Seidel Black Double Shot

Black Double Shot undergoes a combination tanning process that integrates chrome and vegetable tanning methods. The leather begins with chrome tanning for flexibility and resilience, then receives additional treatment with vegetable extracts. This combination produces leather that exhibits both the softness associated with chrome tanning and the structure and aging characteristics of vegetable-tanned leather.

The defining characteristic of Black Double Shot leather is its hot-stuffing process, a traditional technique dating back centuries. Tanners employ heat to saturate the leather with a blend of natural waxes, tallows, and oils. This infusion occurs through tumbling in heated barrels without water or emulsifiers, using very hot air along with previously melted tallows and waxes.

The process involves a unique multiple hot wax application that penetrates the leather thoroughly to its core. As the leather becomes saturated, the blend of unrefined fats and oils permeates throughout, keeping it soft and supple while providing enhanced water resistance. The high concentration of oils and waxes creates the leather's characteristic pullup effect and may cause leather bloom, a cloudy or hazy appearance as oils surface, which can be buffed away.

The black colorway is achieved through dyeing during the tanning process, creating the deep black hue that characterizes this offering. The color penetrates the leather while allowing the underlying brown core to remain, enabling the signature teacore effect as the surface layer wears through use.

Black Double Shot is produced in two primary weight ranges depending on application. Leather supply sources offer hides in 4.5-5 ounce weight (1.8-2.0mm thickness), while boot manufacturers typically use 7-ounce weight (approximately 2.8mm thickness). Full hides weigh approximately 1,300 grams and range from 16 to 26 square feet, with half hides measuring 8 to 13 square feet.

The leather exhibits full-grain construction with a smooth, glossy finish. Its temper is described as semi-supple, combining suppleness with a healthy amount of firmness. The flesh side is finished in brown coloring. Center sections of hides provide clean, large work areas, while fat wrinkles are visible near belly areas.

The smooth finish displays a semi-gloss to glossy surface with deep black coloring. The finish highlights the leather's distinctive pullup characteristics, where lighter tones emerge dynamically in response to folding, creasing, and stretching. Natural grain beauty and depth of color characterize the leather's visual qualities despite the black surface treatment.

The leather's signature pullup effect results from its unique multiple hot wax infusion process. When the leather is folded or creased, the fibers open and reveal lighter tones as the waxes and oils shift within the material. This creates a two-tone effect where pulled, folded, or stretched areas become lighter in color. The oils respond to creasing and bending, producing dynamic tonal shifts that highlight contours and wear patterns.

Black Double Shot receives an 8/10 patina rating, indicating its capacity to develop character through use. The leather reveals a brown core over time with heavy wear, a characteristic known as teacore. As the surface black color layer wears, the underlying brown base becomes visible, creating unique patina patterns specific to each item's use.

The leather takes shape easily during break-in periods and ages gracefully. Its typical break-in duration allows the leather to adapt quickly to wear patterns while maintaining its structural integrity. The combination of full-grain construction and heavy oil content enables the leather to develop natural wrinkles, creases, and wear marks that contribute to its evolving appearance.

The hot-stuffing process provides moderate weather resistance, enhanced through application of boot protector products. The concentration of waxes and oils creates a barrier that repels water without making the leather completely waterproof. The leather offers excellent durability over time due to the protective qualities of the infused fats and oils.

Despite its thickness, particularly in boot weight applications, the leather remains relatively easy to break in. The extensive oil content contributes to suppleness while maintaining the firmness needed for structured applications. However, this high oil content makes Black Double Shot unsuitable for applications requiring molding or stamping, as the oils interfere with these processes.

Black Double Shot is utilized by heritage bootmakers for work boots and casual footwear. The 7-ounce weight used in boot construction provides the thickness needed for durable footwear while maintaining break-in characteristics. The leather's combination of black coloring, pullup effect, patina development, and moderate water resistance makes it suitable for work and casual boot applications. Its ability to develop character through wear appeals to heritage footwear markets where aged leather patina is valued.

Black Double Shot's suppleness and firmness make it appropriate for larger leather projects including totes, bags, and duffels. The leather's full-grain construction and rich pullup characteristics provide both functional durability and visual appeal for these applications. Hide center sections offer clean working areas for projects requiring larger uninterrupted sections of leather.

Rocky Mountain Leather Supply offers full hides at $9.99 per square foot and half hides at $10.49 per square foot, making the leather accessible to leather crafters and small manufacturers for various projects beyond footwear.