. Do not use soap or soap-based products as they change the ph value of the skin and reduce its lifespan.
If you wish, you can apply a good leather cream or a spray designed for maintaining nubuck and suede once or twice a year. This will rehydrate the leather and help it plump up slightly. However, this isn’t essential and is simply a matter of personal taste and preference.
Leather Working group
Spikes & Sparrow is a member of the Leather Working Group (LWG) to support more responsible leather production.
LWG is an international non-profit organisation dedicated to promoting excellence in leather production. LWG works with more than 1,600 companies worldwide to promote responsible leather production through certification through the LWG Leather Manufacturer Audit Protocol. The LWG audit assesses tanneries against criteria for energy and water consumption, chemical management, waste management and more. For more information on LWG, visit www.leatherworkinggroup.com.
