Neil Griffin Leather

I started working with leather in January 2014 during a 6 week spell off work (landscaping on building sites) as a result of the rain and floods.

It started purely as a cure for boredom and a way of being creative and still practical with my hands. I taught myself using books and a lot of trial and error. I enjoy the patience and attention to detail involved but also the simplicity of working with basic hand tools.

I like the way that full grain leather evolves with time and use and develops its own character and unique patina. I use cast solid brass hardware for the same reason.

I like simple, classic, utilitarian designs that wouldn’t look massively out of place in the middle-ages. I make everything with its practical application and longevity in mind.

All the items I make are made entirely by hand and are completely hand-stitched using a ‘saddle-stitch’ technique. The stitching on the belts and dog collars and veg-tanned leather bags are recessed into the leather to further reduce wear.