J & FJ Baker & Co. Ltd. Est. 1882
ERNEST WALKER LTD. leather goods are handmade using Oak Bark Tanned English Bridle Leather from the only Oak Bark tannery left in the UK - J & FJ Baker & Co. Ltd.
Traditionally crafted in the same location for centuries, each piece takes 14 months to finish and is tanned using natural oak bark harvested from sustainably coppiced UK woodlands and local river water.
Unlike modern tanning processes, zero harmful chemicals are used in the making of this unique and harder wearing leather - so there are no toxic substances going back in to the environment.
Baker’s tannery uses only hides from homegrown livestock on free-to-range farms. This means the leather may have natural imperfections, crease marks, small scars etc; that give this beautiful leather its glorious patina. Each piece is truly unique and shows the animal had a real life outdoors.
Outdoor reared livestock that have the freedom to range is very important to ERNEST WALKER LTD. and we are very lucky that the UK has some of the highest animal welfare standards in the world. Something to be proud of.
Oak Bark Leather is stronger and more durable than other leathers as the slow tanning process protects the natural fibres.
Learn more about Baker’s tanning process HERE.
ERNEST WALKER LTD. brand goods are honest, hardwearing and built for life.
Buy once. Buy ERNEST.
Photograph by Paul Glendell
- Oak Bark Leather Colour Chart -
ERNEST WALKER LTD. uses 5 different tones of leather from the J & FJ Baker & Co. Ltd. Tannery and for those that want to know; here is the Oak Bark Leather tone chart comparing our leather tone names with the actual names from Baker’s tannery:
ERNEST WALKER LTD. - J & FJ Baker & Co. Ltd.
Hide - Russet
Tobacco - Dark Stain
Whiskey - Australian Nut
Coffee - Dark Havana
Coal - Black