Before the lengthy tanning process even begins, all hides get properly prepped. Prepping the hides is a 2 day process of rehydrating and removing the hair from the hyde. Excess flesh is removed from the hides then they are cut into 2 sides. After the prepping process the hides are ready for the tannins. Photo credit Wickett and Craig Tanneries use different blends of natural tannins in their recipes. Our tannery uses a blend that includes the bark of Mimosa and Quebracho trees. Once the hides arrive to vats, they will spend 2 weeks soaking in the tanning liquor, which...

The sweet smell of barbecue flowing in the air as parades fill the streets with the red, white, and blue.  Not a seat to be sat during the Seventh Inning Stretch and the horizon would illuminate with fireworks for miles.  Spending time with loved ones over laughter and joy.  These are just a few customs I look forward to every year in the celebration of our Independence.  With all these fun filled activities, it’s easy to get sidetracked from the true meaning of the 4th.  On this day in 1776, our Committee of Five adopted the Declaration of Independence to...

All Thirteen50 Leather goods are made from the highest quality full-grain vegetable tanned leather, sourced 100% from the United States.  Vegetable tanned leather contains natural oils and additional oils/greases which are stuffed throughout the tanning process.  From our manufacturing process (cutting, edging, stamping, and handling), and customer day-to-day wear and tear these oils begin to dissipate, and therefore we can’t stress the importance of proper care and conditioning on all full-grain vegetable tanned leather products.  There is no cookie-cutter way to care for your leather but the best way we’ve found to care for veg-tanned leather goods is to create a...

The personal satisfaction you receive when a vision turns into a reality is truly incredible.  Building anything from start to finish is just about as rewarding as it gets.   Whether it’s a piece of IKEA furniture or a giant 20-year home rebuild, everyone needs to feel this satisfaction. My vision started as a young 15-year-old boy with hopes to one day be cruising around in a fully rebuilt 1965 Toyota Landcruiser.  Originated from Japan, the original Toyota Landcruiser was actually modeled and reverse engineered after the iconic American Jeep.  After a decade of refining, the truck grew into a sturdy...

I feel now a days its hard to find a quality item that TRUELY is built to last.  Many products now a days are built to fail over time for the pure fact that you'd have to spend more money to buy another one once it breaks.  Driven by money, a strange evolution has taken place in the past century and we (the consumers) just feel this is "normal" for things to break over a short period time.  Well i'm here to tell you it doesn't have to be.   I have operating antiques all over my house, some of...

The Thirteen50 team launched a game changer last week.  Introducing “The Briefcase”, a bag that will outlast you and you’ll be able to pass down to your grandchildren.  This bag was designed keeping both quality and style in mind and it was absolutely nailed.  Made from thick Full Grain Vegetable Tanned Leather, this bag will only look better with time.  Natural handling, sunlight and oils will give this bag beautiful patina and a one of a kind character as time passes.  Over a year ago, the Thirteen50 Team started designing test bags to put our designs to the test.  We...