Handcrafted Leather. Built to Last a Lifetime.

At ThickHide Leather Co., every piece begins the same way — with a slab of full-grain leather, a set of well-worn tools, and a commitment to doing things the right way.

The Story Behind the Workshop

ThickHide Leather Co. was founded by Frank Schmitz with a simple belief: the things we carry every day should be made to last. Frustrated by mass-produced goods that fall apart within a year, Frank taught himself traditional leatherworking techniques and never looked back.

What started as a personal project quickly became a passion — and then a craft. Today, every item that leaves the ThickHide workshop is cut, stitched, and finished by hand, one piece at a time.

The Materials We Use

We source only premium full-grain and vegetable-tanned leathers — the highest quality hides available. Unlike corrected-grain or bonded leathers, full-grain leather retains the natural surface of the hide, making each piece unique and allowing it to develop a rich patina over time.

Our hardware is solid brass or stainless steel. Our thread is waxed linen, hand-stitched using the saddle stitch method — the same technique used by craftsmen for centuries, and far stronger than any machine stitch.

The Craftsmanship Process

Every ThickHide piece is made to order in our workshop. Here's what goes into each one:

• Cutting — Each panel is hand-cut from a full hide, carefully selected for grain consistency and quality.
• Skiving & Edging — Edges are thinned, beveled, and burnished by hand for a clean, professional finish.
• Stitching — We use the two-needle saddle stitch, hand-pulled through pre-punched holes for even tension and maximum durability.
• Finishing — Edges are burnished with beeswax and tokonole. Surfaces are conditioned and inspected before shipping.

Why It Matters

A ThickHide piece isn't just a wallet or a bag — it's something you'll use every day for years, maybe decades. It will soften with use, darken with time, and carry the marks of your life. That's not wear and tear. That's character.

We stand behind everything we make. If something isn't right, we'll make it right.

Get in Touch

Have a question about a piece, or interested in a custom order? We'd love to hear from you. Reach out through our contact page — Frank reads every message personally.