01 — The Design
Every Explorer Leather piece begins with a design developed and tested in our workshop.

Every product we make is designed by us, from the initial idea through to the finished piece. Designs often go through several versions as we refine the shape, proportions and functionality.

We make and test each design ourselves before it becomes part of our collection. Once we are happy with the final design, we create a durable template which is then used to accurately mark and cut each piece of leather.

This process allows us to make sure that every design works as it should before we put it into production, while keeping the quality and attention to detail that we expect from everything we make.

03 — Preparing the Details Skiving, creasing, bevelling and burnishing happen before much of the wallet is even assembled. These are the quiet details that give the finished piece its refinement.

Once the individual pieces have been cut, there are still several stages to complete before we begin assembling the product.

Depending on the design, this can include skiving sections of the leather, edge creasing, bevelling and burnishing. Each stage has its own purpose and helps to refine the leather, creating cleaner edges, better proportions and a more considered finish.

These are often the parts of the process that take the most time, but we believe they are worth it. It is the small details and the care taken at each stage that ultimately bring a piece together and give it the finish we are looking for.

05 — Saddle Stitching Every stitch is made by hand using two needles and a single length of  thread. No sewing machine.

Every piece we make is meticulously stitched by hand. It is a slower and more deliberate process than machine sewing, but it is an important part of the way we make our products. For us, good craftsmanship is about taking the time to do things properly.

We use the traditional saddle stitch, a time-honoured technique that has been used in leatherwork for generations. Using two needles and a single length of thread, each stitch is passed through the leather individually to create a strong, secure and durable seam.

Before stitching, we use French-style pricking irons with a 3.38mm spacing to carefully mark each stitch by hand. These markings guide every stitch, allowing us to achieve the clean, even spacing that is such an important part of a well-made leather piece.

We use high-quality linen thread, which is coated with beeswax before stitching. The wax helps strengthen and protect the fibres, while allowing the thread to pass smoothly through the leather and helping each stitch settle securely into place.

There are no shortcuts in this part of the process. Each stitch is made by hand, one after another, with care and attention to detail. It takes considerably longer than machine sewing, but that time is reflected in the finished piece.

For us, hand stitching is more than simply a way of joining leather. It is part of the tradition, character and craftsmanship that goes into every piece we make.