Wickett & Craig Oak Skirting

Manufactured at the company's Curwensville, Pennsylvania facility since 1867, the oak skirting undergoes a 14-day vegetable tanning process using tree bark tannins before drum dyeing. Despite being pre-dyed at the tannery, the leather continues to accept additional dye and oil applications for custom finishing work. The leather is traditionally used for saddles, holsters, and sheaths, where its firm temper and ability to hold tooled designs serve functional requirements.

The oak color provides a mid-tone brown appearance achieved through drum dyeing at the tannery. While the leather is drum dyed, the dye is not struck through, meaning the inner layer of the leather remains natural in color while the outer surface displays the oak tone. This drum dyeing process differs from surface finishing, as the color penetrates into the leather structure without fully saturating all layers.

The oak-colored skirting responds to custom finishing despite its factory dyeing. The leather accepts additional dye and oil applications, making it responsive to dyeing and antiquing processes for those seeking to modify or enhance the color. As vegetable-tanned leather, the oak skirting develops a patina with age, with the natural tannins from the tree bark tanning process contributing to how the leather ages and darkens over time.

Oak skirting is available in the same weight and size options as other skirting colors. Standard weights range from 8-14 oz for traditional applications, with custom splitting available down to 2-3 oz at no additional cost. Individual thickness options include 2.5-3 oz, 3.5-4 oz, 4.5-5 oz, 5.5-6 oz, 8-10 oz, and 10-12 oz.

The leather is sold by the side or back, with average sides measuring 24-27 square feet and average backs measuring 18-20 square feet. Three grades are offered: Standard, Utility, and Special. Standard grade pricing ranges from $10.40 per square foot for 8-10 oz weights to $11.05 per square foot for 12-14 oz weights. Utility grade ranges from $9.44 to $9.93 per square foot, while Special grade ranges from $8.49 to $9.00 per square foot depending on thickness.

Oak skirting shares the firm temper characteristic of all Wickett & Craig Skirting leathers, being hard and rigid with little flexibility compared to softer leathers. The full grain bovine leather maintains its ability to tool, mold, and accept finish work despite the pre-applied oak color. The firm structure allows the leather to hold tooled or embossed designs while accepting uniform dyeing and oiling.

Traditional applications include saddlery components such as saddle skirts, stirrup leathers, and fenders, where the leather's ability to maintain form under stress proves functional. The leather also serves in holster and sheath construction, where rigidity and the ability to retain a molded shape provide protection. The oak color option allows craftspeople to select a specific mid-tone brown appearance while maintaining the structural properties required for these applications.