Misty Meadows Leatherworking
The Bulldogger - Western Fender Tote
The Bulldogger - Western Fender Tote
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Looking for your next Western style statement piece that's also super practical?
Dark brown and tan tote made from rich pull-up leather and a unique Western championship fender. Named The Bulldogger as that is the name of the rider who leaps from his horse to wrestle the steer in the event.
The fender used for this bag is from a championship saddle won in a Steer Wrestling competition in 1982 in Fort Defiance, AZ. The fender is beautiful with thick but soft leather and tons of character. The dark brown leather will only gain character as it is used.
The interior is unlined, showcasing the natural suede-like underside of the leather, and allowing the owner to care for the leather in perpetuity, as you would a saddle or any other tack. This bag has a large phone-sized interior pocket and an exterior pocket made from the bottom of the fender. It also has a round clip that will attach to your keychain to keep them from disappearing in the bottom! It measures 13" tall, 14" wide, and 3.5" deep. The straps are 20" long.
The leather in this bag comes form S.B. Foot Tannery, in Red Wing, Minnesota. S.B. Foot Tannery has been producing premium, durable leather for footwear and accessories for over a century. Their commitment to quality and craftsmanship is evident in every hide they produce. They primarily source their cows & hides from within a 100 miles of the tannery. I prefer to utilize US tanneries, particularly ones that rely on US cattle farmers.
Care Recommendations
Care Recommendations
Cleaning: Gently wipe with a soft, dry cloth to remove dust. For a deeper clean, use a leather cleaner suitable for high-quality leather.
Conditioning: Apply a premium leather conditioner periodically to maintain suppleness and prevent drying or cracking. I recommend Effax Leder Balsam. *** Note! Be very careful applying conditioner to ANY gusset. The gusset leather I use is all "new" leather - it may discolor with oil or other agents. If this happens, I recommend applying the product to the entire gusset to ensure an even color when it dries.
Storage: Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Use a dust bag if available to protect it from scratches.
Moisture Caution: A small amount of water won't harm the leather, but if it becomes heavily wet, allow it to air dry naturally and condition it afterward.
NOTE: For any Nubuck leather, ONLY use special nubuck/suede cleaner!!!
Reused Leather
Reused Leather
Each leather piece tells its own story. The reclaimed materials naturally bear marks and imperfections from their storied past, which only enhance the character of this unique bag.
Please note that when you buy an item made of leather, especially reclaimed/upcycled leather, there are differences in color and texture than that of a mass produced, big box store item. This is what gives natural materials their character, and with reclaimed materials, show the love the leather received over decades of use. With new leather (some parts of this item) you may see original differences in the hide which is a reflection of the cow it came from. Colors are different from screen to screen (phones/tablets/computers/etc), and while I do my best to photograph items in natural light, there is always the possibility that your device shows the color differently. I am happy to take additional photos by request.
Craftsmanship
Craftsmanship
100% handmade - from design, cutting, punching, and hand stitching by me in my little workshop in VA. Every bag is unique due to this process, and I only use high quality materials to augment the repurposed saddle leather.
The Saddle Stitch is the stitching method that I utilize, rather than relying on machines or other quicker and more efficient methods. This time-honored method ensures robust construction; even if one stitch falters, the integrity of the seam remains intact, reflecting true artistry and personal dedication. All major luxury brands (Hermes, Gucci, Ferragamo, etc.) use this method to ensure high quality end products.
