OUR LEATHER

At ColsenKeane Leather, we are obsessed with using the best hides in the world. We only use full grain leather, which is the highest quality leather you can get, far superior to the “genuine leather” commonly used by larger brands. 

We primarily use 8/9oz Full Grain leather for our products because it offers exceptional durability, longevity, and a beautiful patina that adds unique character. While smaller items like clutches are made with 5/6oz leather for practicality, all our products feature Full Grain for lasting quality.

The strongest and most durable part of the hide of an animal is just below the hair. The grain pattern in this part of the hide is very tight, and the leather made from here is called "full-grain" leather. Full-grain leather is the strongest and most durable leather. Additionally, since the grain is so tight, it resists moisture very well. Over time, full-grain leather will develop a patina from being handled.

Why We Use

Full Grain Leather

Full-grain leather, known for its exceptional quality, adds significant value to a product in various ways. Its natural grain pattern and imperfections lend each piece a unique, one-of-a-kind character, enhancing the product's individuality and charm. Beyond aesthetics, full-grain leather is renowned for its unmatched durability and resilience, ensuring that the item will stand the test of time. With age, it develops a beautiful patina, becoming even more visually appealing and valuable. The quality of full-grain leather extends to its comfort and tactile appeal, offering a luxurious and soft feel. Moreover, its resistance to wear and tear, as well as its ability to withstand adverse conditions, ensures that the product remains functional and retains its value over the long term. All of these attributes combined make full-grain leather a premier choice for those who seek quality, longevity, and a timeless appeal in their purchases.

the importance of

Leather Patina

We celebrate the patina process at ColsenKeane! A leather patina is the gradual transformation of the surface of leather over time, as it develops a unique and often beautiful appearance due to exposure to various environmental factors and regular use. This patina is highly prized by leather enthusiasts and collectors, as it reflects the leather's aging process and tells a story of the item's history.

Please note that our Natural Tan leather begins its patina process the minute we open it in our studio to begin crafting your new bag. The leather is incredibly light-sensitive and porous; so much so that we store it in dark plastic and our Leathersmiths wear gloves when handling it. Though it begins very white, it will go through stages of various other desert tones (including a rosy pink and light orange) before eventually becoming a golden medium brown.

variances amongst hides

Cowhides & Buffalo

Cowhides are very strong, rugged, and durable. They have significantly more variances between them. For example, our "Crazy Horse" leather is airy and light, somewhat pliable, more quickly develops a patina, and is prone to relaxing/"breaking in" sooner. IIn contrast, our "Havana Brown" leather is also a cowhide, but is very rugged and solid with an intensity towards holding its initial shape longer. Both incredibly durable, but Crazy Horse lends itself to looking like an heirloom much sooner. 

Our Buffalo hides are often confused for Bison hides but are sourced, in fact, from Water Buffalo.  Overall, they generally respond similarly to other Buffalo hides, with fewer variations than the cowhides. While the buffalo is flexible, it also has a density that gives it amazing strength and durability, and takes much longer to "break in." If you are hard on your leather items or are often in rough climate conditions, Buffalo will serve you well.  

Our Cowhide leather options are shown above. Please see the below slideshow for our expansive Buffalo collection.

HERE ARE THE STEPS FOR

Conditioning Your CK Products

So you bought a new Satchel and you're wondering how to take care of it? You don't need to do anything at all for at least 4-6 months. Your leather good comes packed with the oils it needs to perform. At the 4-6 month mark, we recommend a gently applied coat of Saddle Soap (available for purchase here). We suggest you do this with our Liquid Saddle Soap.  

Please note that an application of Saddle Soap will darken the leather, just like age and patina does. We recommend you test it on a more hidden area (like the bottom or under the front flap of your Satchel) first, to be sure you understand how the leather will change.

1. To apply Saddle Soap, take a clean soft cloth and gently apply the solution in a circular motion into your leather good. 

2. Let it dry 2-3 hours, or overnight if you want to be certain and it's ready to go.

3. Reapply again every 3-4 months. 

We can only recommend Saddle Soap on our products. Though you may surely be able to use them on other leather goods purchased elsewhere, or on larger items like chairs or sofas, we can not guarantee the results and therefore would not be able to recommend it. 

ColsenKeane Branded

Silver-Tone Brass Buckles

In 2024, we upgraded the appearance of our hardware by investing in our very own buckles featuring our brand's logo. This hardware is made of solid brass with a matte nickel finish. These buckles are extremely durable and will stand the test of time while proudly displaying the logo of the business we work tirelessly to foster.

HAND-FORGED

Copper Buckles

With each belt, satchel, duffle, and more, Handmade Copper Buckles are an optional feature that you can select as you are building your piece. These buckles are painstakingly hand-forged from pure copper by a metal smith in Montana.

If you have a sensitivity to some metals, the Handmade Copper Buckle may be a good choice for you when purchasing a belt.

GET TO KNOW

Our Guarantee

We take pride that our leather products are crafted with such durability & expertise, we will stand behind them for a lifetime. Should your bag fail with normal use, due to a defect in materials or workmanship we will repair or replace it for free. Our warranty does not cover any damage caused by neglect, improper use or abuse, accidental damage, or anything outside of normal wear and tear.

LEARN ABOUT

Refreshing Your Satchel

If your cherished ColsenKeane Satchel has seen its fair share of years and use, it might be time for a little revitalization. That's where our "Refresh Your Satchel" package comes in. We'll provide your beloved bag with a comprehensive checkup and thorough cleaning. Our expert team will utilize liquid glycerine saddle soap to cleanse and condition your bag, meticulously examining every rivet and stitch, and making any necessary repairs to ensure the enduring quality of your trusted companion.

You may purchase the package here, then ship your Satchel to us safely (we recommend insuring your package) here: ColsenKeane, Refresh Your Satchel, 1707 E. 7th St, Charlotte, NC 28204.

Please include your full name, phone number, and current shipping address. Once complete, we will ship your bag back to you as quickly as possible, providing tracking for your package. 

FAQ About Our Leather

Have a question not answered below? Email us at info@colsekeane.com for further assistance.

Is leather a sustainable material?

Yes! Leather is considered to be sustainable as it is a by-product of the food industry.

Where does leather come from?

Our leather hides come from animals that were raised for food. This generally accounts for 99% of the world's leather, making leather a by-product of the food industry. We use nearly every square inch of our leather to produce meaningful leather goods that honor the life of the animal through heirloom quality production.

Do you use Exotic Hides?

No. We only offer products made from cowhide or Water Buffalo hide.

Will you make a custom item with a hide I have?

No. We take great care and pride in creating products that are built and guaranteed to last a lifetime or more. Consequently, we only work with hides we hand-select.

Will you use a thinner hide for my project?

Though we are always open to discuss custom projects, we choose to use no thinner than 8/9oz leather for larger bags, and 5/6oz leather for smaller goods, because we care about the longevity and durability of everything we create.

What do i need to apply to the leather product i just purchased from you?

You don't need to do anything at all for at least 4-6 months. Your leather good comes packed with the oils it needs to perform.

What product do you recommend for conditioning the leather?

You won't need to do anything to your leather good for 4-6 months. At that point, we always recommend Saddle Soap for conditioning the leather goods we make. You can purchase it here.

What do I do if I got stuck in a rainstorm with my bag?

As soon as you're able and indoors, empty your bag of all of its contents. Open it so the interior has circulation as well, and place it in a well-ventilated area, letting it dry completely - not even a hint of dampness should be left. It's critical to ensure the bag dries completely as soon as possible, to avoid damage and inhibit any potential for mold growth. Afterwards, depending upon how wet the bag got, you will likely need to apply some saddle soap to recondition the leather.

What should I do if something gross/smelly spilled inside my bag?

So the baby spit up in your bag, huh? The sooner you act, the better. Take everything out of your bag and try first to surface clean the leather: wipe off what you can with paper towels or a soft cloth, dampening it when needed. Then allow the bag to sit empty to dry and air out in an indoor area with good circulation. Not enough? You may increase the amount of water used to clean the inside, understanding that it will darken the leather and that you will want to recondition it afterwards.

I haven't used my newish bag in a while and now there are splotchy white areas on it. What gives?

When our leather, which is packed full of oils and waxes, sits unused for a while, those waxes and oils will begin rising to the surface. Take a sheepskin, shammy or microfiber cloth and make gentle circles over the leather. Soon you will see the waxes spreading and your leather good will look good as new!

Do you repair leather products?

No. We do not do any repair work. We also do not work on any "outside" leather; meaning, leather that is not sourced by us.

Can I use Saddle Soap on my Leather furniture?

We can not provide guidance on how to care for other brands' products, nor how to care for different grades of leather used by furniture manufacturers.

I'd like to make something new out of my dad's old jacket. Can you help?

Great idea, but we can't assist you with it. We don't work on any outside leather.

How do I apply saddle soap to my colsenkeane leather goods?

So you bought a new Satchel and you're wondering how to take care of it?

You don't need to do anything at all for at least 4-6 months. Your leather good comes packed with the oils it needs to perform.

At the 4-6 month mark, we recommend a gently applied coat of Saddle Soap (available for purchase here). We suggest you do this with our Liquid Saddle Soap.  

Please note that an application of Saddle Soap will darken the leather, just like age and patina does.

1. To apply Saddle Soap, take a clean soft cloth and gently apply the solution in a circular motion into your leather good.  You may wish to begin at the bottom of the bag, in order to see how the Saddle Soap will affect the hide.

2. Let it dry 2-3 hours, or overnight if you want to be certain and it's ready to go.

3. Reapply again every 3-4 months. 

will you emboss my initials on something i already own?

No. Though we do offer monogramming on the products we make and sell, we will not work in any capacity on "outside" leather.

Can you tell me about your monogramming?

We offer optional monogramming on most of our leather products. Please note that we only offer 1 font which is all minimalist capital letters that measure 1/4" tall. As such, we recommend you use a [first initial/middle initial/last initial] format. 

Please note that our monograms, just like the crafting of all of our leather products, are done by hand. As such, you should allow room for slight imperfections as that is, indeed, part of the hand-crafted experience.

In the interest of accuracy, we do not advise using more than 3-4 letters, at most. The cost of monogramming is $20 for up to 3 letters. Any letters over 3 are an additional $5 per letter. 

We're sorry, but we do not monogram any non-ColsenKeane products.

Can you stamp symbols or designs into the product I order?

We do not offer leather tooling.