Hand-stitched, one piece at a time
Cut, stitched and burnished by hand from full-grain vegetable-tanned hides. Built to be carried every day, for years.
What goes into every piece
Full-grain hide Vegetable tanned Waxed linen thread Solid brass hardware Hand-finished edgesThe maker
Slow, honest work with materials that get better every year.
Tanbarks started at a single workbench with a round knife, two needles and a stack of offcuts. Every piece is still made the same way: pattern traced by hand, cut from one hide, and saddle-stitched with two needles so a broken thread never unravels the seam.
No glue-only seams, no bonded leather, no shortcuts that show up in year two.
Behind the craft
Every seam is saddle-stitched by hand, every edge sanded, dyed and burnished until it shines.
Custom orders
Choose a starting point. Every package includes a design call and a leather swatch sent before we cut.
Small goods, ready in 2 weeks
Everyday carry, ready in 3–4 weeks
Fully bespoke, ready in 6–8 weeks
The collection
Tanbarks originals, cut from a single hide in small batches, alongside bags we resell from partner makers.
Download the catalogue (PDF)
An open tote cut from one hide, with long handles that sit comfortably on the shoulder. A brass magnetic snap and one inside slip pocket. Fits a 13" laptop, a jumper and the day's shopping.
A zip-top tote with a padded sleeve for a 14" laptop, a zipped inner pocket and two pen loops. Shorter handles carry by hand or on the shoulder.
Curved flap, adjustable strap and a solid brass turn-lock. Fits a phone, wallet, keys and a small notebook.
A rounded sling worn across the chest or over the shoulder. Zipped main compartment, a front slip pocket for your phone and a strap that adjusts with a brass slider.
Just big enough for a phone, cards and keys. A flap with a hidden magnetic closure and a slim strap that can be shortened to wear on the shoulder.
A classic satchel with two buckle straps, a top carry handle and a detachable shoulder strap. Holds a 13" laptop, a notebook and a water bottle.
A soft half-moon bag on a single shoulder strap. Zip top, one inside pocket and edges burnished by hand. Sits neatly under the arm.
A structured top-handle bag with a brass turn-lock and a detachable crossbody strap. Two inside sections keep the essentials apart.
A full-flap messenger for a 15" laptop, with a padded sleeve, organiser pockets and a wide adjustable strap. Closes with a single brass buckle.
A slim zip-top briefcase for a 15" laptop and documents. Twin carry handles, a detachable shoulder strap and a back slip pocket that fits over a suitcase handle.
A felt-lined leather sleeve with a tab closure. Made to the size of your laptop, so it fits snugly with no slack.
A two-to-three night duffel that fits most cabin baggage limits. Full-length brass zip, reinforced base, carry handles and a padded shoulder strap.
A flap-top backpack with two buckle straps, a padded 15" laptop sleeve and padded shoulder straps. Built for daily commutes and short trips.
Eight-card bifold in tan veg-tan with a hand-burnished edge. Darkens to a deep honey within a year of daily use.
Refillable A5 cover with a leather wrap cord. Takes standard notebooks and holds a pen in the spine.
38 mm, 10 oz bridle leather with a removable brass buckle. Sized to your waist and finished with a tapered tip.
The workshop
A small workshop rooted in old saddlery methods and patient, unhurried work.
Who we are
Making leather goods that outlive trends, through good materials, old methods and care.
We work only with full-grain, vegetable-tanned hides: leather that keeps its natural surface and develops a patina as it's used. Tanning with bark and plant extracts takes weeks instead of hours, and the result is firmer, richer and longer-lasting.
Each pattern is drafted on card, tested, and adjusted until the piece sits right in the hand. Seams are pricked with diamond irons and sewn with two needles. Edges are bevelled, sanded, dyed and rubbed with beeswax until they're smooth to the touch.
Whether you're buying your first wallet or commissioning a bag to hand down, we'll walk you through hide, colour and hardware before a single cut is made.
Services
From one-off gifts to pieces made to your exact sizes.
Pick a design from the collection and choose your leather, thread colour and hardware finish.
2–4 weeks
Blind or foil-stamped initials, dates or a small mark, set by hand with brass type.
Add 3 days
A piece drawn from scratch to your sizes, with a design and leather swatch for you to approve before we cut.
6–8 weeks
Recent work
A look at what's left the bench lately: custom orders, small batches and gifts.
A 40-litre travel bag in oxblood bridle leather with a brass zip and a shoe compartment.
2026 Small batchThirty wallets cut from two matched tan hides, each numbered on the inside pocket.
2026 Gift setA matching card holder and key fob in dark brown, stamped with two sets of initials.
2025 Wedding giftTwo 20 mm straps from one shell piece, stamped with the wedding date on the keeper.
2025Have something in mind?
Send a sketch, a photo or just an idea. We reply within two working days with options, a swatch plan and a price.