$109.00 USD
The Right Place at The Right Time….
A year ago, November 2021 at a St Louis Oak Tannery, I gave away some of my wife’s week old, fresh, Tree House holiday IPAs to get my hands on just 5 crown choice steer hides of this, once a year, autumn tannery single batch run. As the story goes… the first lone drum load was produced a long time ago by accident. As early fall temperatures ushered in a subtle changes to the conditions in the seeping pool rooms deep in the tannery. The master tanners of the time missed the overnight climate swings, thus failed to accommodate for this variable. As a result a deeper, pale, and more rigid hide was produced and then vanished in the subsequent batches, not able to be fully replicated again until...the next Autumn. As legend had it, and originally coined, “ghost in the oak swamp” due to the event coinciding late October and Halloween most years. Evidently these bark tannin chemists were left quite baffled. A few years later, a savvy master tanner Stayed through the night and caught on to what was subtly happening after everyone left the tannery. The annual feedback on this unique harness leather from customers added legend to their already popular and strong harness leather’s growing reputation. Today, one single customary drum load is produced late September-early October every year.
And there you have it, the Legend of the Single Batch Select. Having just picked up these beauties, the 21 Step Process has not begun. We wanted to show a model image and well as the spectacular clear undyed & natural color variations of these finished Classic Natural Oak Selects.
***UPDATE 11-12-22***
The 2022 CLASSIC NATURAL OAK SELECT Limited single run leather belt features a leather made from steer hides and a heavy double drum tallow process that gets run only once a year. This year we only got 2 sides of an amazing rare and natural beauty however, we did get one side of the same tannage in a chestnut harness. The same classic color variations that make up our Natural Oak Select harness beauty are present with darker, pale tones of chestnut leather. Not to go without mentioning the same firm core. This leather sits apart from any other harness leather made in the world. With only a few belts cut in each size, get your Hermann Oak Limited Edition Natural Oak Select or your Hermann Oak Chestnut Oak Select for a gorgeous saddle leather belt, all built to last a lifetime.
The CLASSIC NATURAL OAK SELECT leather belt is cut from limited edition hot stuffed harness leather tanned at Hermann Oak Tannery in St. Louis, Missouri. This is a 4th Generation Tannery that uses the roots and bark of trees and other to cure their leather hides naturally. Due to no dyes being used as colorant additives in this leather, the oils, tallow’s, and waxes cause color shifting. The wax and tallow compounds that makes this leather so durable and water repellent, gives it this coloration. Customers need to understand that the Classic Natural's color is not consistently even. Our previous customers that have chosen this heavy, thick, and durable belt don't ever seem to mind, in fact, we think they love it more. If it doesn't meet approval send it back unworn for 100% of your money back.
The primary use of this leather is for saddlery. Dirt, sweat, salt, and horse drool were hard on ordinary leather so a strong, weather resistant, vegetable tanned leather was invented for the horseman’s reins. This process has changed little in 140 years. Each hide still needs to be steeped for over a month in giant pools of bark and root extracts. Then, the hides are added to giant wooden drums loaded with beef tallow, waxes, and shin bone oils. With heat and centrifugal force, “hot stuffed” harness leather was born when the rotating drums finished the job. That was over a hundred years ago and not very much has changed in the process.
The un-dyed leather has color variations that make it a natural American beauty that is often copied, but never duplicated. We want our customers to understand that it can be returned if it does not meet your satisfaction. That is how Shep Hermann runs his tannery and that is how sure we are about this leather.
The CLASSIC NATURAL OAK SELECT is part of our brown belt, and men's belt collections. All of our leather belts are handmade in the USA.
**We age our Brass in house to create a true patina. If shiny is your preference, please specify in the notes section.**
| Name: | CLASSIC NATURAL OAK SELECT |
| Model: | 412 |
| Leather: | Natural Harness |
| Thickness: | .20 in / 5 mm (thickness of 3 stacked quarters) |
| Width(s): | 1.5" / 38mm |
| Temper: | Extra Firm |
| Buckle: | Tumbled Roller |
| Attachment: | USA Black Oxide Brass Chicago Screw |
| Stitch: | None |
| Overall Size: | Approx. 6 inches over chosen belt size. |
Ex: 37" Inches = 37" Inch Belt Size
Wearing natural leather can have the ability of connecting us to our environment in ways we may not understand. For man, the process of tanning leather with roots and bark from trees goes back to the cave. Thousands of years of evolution physically join man and leather to nature and survival.
Owning a naturally tanned leather belt is both a privilege and a luxury. After 2 years, condition your leather belt with 2 light coats of 100% pure lanolin, Neatsfoot oil or any other fossil fuel free, high quality conditioner. If ever dirty, clean only with saddle soap. Remember, when it's dry reapply.
I love the colour and the thick leather. Time to brake it and it will be fabulous. Unique piece. Thanks.
United StatesExcellent and highest level of customer service by the owners,
United StatesThis belt is stout and will definitely stand the test of time! Outside of the beautiful leather, what stands out is the thickness of the leather used on this belt. This is not one of these "thin" belts you will find on the rack at any given retailer. It is a great example of true American craftsmanship, coupled with rustic beauty, and durability that is rivaled to none. I highly recommend this belt. If I had to give any criticism, (I am digging deep here) I would like to see the belt 1/4" wider but that's because my old belt was a little bit wider. All in all, I could not be happier with this purchase. The only way I would purchase another is if It was lost or stolen because I am confident this belt will outlast my lifetime and will be one that is passed down to the next generation.
United StatesThe belt is stunning. I've never seen / felt a belt of this substance. This shop has great -- and personal -- customer service. They really care about you and they care about what they do. I was nervous when it arrived because it was lighter than in the photos. I emailed the shop and Manny explained that vegetable tanned leather will definitely darken, and to give it some time (a few months). Lo and behold a couple of weeks later, I'm already seeing exactly what he meant. It's looking very nice.
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