Wickett & Craig Olive H Latigo

As with all H Latigo variants, Olive combines characteristics from Wickett & Craig's Traditional Harness and English Bridle leather lines. The leather features the smooth hand of English Bridle with the substantial cut of Traditional Harness, creating a less sensitive grain surface than either parent leather type. The olive dye penetrates the vegetable-tanned leather during drum dyeing, providing a distinctive green-brown color that develops patina through use while maintaining the physical properties characteristic of H Latigo.

Olive H Latigo undergoes Wickett & Craig's six-week vegetable tanning process beginning with North American cattle hides. The Pennsylvania facility's 72-vat tanning yard processes hides for approximately two weeks in tanning liquor containing natural tannins extracted from Mimosa and Quebracho tree bark. This extended tanning period establishes the leather's vegetable-tan base and structural characteristics.

Following tanning, the leather enters the drum dyeing phase where olive color is applied. The drum dyeing method ensures even dye distribution throughout the leather while maintaining material integrity. The olive shade represents a green-toned variation that distinguishes it from the brown and burgundy options while remaining within earth tone color families suitable for heritage leather goods.

After dyeing, the leather undergoes fat liquoring with conditioning oils and waxes, followed by hot stuffing with additional waxes and tallows. This treatment provides the characteristic suppleness and depth associated with H Latigo while locking in the olive color. The leather is then split to 4/5 ounce thickness and the flesh side receives finishing. The English Bridle finish technique, applied to the Traditional Harness crust, creates the hybrid characteristics that define H Latigo.

Olive H Latigo exhibits a green-brown color that provides distinctive visual character compared to standard brown leathers. The olive tone combines green undertones with brown base color, creating an earth-toned appearance that varies in exact shade based on dye concentration and leather thickness. The color provides more visual interest than standard browns while remaining subdued compared to bright or vibrant green leathers.

The leather maintains physical properties characteristic of all H Latigo production. The smooth hand from English Bridle finishing creates a refined grain surface, while the Traditional Harness cut provides substantial thickness suitable for leather goods and footwear applications. The less sensitive grain shows reduced tendency toward scuffing and surface marking compared to full English Bridle or Traditional Harness leather.

Hot stuffing with waxes and tallows contributes to the leather's suppleness and provides protection for the olive surface. The treatment allows the color to develop richer tones with use and handling, as oils from use integrate with the conditioning agents present in the leather. The green-brown base shows dirt and wear differently than black or dark brown leathers, with the olive tone helping to conceal some surface discoloration while remaining lighter than burgundy.

The vegetable-tanned base of Olive H Latigo supports natural patina development over time. The olive color darkens with exposure, handling, and conditioning, creating deeper green-brown tones in frequently contacted areas. High-wear points such as wallet edges, bag handles, or boot vamps develop more pronounced color depth compared to protected sections.

The drum dye penetrates throughout the leather thickness, meaning surface abrasion does not reveal contrasting underlayers as with surface-dyed leathers. The olive color remains consistent through the leather's cross-section, with aging producing gradual overall darkening rather than dramatic color changes. The green undertones may become more or less prominent as the leather darkens, depending on conditioning treatments and exposure patterns.

Oil absorption from handling and conditioning applications enhances patina development. The vegetable-tanned structure readily accepts oils, which darken the olive base and create more complex color variations across the leather surface. The olive tone ages distinctively compared to brown variants, with the green component interacting with darkening effects to produce unique patina characteristics.

Olive H Latigo is available in the same thickness range as other H Latigo colors, from 2-3 ounces to 12-14 ounces. This range accommodates applications from lightweight leather goods requiring thin, flexible material to heavier items needing more substantial stock. The standard 4/5 ounce split represents the most common thickness for general leather goods production.

Average side dimensions measure 24-27 square feet for standard hides, maintaining the larger standard dimensions rather than the reduced size characteristic of black H Latigo. The leather is sold by the side and back, following Wickett & Craig's standard distribution format.

Pricing follows Wickett & Craig's three-grade structure of Standard, Utility, and Special grades, with costs varying by thickness and quality level. The olive color does not command price premiums over other standard H Latigo colors.

Olive H Latigo provides distinctive color options for heritage leather goods and footwear. Wallets and small goods benefit from the olive tone's ability to offer visual distinction from standard brown and black options while maintaining earth-tone aesthetics compatible with casual and outdoor contexts. The refined flesh side finish and smooth grain make the leather suitable for applications where both sides remain visible.

In footwear applications, olive offers alternatives to conventional brown tones in heritage boot styles. The green-brown color works particularly well with outdoor and military-inspired aesthetics where olive tones historically appeared. Boot makers sourcing from Wickett & Craig include olive H Latigo among available options for custom and production footwear seeking distinctive yet subdued coloring.

Bags and briefcases utilize olive H Latigo for its balance between structure and flexibility combined with distinctive color. The 4/5 ounce standard thickness provides adequate weight for bag construction while remaining manageable for sewing and assembly. The olive color ages distinctively in these applications, with handle and closure contact points developing rich patina that emphasizes the green-brown undertones over years of use.