OUR LEATHER
Leather is a very old and traditional material that has been used for generations to keep properties safe, keep food in or stay dry and warm. It is a natural material that, if treated properly, will last a long time and look better 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 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 shed some colour when new, just like a new pair of jeans. This shedding will stop once all the waxes or oils have fully sealed the skin. So be careful when carrying your bag in the beginning and avoid wearing it on very light-coloured clothes.
MAINTENANCE
Because our leather is naked (also called unfinished), the skin is porous and absorbs both waxes and oils applied to it in an irregular way. This creates the typical appearance 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 like, you can apply a fine leather cream or spray for maintaining Nubuck and Suede once or twice a year. This will rehydrate the leather and pull it back up a little. However, this is not necessary and a matter of taste and preference.
