Wickett & Craig H Latigo

The leather is drum dyed and hot stuffed with a proprietary blend of waxes, oils, and tallows before being split to a standard 4/5 ounce thickness and refinished on the flesh side. This manufacturing process positions H Latigo as a versatile material suitable for wallets, small leather goods, footwear, bags, and briefcases.

H Latigo combines production techniques from two distinct leather types. The manufacturing begins with Harness leather crust, which is then processed using the English Bridle finish that Wickett & Craig has refined over its history. This hybrid approach applies the time-tested English Bridle finishing methods to Traditional Harness stock.

The leather undergoes drum dyeing and hot stuffing with a unique formulation of waxes, oils, and tallows developed specifically for H Latigo. Following this treatment, the leather is split to 4/5 ounce thickness and the flesh side receives additional finishing to create a refined surface suitable for applications requiring thinner, more pliable leather than full-weight harness stock.

H Latigo is available in thickness ranges from 2-3 ounces to 12-14 ounces, providing options for different applications from lightweight leather goods to more substantial items. The average side measures 24-27 square feet, while black hides average 18-20 square feet due to dye penetration affecting usable area.

The leather is sold by the side and back, with pricing structured across three quality grades. For 9-11 ounce thickness, Standard grade costs $11.12 per square foot, Utility grade $9.99, and Special grade $9.04. The 11-13 ounce range is priced at $11.46, $10.33, and $9.38 respectively, while 13-15 ounce weights command $12.04, $10.88, and $9.93 per square foot across the same grade levels.

H Latigo is produced in five standard colors. Black is available as a dyed-through option, with reduced average hide size due to the deep dye penetration. Brown tones include Buck Brown and Medium Brown, offering natural earth colors that develop patina with use. Burgundy provides a richer red-brown option, while Olive offers a green-toned alternative to the traditional brown palette.

The 4/5 ounce standard split makes H Latigo particularly suitable for leather goods requiring moderate thickness and flexibility. The leather appears in wallets and small goods where its refined flesh side and smooth grain provide appropriate aesthetics and durability. Footwear applications utilize H Latigo for components requiring vegetable-tanned leather with less stiffness than full-weight harness stock.

Bags and briefcases benefit from H Latigo's balance between structure and flexibility, allowing construction of items that hold shape while remaining comfortable to handle. The leather's hybrid nature provides characteristics from both English Bridle and Traditional Harness, making it adaptable to applications where either parent leather might prove excessive or insufficient.

English Bridle leather features a smooth, flexible, and durable character achieved through drum dyeing and hot stuffing. The finish creates a more matte, uniform color across the hide compared to Traditional Harness, with less variation in tone from area to area.

Traditional Harness employs an exclusive blend of waxes, oils, and tallows combined with jack glazing technique, where oils are brought to the leather's surface to create a glossy finish. This process produces more marbling, with light and dark color tones appearing across the hide. The glossier top grain surface contrasts with English Bridle's subdued appearance.

Both parent leathers rank among the highest end vegetable-tanned leathers produced, with English Bridle available in weights from 2-3 ounces to 12-14 ounces, and Traditional Harness ranging from 2-3 ounces to 13-15 ounces. Average side dimensions match H Latigo at 24-27 square feet for standard hides.