Tusting — Six Generations of English Leather
The Tusting family have been making leather goods in Lavendon, Buckinghamshire since 1875 — six generations of one family in continuous production. Tusting bags and briefcases are cut from the finest English bridle leather, sourced from the J&FJ Baker tannery in Devon, and hand-stitched by craftsmen who have often worked at the factory for decades. The result is luggage built for thirty years of business travel rather than three. English Brands stocks the Wymington, Henley, Langford, Harrold, and Clipper ranges — Tusting's most enduring designs in the colours and leathers that age best.
What we stock
The Tusting range at English Brands covers the brand's classic briefcases and bags:
- Henley Leather Zip Top Briefcase in Dark Brown Bridle and Tan Bridle
- Wymington Briefcase in Tan Miret and Aztec Crazyhorse Bridle Leather
- Harrold Wymington Leather Briefcase in Green and Tan
- Langford Leather Briefcase in Black
- Clipper Leather Satchel in Sundance Floodlight and Sundance with Lichen Waxed Canvas trim
All Tusting bags are made entirely in Lavendon from English bridle leather (or waxed canvas with bridle leather trim where specified). Brass furniture, hand-stitched edges, and English-tanned leather throughout.
Why Tusting
Six generations, one family, one factory — Tusting has been continuously owned and run by the Tusting family since 1875. This continuity is exceptional in British manufacturing — few brands anywhere can claim 150 years of unbroken family production.
English bridle leather — Tusting source their leather from J&FJ Baker in Devon, one of only a handful of remaining oak-bark tanneries in the world. The leather is tanned over 12 months in pits using oak bark, producing a hide that develops a deep, rich patina with age. The result is unmistakably different from chrome-tanned mass-market leather.
Built for decades — Tusting briefcases are designed to develop character over twenty to thirty years of professional use. The brass furniture, the hand-stitched bridle leather, the solid construction all contribute to a piece of luggage that improves with age rather than deteriorating.
Made in Lavendon, every piece — every Tusting bag sold at English Brands is made by hand at the Lavendon factory in Buckinghamshire. No outsourced production, no offshore manufacturing.
Caring for your Tusting
English bridle leather rewards consistent care and develops a remarkable patina:
- Wipe with a soft cloth to remove surface dust and dirt
- Apply leather conditioner every 3-6 months — Saphir Renovateur or Tusting's own care products. The leather will absorb the conditioner and become softer, deeper, and more lustrous.
- Avoid silicone or wax-based products — these can clog the natural pores of the bridle leather
- Store in the dust bag provided when not in use — keep away from direct sunlight which fades and dries the leather
- Allow the patina to develop naturally — scratches and wear marks on bridle leather are not damage; they become part of the bag's character
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Tusting bags made in England? Yes. Every Tusting bag and briefcase is handmade at the Tusting family factory in Lavendon, Buckinghamshire, where the family has been making leather goods since 1875. No Tusting product is made anywhere else.
What is bridle leather? Bridle leather is a particularly thick, dense, and tough leather originally developed for horse tack — bridles, saddles, harnesses. It is tanned slowly using oak bark or vegetable tanning agents (Tusting use the J&FJ Baker oak-bark process), then heavily curried with greases and waxes. The result is a leather that ages exceptionally well, develops deep patina, and remains supple for decades. It is heavier and more substantial than typical bag leather.
Will Tusting leather develop a patina? Yes. English bridle leather is one of the leathers that develops patina best of any in the world. The dark brown and tan leathers in particular will deepen, develop subtle colour variations, and gain a soft sheen over years of handling. The colour you buy is essentially the starting point; the leather will only improve with age.
How long will a Tusting bag last? With proper care and conditioning, a Tusting briefcase or bag should last twenty to thirty years of regular professional use. The leather softens and improves with age; the brass furniture acquires its own patina; the construction is built to outlast any reasonable use case.
Can Tusting bags be repaired? Yes. Tusting offer a repair service for any of their products — re-stitching, replacement furniture, leather conditioning. Send the bag to Lavendon and it returns rejuvenated. Few brands offer this kind of long-term support.
