Hermann Oak Bridle Side

Leather Type: Cowhide
Tannage: Vegetable Tanned
Cut: Side
Average Size: 21–24 Sq. Ft.
Temper: Firm
Finish: Full-Grain, Hot Stuffed & Waxed
Item Number: HOBRS

Hermann Oak Bridle is a full-grain, 100% vegetable-tanned leather made in St. Louis, Missouri from domestic hides. Using Hermann Oak’s traditional tanning process, the leather is drum dyed, hot stuffed with oils, fats, and tallows, then finished with natural waxes to create the smooth grain, rich feel, and firm body expected from traditional bridle leather.

The hot-stuffing process works conditioning oils and waxes into the leather, giving it a dense, substantial feel while helping it remain flexible enough for hard-working leather goods. The surface has a smooth, refined finish that develops additional character and patina through handling and use.

The heavier weights also feature Hermann Oak’s moss back. Mossing, sometimes referred to as pasting, is a finishing process applied to the flesh side of the leather that lays down and seals the fibers. This creates a smoother, cleaner-looking back with less fuzzing, which is especially useful on straps, belts, tack, and other projects where the flesh side may remain exposed.

Hermann Oak Bridle is an excellent choice for belts, straps, bridles, reins, tack, saddlebags, cases, holsters, knife sheaths, and other projects that need firm vegetable-tanned leather with good structure. It also burnishes beautifully, allowing you to create smooth, polished edges on finished work. Lighter split weights can be used for wallets, small leather goods, and layered projects where full-weight bridle leather would be too heavy.

Hermann Oak has been vegetable tanning leather in St. Louis since 1881, using traditional methods that have made their leather a longtime favorite for saddlery, tack, belts, and other demanding leatherwork.

Please Note: This is full-grain leather and has not been sanded or buffed to remove its natural character. Healed scratches, insect bites, range marks, grain variation, and other minor surface markings may be present. The 2–3 oz. option is split from heavier leather and does not have the moss back finish.

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