How we picked the leather supplier
Three hours of Maine highway, one room, and one old man with a drawknife.
Nov 8, 2025 · 7 min read · Eli Rivera, Co-founder
We make our cognac leash at a tannery in Searsport, Maine that has been in the same family for 91 years.
It is the third tannery we visited. The first one had a beautiful Instagram and a 3-week lead time and used a chrome-tanning process that produces 11 lbs of heavy-metal waste per hide.
The second one had a slightly better process but refused to share where they sourced their hides.
The third one — the one we use now — is a 28-foot-long room with a single window. There are 4 vats. There are 4 people. There has been a family photo on the wall since 1932.
We sat with the owner, Henrik, for 3 hours. He showed us the bark he uses for the vegetable tanning. He showed us the brass rivets he buys from a hardware store in Bangor that's been open since 1908. He showed us the leather scraps he sends to a local elementary school for art class.
We paid more than we wanted to. We decided that was correct.
Every leash we sell comes with this story. The packing slip includes Henrik's first name. It's not a brand story. It's a person story.
If you ever visit Maine in September, we'll drive you up.
