Wickett & Craig Olive English Bridle

Wickett & Craig English Bridle leather undergoes a six-week vegetable tanning process using natural tannins from Mimosa and Quebracho tree barks. The leather is drum dyed before the hot stuffing phase, which saturates the material with waxes and tallows. The back side of the leather receives refinishing and gum pasting, creating a waxy, smooth texture that distinguishes English Bridle from other Wickett & Craig leather types.

The olive color in Wickett & Craig English Bridle leather displays characteristics consistent with the broader English Bridle product line. The drum dyeing process creates a more uniform color distribution compared to Wickett & Craig Traditional Harness leather, which exhibits marbling with light and dark tones across the hide. English Bridle leather maintains a matte finish rather than the glossy surface characteristic of jack-glazed harness leather.

The hot stuffing process affects the leather's appearance and feel. Olive English Bridle contains the least amount of oil among Wickett & Craig's hot-stuffed leathers, resulting in a drier feel during handling compared to Traditional Harness or Oiled Latigo products. Despite the lower oil content, the leather retains the waxy texture created by the hot stuffing phase, where predetermined amounts of waxes and tallows are infused into the material.

Olive English Bridle leather is available in six weight options, each corresponding to specific thickness measurements. The available weights include 2.5-3 oz (1.0-1.2mm), 3.5-4 oz (1.4-1.6mm), 4.5-5 oz (1.8-2.0mm), 5.5-6 oz (2.2-2.4mm), 8-10 oz (3.2-4.0mm), and 10-12 oz (4.0-4.8mm). These weights accommodate different applications, with lighter weights suitable for small leather goods and heavier weights appropriate for belts and footwear construction.

The leather is sold in sides that average 25 square feet, consistent with the broader English Bridle product line specifications of 24-27 square feet for sides and 18-20 square feet for backs. Olive sides are graded as Tannery Run (TR), which includes grades #1, #2, and #3 based on natural markings and surface characteristics present in the hide.

The physical properties include a smooth surface texture, firm temper, and flexible yet durable construction. The leather exhibits a flawless, even surface characteristic of English Bridle production standards. The vegetable tanning process using traditional methods contributes to the leather's structure and aging characteristics.

Olive English Bridle leather serves multiple applications in the heritage footwear and leather goods markets. The leather's smooth texture and flexible durability make it suitable for equestrian gear, including bridles, reins, and straps, which represent the material's traditional application. The range of available weights allows leatherworkers to select appropriate thickness for specific projects.

In high-end leather goods production, olive English Bridle finds use in belts, bags, wallets, and small accessories. The matte finish and uniform color distribution provide an aesthetic alternative to glossier leather types. The firm temper and structural integrity maintain shape in constructed goods while allowing the leather to develop character through use.

The vegetable tanning process and hot stuffing treatment create leather that improves with age, developing patina characteristics valued in heritage footwear and leather goods. The waxes and oils infused during manufacturing provide inherent conditioning that contributes to the leather's durability and weather resistance.