Premium rolled harness leather was originally used for harnesses, which made guiding animals easier. Also for "powering" machines, think of drive belts. Today, vegetable-tanned saddle leather also finds many other uses.
The premium rolled harness leather used is often but not always a clear, neutral, oily, cowhide leather, which has great elasticity and tear resistance. The leather is vegetable tanned, in an almost artisanal process that takes several weeks. Thicknesses can range from 1.5 mm. to as much as 4.0 mm. This colored saddle leather comes from southern Europe and has a thickness of about 2.5 mm.
A hide can be cut in different ways. You can use a whole hide, think furniture leather, for large parts. You can also use half a hide or a half. The skin is then cut in half lengthwise. We also know about dossets, croupons or necks, among other things. Premium harness leather, for example, is made from the necks. These have a size that can vary from just over 1 m2 to as much as 1.5 m2. You can buy the necks as complete necks, as half necks, or in the sizes we specify. In terms of colors, there are of course the standard colors, such as black, cognac, dark brown, but increasingly we see many more fashionable colors appearing. The final product is a stiff, sturdy leather which becomes more supple with time and use. It can develop a very nice sheen with time. In fact, it can last indefinitely!
Dimensions premium harness leather
If you order a Premium harness leather neck in the shop, you will get a neck that is about 1.3 m2 in size. This may vary by a maximum of 10%. We always decide in your favor. A half neck has a size of 0.65 m2. You can also buy the following pieces of saddle leather cut for you ;
- Whole neck of 1.3 m2.
- Half neck of 0.65 m2.
What is the best way to maintain this premium rigging?
The maintenance for this premium harness leather is fairly easy. You don't want to do too much to it. Certainly don't treat it with harsh cleaning agents. At first, just use a damp cloth to clean it. If you find that over time the leather starts to look drier, you can rub it a little with a normal natural leather grease. That will be able to make it a little more supple and maybe also make the color a shade darker.