handmade leather vests - CUSTOM built w/ high quality cowhide leather

leather vests with braiding

All made in the USA using leather that is tanned in the USA

Since the mid 1970's, I have custom designed and built hundreds of leather vests like these. The 4 oz. (weight/thickness) cowhide leather I use is often called chap or moccasin leather. It is made/tanned in the US and it is non-toxic.

I individually design and personally handcraft each of these vests. Everything on my whole web site is truly handmade - no electricity is used in its construction. Patterns are drawn/laid out, then the holes are punched one at a time. I then cut the laces (from the same leather) and braid them\ parts together. All of the sewing (primariy for zippers) is done by hand using 5 ply nylon thread. All the vests are made with features that the buyer has requested ...making them quite different from one another, truly one of a kind custom pieces. None of them have a lining - this makes them very durable and they far outlast any lining I would use with them. The cost of these vests are usually around $1600 - larger sizes, or many/elaborate features, etc. may affect that cost.

I make them with (or without) several different features such as lapels, yokes ...on the front and/or back, different lengths, curves, etc. I've developed a variety of pockets to select from.

I encourage you to read my guest book to see what others have said about the leather goods they have purchased from me.

There are lots of larger views, and/or more pictures found by clicking on the thumbnails. More vests are added to the top of this page every once in a while. At the bottom of this page, I've added a list of some things to consider when ordering a vest. ...Dave

Things to consider when ordering a vest:

(1) Size - a chest measurement. Using a chest measurement is better than a jacket, suit coat size because those sizes can vary from one manufacturer to the next. Another good way to assure the best fit is if a person already has a good fitting vest that can be sent to me to get a pattern from - alterations to that vest can be made. I can return the vest with no damage done to it.

(2) The length is usually a measurement from the base of your neck (where a vest rests) to your belt line.

(3) The colors of leather that I offer - Swatch Card

(4) Do you want lapels or yokes on the front? There are even different kinds of lapels or yokes to consider. Check out close up pictures of these features on vest links above.

(5) Do you want a yoke on the back? A pointed one, double pointed, straight across the back, or chose your own way.

(6) Pockets- Most often, I use a patch pockets. Often they are built with a flap. Most of these patch pockets also have a pocket on the inside - in the same location using the same holes. I also use what I call a slit pocket. I have also built variations of this slit pocket with a flap over it. I may even inquire about the angle a person would like these slit pockets to be on the vest.

There is another style of pockets that I build and call panel pockets on the lower/inside of the front panels.

(7) Vest closures, fasteners, ties, snaps, or a zipper - several are pictured on this page: leather vest closures

(8) When these vests are going to be worn over a jacket, let me know and I will make the arm holes a bit larger and adjust the back of the neck slightly to accommodate.

(9) I make vests with what I call a draft flap (a longer back). Usually, I make them 3" longer. I've made these with different lines across the bottom/back - here is another way that I can make them. These have become quite popular for my vests.

I consider every vest I've made a one of a kind. Even if I had an order to build two vests exactly alike - there would be differences.

I learned about Dave's work about a decade ago and always wanted to get one of his vests. Finally, I contacted Dave back in Sept. 2017. After months of planning, I finally pulled the trigger and ordered my vest from him. Working with him was a pleasure and a great experience. He was accommodating and patient with all my indecision. After much research, I knew what I wanted, and I conveyed it to Dave. A few weeks later, my vest arrived. To be honest, I did not know what to expect. I am short and stocky, and most leather products are not made for my body shape. Hence, my expectations were colored by all my previous disappointments. However, Dave got it right. The vest is thick; it looks like it was made by a viking who hunted and handpicked the best, thickest hide he could find, except for it is much nicer. The craftsmanship is spectacular. Dave's braids catch your eyes from far away. I love this vest, and after owning dozens of leather vests, many of which costed me a pretty penny, I finally have my 'one' vest, which I hope to wear for decades to come. ...Ignacio Riesco from Chile