Wickett & Craig Buck Brown Double Stuffed

The leather exhibits a marbled appearance with light and dark color tones across the hide, created through the traditional jack glazing process. The glossy surface finish and unglazed characteristics allow the leather to develop color changes over time, making each piece unique as it ages.

Buck Brown leather features a rich, warm color achieved through Wickett & Craig's proprietary finishing process. The color is applied to Traditional Harness leather, which is then hot stuffed with a blend of waxes, oils, and tallows. This treatment creates a glossy top grain surface while the back side is refinished with gum paste, providing a waxy and smooth texture.

The leather displays natural marbling with variations in light and dark tones distributed across the hide. This characteristic marbling results from the jack glazing process, where oils are brought to the surface to create the glossy finish while preserving the leather's natural grain. The firm texture of the leather makes it suitable for stamping and tooling applications.

Buck Brown is available in multiple weight ranges to accommodate different applications. Panel sizes include dimensions of 6.5 by 11 inches for 0.5 square feet, 13 by 11 inches for one square foot, 19.5 by 11 inches for 1.5 square feet, and 26 by 11 inches for two square feet. The leather is offered in weights ranging from 2.5 to three ounces (1.0 to 1.2 millimeters) up to 13 to 15 ounces. Full sides average 24 to 27 square feet, while backs average 18 to 20 square feet.

Buck Brown leather undergoes Wickett & Craig's traditional vegetable tanning process, which takes approximately six weeks from hide to finished leather. The process uses natural vegetable tannins in a labor-intensive, eco-friendly method.

The hot stuffing process is central to creating Buck Brown Double Stuffed leather. The leather is loaded into heated barrels where an exclusive blend of waxes, oils, and tallows is pounded into the fibers through tumbling, without the use of water or emulsifiers. This treatment penetrates the leather to its core, creating a soft and supple texture while providing water resistance.

Following hot stuffing, the leather undergoes jack glazing, a traditional finishing technique where the oils are brought to the surface. This process creates the characteristic glossy finish of Traditional Harness leather while maintaining visibility of the natural grain pattern. The back side of the leather receives a gum paste finish, providing additional protection and a smooth working surface.

The unglazed characteristics of Buck Brown leather allow it to develop patina and undergo color changes over time. The lighter Buck Brown coloration naturally darkens with exposure to use, sunlight, and oils from handling. This aging process is characteristic of vegetable-tanned leathers, which respond to their environment similar to how human skin changes color when exposed to direct sunlight.

The hot stuffed construction contributes to the leather's aging properties by providing a reservoir of oils and waxes within the core. As the leather ages, these oils are drawn to the surface, maintaining the leather's suppleness and developing the patina. The leather may develop blooming, a cloudy or hazy appearance as oils migrate to the surface, which can be buffed away or will naturally wear away with use.

The pull-up effect inherent in hot stuffed leathers creates visual interest during aging. When the leather is pulled, folded, or stretched, lighter-hued lines and color variations appear as the waxes and oils shift within the fibers. This characteristic becomes more pronounced over time, contributing to the unique appearance each piece develops through use.

Buck Brown leather is used across multiple product categories in the leather goods industry. The glossy surface and firm texture make it suitable for high-end accessories including belts, bags, and wallets. The leather's durability and natural water resistance from hot stuffing make it appropriate for items subjected to regular use and exposure to elements.

Equestrian applications represent a traditional use for Buck Brown Traditional Harness leather. The leather is employed in saddles, bridles, straps, and other tack where strength and weather resistance are required. The gum paste finish on the back side provides a smooth surface for contact with equipment and animals.

In footwear, Buck Brown Double Stuffed leather is used for heritage boots and work boots where pull-up characteristics and patina development are desired. The leather's ability to take care of itself through the migration of internal oils makes it suitable for products requiring minimal maintenance. The marbled appearance and glossy finish provide visual appeal while the vegetable tanning process ensures durability for long-term wear.

The leather is also employed in smaller leather goods including dog collars, shoulder straps, journal covers, and purses. The firm texture allows for precise stamping and tooling, making it appropriate for custom leatherwork and artisan products. The weight options available in Buck Brown allow craftspeople to select appropriate thicknesses for specific applications.