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Walden & Bork
Hunters around the world all share a similar dilemma: What to do with all of the game skins and back hides they have accumulated over years of hunting?
It has been said, “A person can see his soul in the campfire.” Walden & Bork, based in the U.S., was conceived around an African campfire several years ago. After five years of soul searching and research, Walden & Bork was formed to provide hunters the opportunity to have tasteful personal accessory items fashioned from their game skins and back hides.
“Up until now, turning your game skins into accessory items that you can actually use in every day life has been difficult if not impossible,” says Gail Sanders, Managing Director of Walden & Bork. “We are hunters too. We too have piles of fine leather hidden away in our home that we didn’t know what to do with...other than having gloves made. And you can only use so many pairs of leather gloves.”
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The idea came to Sanders and her husband, Richard, when they were sitting at the campfire while hunting with Hans Vermaak of Coenraad Vermaak Safaris in South Africa.
“We thought long and hard about it before entering the business. We invested hundreds of hours of research time seeking out competent fine needle craftsmen who could work with game skins and exotic hides and turn out dignified accessories that reflect the respect we both have for the animals we have hunted. We feel strongly that there is a need for our unique
service. We look forward to working with hunters and helping them put their game skins to good practical use.”
Walden & Bork, located in Wisconsin, will transform your game
skins and back hides on a custom order basis into any of dozens of fine
leather personal accessories, including hand made men’s wallets,
lady’s handbags, notebook covers, cigar cases, place mats, tote bags,
fanny packs and many other items.
The Walden & Bork web site explains the ordering and delivery process
in some detail. Their web site also provides useful information on
proper raw skin handling, leather tanning and optimal leather weights for
making personal leather accessories. Tanning company
recommendations, both for here in the U.S. and in Africa are also included
for your reference and convenience.
Ms. Sanders notes that the leather tanning process begins immediately
after an animal is killed.
“You have to be very specific. Before your skinners even begin working on your animal, you must tell them what you want. Some of the most interesting leather parts are often left behind. Zebra leg, for instance...the portion from the knee joint down to the hooves... often
carries the most interesting and intricate patterns for making small items. The same holds true with Ostrich leg leather--a very interesting and unique leather pattern--makes up beautifully. Tell your professional hunter’s crew what you want from the animal before they even begin their work and you won’t be disappointed later when your trophies and leather arrives.”
Ms. Sanders also said to be specific about the color you want your leather tanned.
“If you do not tell the tannery what color you want you will most often
get a boring dark brown or a dull gray. So be specific. If you
want cognac or green or a bright yellow...you have to tell them what you
want right from the get go.”
Visit Walden & Bork at www.waldenbork.com