Welcome to Woodlore, The School of Wildnerness Bushcraft, founded by Ray Mears in 1983.
Woodlore
Bushcraft Tips And Advice
Welcome to the tips and advice section, where we have gathered information on a variety of topics related to Bushcraft and Outdoor Survival.
Caring for your Axe
Caring for your Leather Products
How to Sharpen an Axe
How to use a Fire Stick
Sleeping Bag Comfort Temperatures
What is a bivi bag?
What is fleece?
What is Gore-Tex?
What is wool?
Woodlore's Organic Cotton ClothingCaring for your Leather Products
All of Woodlore’s timeless leather designs are made in-house from vegetable-tanned leathers. With a full natural grain these items have superior qualities and appearance. As the term suggests, vegetable tanning is achieved with the use of the leaves and bark of trees and plants; the hides are immersed in increasingly strong baths of liquor made with the plant material for anything up to 6 months. This gives the typical smell of leather that we all know and love. Unlike chemically tanned leathers, vegetable tannage is not naturally waterproof but provides a good base to which you can apply your own favourite leather treatments to provide protection from the elements. With a little care and attention your leather goods will last for many years.
Each Woodlore leather item is individually hand-crafted with great care and attention to detail. Your leather equipment will become like a part of your own skin, improving with age and with the care you will want to bestow on it, each item will develop its own unique patina.
Threading:
The threads used in Woodlore’s leather products are of a material that is resistant to rotting, so grease or oil-based treatments can be applied without fear of damaging the thread.
New Items:
New items may develop a white appearance on the surface; this is the wax treatment rising to the surface of the leather and can be brushed off with a soft bristle brush.
If wet:
If any of your Woodlore leather products become wet, allow them to dry naturally in an airy place - preferably at room temperature - and away from any direct heat source. Never be tempted to put your leather items on or near a radiator or other heat source, as this will change the nature of the leather and possibly cause irreparable damage. Strong, constant sunlight, such as that on a windowsill or car shelf, should also be avoided.
Feeds & Conditioners:
Feed your Woodlore leather little and often and only ever when dry; if you feed leather wet or damp you will seal in the moisture and cause rotting. All feeds and conditioners should be tested on a small inconspicuous area first. The best type of feed for your Woodlore leather products is one that looks and feels greasy to the touch. Our Leather Worker's personal favourites are Fiebing’s Aussie Leather Conditioner and Effax Leather Balsam. Both products contain oils which sink into the fibres of the leather and leave a wax coating on the surface which helps to repel water.
You need only apply feed to the outer surface of the leather. Apply leather treatments with a sponge or soft, lint-free cloth as per the manufacturer’s instructions. Allow the treatment to penetrate the leather - overnight if necessary - then use a soft brush to remove any residue from the stitch work or crevices before buffing with a soft cloth.
Oils:
You can apply oils to your leather, but it is best to do so sparingly and only if the leather really needs it. Oils may affect the colour of the leather and can leave it looking patchy. Never over-oil or feed your leather; you do not want it to become limp and soggy with grease.
Cleaning:
If you need to clean your Woodlore leather goods, use a saddle soap or proprietary leather cleaner - there are many products such as these available from saddlery shops. Again, a soft, bristled brush can be used to remove any residue of the cleaning product. Remember to allow the leather to dry thoroughly before applying feed, which should be done after cleaning as the process will have removed grease and oil from the leather.
Storage:
Finally, a word about storing your Woodlore leather; natural leather is an ideal food source for mould and mildew in an airless environment, so never wrap any items in plastic for storage. Items stored in drawers and cupboards should occasionally be removed and checked, cleaned if necessary, and thoroughly dried before being replaced.
For an insight into Ray’s ethos on our leather goods, please view our Leather Goods page.