Why our leather is better than the rest!

Did you know there are hundreds of tanneries in Italy producing leather of varying quality? Did you know that most Italian leather orginates from either Eastern Europe or South America (hides imported and then tanned in Italy)?

The Maxwell Scott vegetable-tanned leather or 'Vera Pelle Italiana Conciata al Vegetale' is not only the most beautiful leather you have ever seen, but it is intended to stand the test of time and last substantially longer than other visually similar equivalents. It has been carefully chosen from one of the finest and most highly renowned tanneries in the whole of Italy. We have a thorough understanding of the tanning process and insist on using only the very finest quality vegetable-tanned leather available from the highly respected Italian Consortium of Leather Tanners.

We only select premium full-grade hides originating from Italy. These are perfectly suited for Maxwell Scott products and are renowned within the industry as the best in the world for this type of job. We do not use chrome or chemically tanned leather, as these are both cheaper in quality and bad for the environment. We also do not use any cheaper, imported second or third grade hides (eg. from Eastern Europe, South America or Asia) that may have been corrected or polished due to flaws and marks. These hides may look similar online and can still be classed as "Italian vegetable-tanned leather", however, they will not offer the same beautiful longevity, characteristics, thickness and durability of true Maxwell Scott Italian hides.

Vegetable tanning takes much longer than other tanning processes, such as chemical or chrome tanning. The vegetable tanning process comprises of a number of complicated stages, carefully handed down over 200 years through generations of Italian artisans in Tuscany. The secret to our exceptional leather lies in the use of tannins, which penetrate deep into the raw hides. These tannins originate from the bark of chestnut trees. Tanning with chestnut bark helps to improve the quality and longevity of the leather and is better for the environment as this process does not involve chemicals. When creating the beautiful appearance of Maxwell Scott leather, there are several additional secret ingredients and processes to take into consideration when tanning. As you can imagine, this is highly classified and sought-after information!

Finally, through use, Maxwell Scott leather will alter beautifully in colour and gain more character while remaining robust and sturdy. Amazingly, this will allow for normal wear and tear scratches to be buffed out effortlessly - a truly unique feature which not many manufacturers can boast about! We want to provide beautiful products which are not only functional, but improve and gain character over time and use. This effect creates a truly exceptional product which only the most prestigious fashion houses choose to utilise.

Old Maxwell Scott Flero Holdall!

My owner, unfortunately, does not look after me and takes my services for granted. I have now been in valuable service for around 9 years and get used intensively. I often get many admiring looks from other travellers and always get asked where I was made. Travelling is my forte and I have been to plenty of amazing countries such as Japan, America, Australia, Cuba, Malaysia, Kenya, Russia and Italy just to name a few. Sometimes if I’m lucky, I get to travel overhead in hand luggage, but far too often I get overfilled and sent down to the baggage section. It doesn’t really worry me, however; these cowboy baggage handlers can sometime be rough – lucky for me that I’m made from this fantastic Maxwell Scott durable full-grain cowhide.

Click here to see our fabulous range of Leather Luggage