Personalised Leather Bound Journal

22.5 x 16.5cm (A5)

This re-fillable journal came about as a collaboration between two traditional skills - the leatherworker and the bookbinder. The leather binding is made carefully by hand using a naturally tanned leather. This binding is far too good to be used only once so we make this special writing book refillable so you can use the binding again and again, the leather becoming more beautiful with time.

The Leather Bound Journal is handmade in Dartington South Devon by traditional leather craftspeople using either Italian cowhide, or Devon leather sourced from a local tannery. The hides are aniline dyed which, like stain on wood, lets the grain and all its natural imperfections show through. No two are exactly the same.

Tanner Bates products are different. We are hand makers, leather specialists, a small business of 3 makers - all apprentice trained in our Devon workshop. Our roots are in traditional equestrian leatherwork and our techniques and hand tools are the same as those used by saddlers and bridlemakers for generations.

We pay attention to details especially our edges which are sanded, sealed and burnished. This edging detail, which can only be achieved by hand with time and concentration, is only found on traditional hand made leatherwork. This technique and the quality of our leather is what makes Tanner Bates products different from other mass produced and factory made items.

The Italian full grain bark tanned leather is crafted in Florence by artisan tanners. At this family owned tannery they still practice the ancient method of tanning with bark from mimosa and chestnut trees rather than chemicals to slowly transform the hides into leather. The slow process of bark tanning yields a leather with a smell and patina reminiscent of a time past.

The Devon oak bark tanned hides are sourced from a tannery local to our workshop. Oak Bark Tanned Leather has a long tradition in this country which modern industry has left far behind. There is, however, one tannery left nestling in the Devon hills powered by a waterwheel producing the very best bridle and harness leather using oak bark from the Lake District. Oak bark contains the necessary tannins to transform Devon cowhides into leather. Just 3 things, oak bark, Devon river water and time produce a very special leather that is prized throughout the world. No chemicals are used in this process.

Natural leather will be kept in good supple condition and last longer if it is treated from time to time with a good quality Hide Food and dressed with a liquid wax. Polish with a horsehair brush.