Wickett & Craig · Est. 1867English Bridle leatherFull grain · Vegetable tannedTanned in PennsylvaniaHandmade in the USAWickett & Craig · Est. 1867English Bridle leatherFull grain · Vegetable tannedTanned in PennsylvaniaHandmade in the USAWickett & Craig · Est. 1867English Bridle leatherFull grain · Vegetable tannedTanned in PennsylvaniaHandmade in the USA

The tannery · Est. 1867

Over 150 years of making leather the slow way.

Wickett & Craig has been tanning leather since 1867. For more than 120 years they worked from their original tannery in Toronto, then moved to Curwensville, Pennsylvania in 1990, where they still make every hide today.

They're the leading North American maker of vegetable-tanned leather for fine leather goods and equestrian gear, and they've never taken the shortcut. Pit tanning, drum dyeing and genuine hot stuffing are still their standard. It takes longer. It's worth it.

English Bridle · Full grain

The leather saddlemakers trust.

English Bridle is Wickett & Craig's most popular leather, and among the finest vegetable-tanned leathers in the world. Each hide is drum dyed, then hot stuffed with waxes that soak deep into the fibers. That's what gives it a smooth, flexible hand and that rich, waxy feel.

The back side is refinished and gum pasted, so even the inside of your cover is smooth to the touch. And the top grain takes a stamp beautifully, which is why your free personalization looks so crisp.

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What makes it different

  • Full grain

    The strongest, most durable layer of the hide, left whole. Natural marks and grain are part of its character, not flaws.

  • Vegetable tanned

    Tanned the traditional way with natural tannins instead of harsh chemical shortcuts. It's what lets the leather breathe, age and patina.

  • Hot stuffed

    Warm waxes are worked into the leather during finishing, so it stays supple and keeps its rich look for years of daily use.

  • Built to last

    Hand-stitched, edges burnished and sealed by hand, and backed by our lifetime guarantee.

The experience · Patina

No two journals age the same.

Your journal arrives firm, structured and smelling of real leather. Then you start carrying it.

The oils from your hands, a little sun, the bag it rides in and the desk it lives on all leave a mark. The leather softens and molds to the way you hold it. The color deepens. A soft sheen builds where your thumb rests. Light scuffs blend in with a rub of your finger.

Years from now it won't look like anyone else's. It'll look like yours.

Start your patina

How it ages

  • Day one

    Firm and structured, with crisp edges and a waxy finish. Rich color, that new-leather smell.

  • The first months

    It loosens up and starts to open flat. Corners soften and the first marks of use appear.

  • Year one

    The color has deepened and the surface carries a warm sheen. It feels like it's always been yours.

  • Years later

    A full patina, a record of everywhere it's been. Just slide in a fresh notebook and keep going.

Caring for your leather

Do I need to do anything to it?

Not much. Use it. Daily handling is the best thing for vegetable-tanned leather. Wipe it with a soft, dry cloth when it needs it.

How do I handle scratches?

Most light scuffs rub out with your thumb, since the warmth works the waxes back into the surface. Deeper marks become part of the patina.

Should I condition it?

Rarely. English Bridle is already rich with waxes. If it ever feels dry after years of use, a small amount of leather conditioner goes a long way. Test on the inside first.

What about water?

A few drops won't hurt. Wipe them off and let it air dry naturally, away from heat. Avoid soaking it.

Carry it with you

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Your story, in leather that lasts.

Handmade in the USA. Guaranteed for life.

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