Craftsmanship
Seven stages.No hurry in any of them.
01
Reading the hide
Every hide is unrolled and read before it is cut. Tight back grain becomes structure; the softer belly becomes movement. Scars stay if they carry character; weaknesses never pass the table.
02
Cutting
Panels are cut by knife against brass templates worn smooth by years of use. A single Madras Tote comes from one hide, so the grain flows unbroken around the body.
03
Skiving & assembly
Edges are thinned by hand where panels meet, so seams fold without bulk. Nothing is glued that is not also stitched.
04
Saddle stitching
Two needles cross inside every awl hole. Cut any single stitch and the seam holds. Eleven metres of waxed linen thread go into our largest bag — every metre set by hand.
05
Edge finishing
Edges are sanded, dyed, waxed and burnished — then the cycle repeats, five times. A finished edge should feel like polished stone.
06
Hardware
Solid cast brass only, fastened through leather with saddler's rivets or stitching. New brass is polished, then deliberately dulled one grade. It should whisper.
07
Inspection & signature
The maker who finishes a piece signs against its number in the workshop ledger. If it isn't worth signing, it doesn't leave.