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Calavera Tool Works’ Rugged Leather Shop Aprons

Started by industrial designer Michael Williams, Calavera Tool Works is a new company creating products to support craftspeople. They recently rolled out their line of hard-wearing leather shop aprons:

“We feel like the folks building fine furniture and cabinetry deserve gear that’s just as comfortable and durable as the high dollar leather rigs you’ll find on rough framing crews,” the company writes. “Made from extremely tough leather that’s selected for how well it breaks down and molds itself to the wearer, you’ll come to appreciate your Calavera apron as you might a trusted baseball glove or well-broken-in pair of boots.”

There are four different styles, all with nickel hardware, but created for users with differing preferences. Here are the distinctions:

Oil Finished Work Apron. Rugged, oil finished leather work apron that feels broken in right out of the gate. Features 3 hard-wearing, adjustable strap options made from the toughest bridle leather we could find. This leather starts out extremely soft, with an immediate broken-in feel and fit. Please be aware that oil-finished leather has the potential to stain light colored clothing due to its varying, but high content of, well… oil.

Veg Tan Work Apron - Mahogany. Tough, veg-tanned leather work apron that’ll start a little stiff, but break in quickly for a perfect fit. Though all our Work Aprons are built to endure years of hard work, the Mahogany has got just a little extra meat on its bones, if you’ll pardon the expression, and is ready to suffer whatever extra special punishment you might dish out.

Oil Finished Bison Work Apron - Sand. Ultra-soft yet incredibly durable American Bison work apron will make you very happy indeed.

Hand Dyed Veg Tan Work Apron - Walnut. We like to take a few liberties with our Walnut Work Aprons, so you can expect that no two are the same and that yours will start off with a character very much its own. Plus, you should probably know that although they start off stiff as a board, they are designed for an easy break-in for many years of comfortable wear.

All four styles come in three different sizes, and since folks can be picky about aprons, Calavera offers three different strap options “made from the toughest bridle leather we could find.”

We took great care in designing each of our strap options, leaving plenty of length and ample points of adjustment, including buckles, post screws, and more. Our aprons are built to be used over a long day’s work, so it’s critical that yours fits just right. We’re pretty sure we got that covered.

Neck Strap: Adjustable ¾" neck strap with quick-release, adjustable 1" belt.

X-Back: For an incredibly comfortable fit, choose the adjustable 1" harness-style straps with quick-release.

Y-Back: Combines the comfort of the harness style straps with a sturdy, adjustable belt for a perfect, secure fit.

While the Bison model has the shortest description, it’s apparently the most popular one, or the hardest to source; they’re currently sold out.

Prices run from $140 to $195, and they’re offering a full-refund return policy. “These things ain’t cheap,” they write, “and it’s important to us that you’re able to look back on your investment with excitement and pride for a very long time.”