You probably seen this leather before… used for messenger bags, belts or camp boots. It is an awesome leather, heavy duty, very nice to work with. I just love it, it is one of my favorite types of leather: the rugged masculine look, its sturdiness, its smooth surface. This leather is called crazy horse 🙂 I’ve heard other funny names, like crazy leather or mad dog. It is also called Apache or saddle leather. But, in truth, it is the ol’ good cow leather.
Let me tell you a little bit about it. It is known for its durability, they say it will last a lifetime. I haven’t lived a lifetime yet so I can’t say I tested it myself 🙂 So I’ll update this blog post in about 70 years from now and will let you know (stay tuned!)
This leather is also known for the beautiful vintage look, the two tones that it makes where it is folded or was recently bent. I say recently, because after a while the leather returns to its uniform look. And when you bend it again, it will change its appearance again. It is a fun leather, I tell you, maybe I wouldn’t call it crazy… that’s a bit much, but it does have an interesting personality. It will easily pick up more nicks and scratches but they will vanish if you just rub it with your fingers. If it is often bent on one direction, it will keep that wrinkle and so in time the object made out of it will get a beautiful antique, worn, rustic look.
The superpowers of the crazy horse leather come from the way it was treated:
First, the premium cattle leather is buffed – the leather surface is sanded with a very fine sandpaper, so that it’s natural grain is evened out and it gets a velvety surface. At that point the leather is called nubuck (think of a peach surface, or the finest powdery suede) Then some special oils are added, and a special wax on top – everything is special!
image found on http://englandevents.co.uk
I hope you enjoyed the story of the crazy horse.
Have you ever owned something made of this type of leather?
Is it me or does this fellow needs a teeth cleaning?
A LIL’ BIT ABOUT THE AUTHOR: ANCA
[avatar user=”Anca” size=”100″ align=”left” /]
Anca is an artistic soul, with lots of ideas. She wants to try this and that, buys all the possible craft supplies that no one ever heard of, “for future projects” (she says)… She is a social media inamorata and ensures a quality customer service. She is our calligrapher and she plays the piano. a lot.
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© Medieval Journey
Beautiful journals, beautiful leathers and fun horse picture for the theme 🙂
Huhu ‘stay tuned’
and yes definitively needs a teeth cleaning, which reminds me to go to the dentist.
Interesting post 🙂
Great story and info. Love this “Crazy Horse” leather. And… I will be around in 70 years to read your post again!!!
I’ll be waiting 🙂
I’m in love with this leather – these colors are stunning! I think I have a bag made from such leather. Th wax was used for the leather and it has a deep grey-blue color like asphalt. I love the vintage look of this leather and new scratch just make the leather more interesting.
Oh I know that asphalt blueish gray hue, and I love it! And indeed, I also think scratches do go well with its vintage appearance.
Teehee! I’ll definitely stick around as well to see the 70 years update (i will probably be just a bit out of shape being so close to 100 years old, but nevertheless, i’ll be eagerly waiting!) 😀
I’m absolutely in love with your journals! They really do look like they’re from a completely other (past) time. Up until now i never really thought about how many types of leather there are, but i definitely never expected one to be called “crazy horse”! :)) I don’t think i’ve ever had anything made out of this type of leather, but then again, it might be just the crazy name that is making me think twice. 😀
The horsey, Stephanie and i will all make appointments with the dentist!
Oh! Your tools? I use those as well in letterpress printing sometimes! 😀
Oh! I noticed you’re in Bucharest too (makes me wonder why i write in English then… hmm…)! Hey there, neighbor! 😀
Hehey neighbor 🙂 Maybe we can hang out one day, I’d get to see the letterpress process which I am fascinated of! I’d be a bit over 100 in 70 years but it’s ok, I don’t mind 🙂
Yeah there are SO many types of leather, that I am still learning about them each day. And if only this crazy leather goes by so many names… I guess I’ll never learn them all.
We should definitely do that! I’d love to introduce to you our family of machines (there are several of them and they all have names and genders! :D) so whenever you feel like visiting we’d be overjoyed to have you! 😀
Maybe on the 70 years update you’ll also share all the types of leathers you’ve learned by then! Hehe!
Interesting post. Love the horse, he made me smile!
Beautiful journals and wonderful pictures!! Thanks for sharing you work with us 🙂
Beautiful journals. I love how your style is becoming increasingly sophisticated and yet stays simple.
Such a beautiful leather!! It does look amazingly fun to work with.
Can’t wait for your post in 70 years! 😀
Wait, what meeting!? I want to come 😀 I will be coming on a gray “crazy horse” to be sure you can’t miss me 😛
See you in a lifetime with the crazy horse leather review 😉
It would be awesome to get together, I had the best of times last time (and first LOL)… Maybe this weekend?
Hmmm.. crazy horse, or mad cow leather 🙂
Is the black journal I have made of something like this?
In any case it looks like a treasure I’d jealously hoard!
Give me more on the ‘special wax’ an ‘special oil’ and tools, love to read the background of well-made stuff…
Such a great leather and images are also good, I like it.