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THE D3RIFFS DIFFERENCE – OUR LEATHER

We are thrilled to bring you Riffs, our new version of half chaps, changing the quality, style and functionality of an item that has been around since the 1900’s. d3Riffs takes great pride in hand crafting Designer Half Chaps that will last and that are made with pride and integrity in America. We use only the best leathers, Top Grain Steerhides which are thicker and stronger then the basic cowhide.

Our Tannery

70 years in business

d3Riffs Designer Chaps utilizes old tanning process with USA Tannery

We took over a year finding the proper tannery and working with them closely to come up with a propriety tanning process that allows our d3Riffs leather to be very strong, thick, and durable yet supple and comfortable. All d3Riffs Steerhide originate from the US. Our Tannery is one of the oldest in the United States and has been using the same proven tanning process for over 70 years.

It all starts with our leather

D3Riffs only uses high quality 5.5 – 6 oz Top Grain Steerhide with specific tanning requirements for all of our half chaps.

Our difference is in our leather

D3Riffs proprietary tanning processes finishes our leather into a thick, strong and durable yet supple and comfortable quality leather for our half chaps. We do not buy our leather off the rack, we produce our own!

Top grain leather is the top cut of the hide which is the strongest and most valued and expensive piece of leather. Initially, the hide is very thick and sliced into two layers – the bottom cut or inner grain cuts are called splits. Splits have no natural grain so it is either embossed and processed to mock a finished leather or processed into suede. The split is inferior both in thickness, fiber strength and durability and is typically found in less expensive garments and cheaper upholstery. We do not use splits, we only use top grain leather! Top grain leather refers to the best most desirable cut of the hide as explained above but Tanneries have to determine whether or not the top grain hide can be tanned and finished in its natural state or “corrected” as a way of removing or reducing excessive natural markings including bug bites, scratches, deep scars and brands to name a few.

Full grain leather is 
top grain leather in which the surface of the hide has not been altered in any way except for the removal of hair. Natural markings on the skin such as scratches or stretch marks are visible but are not excessive or unsightly and are considered the “signature of fine leather.”

Top grain corrected leather has been “corrected” through sanding away natural markings and major blemishes on the surface. Once the surface is uniform it is pressed or embossed typically back into a uniform natural grain. This is generally the most widely utilized type of processing of Top Grain leather.

Milling Drum

Chrome Tanning / Fully struck through is a process in which hides are immersed in a large rotating drum, soaked with aniline dye and tumbled allowing full penetration until the dies are completely absorbed through the pores and fibers of the hide. Also referred to as “struck through leather.” This process is important to hold color all the way through the leather and also prevents the dye bleeding onto your clothing. The hides are then tumbled or “milled” in a large wooden drum to produce a supple and pliable leather. We do not use alternate less expensive process: Leather that has been sprayed with a coloring and coating on the surface with pigments dispersed in film-forming chemicals called binders. This less expensive process tends to lose its color when scratched or damaged and does not last for a long period of time.

Nubuck is a top grain leather whose surface has been buffed and brushed to create a soft, suede like look and feel. Nubuck is much stronger and durable than suede but does not have the wear and stain resistance common to other top grain leathers.

Owner and designer of d3Riffs Designer Half Chaps in her candy store

Patina is a natural coloration that develops on full aniline and nubuck leather through the absorption of body oils that can darken and enrich the character of the leather over time.

Natural Markings are healed scars, scratches, insect bites, fat wrinkles and other markings common to cow hides. These markings are often visible in full grain leather and considered by many as the true sign of premium leather.

d3Riffs Designer Half Chaps are made with custom leather

Daytona Brown Leather, custom texture and color

Embossed leather is a process where the hide is stamped or rolled under great pressure to create a new grain on the surface. Pebble grain may be the most common example but can include countless faux animal prints, designs and natural grains meant to mimic the original grain of the hide. Embossing is typically applied to corrected grain leather.

ABOUT OUR RIFFS LEATHERS

Black Riffs are made with strong Top Grain solid 5.5 oz steerhide from the USA. Our tanning process is called Chrome tanning or struck through. This means the color is completely through the hide. These half chaps are strong, protective and durable yet supple, comfortable and maintains color and shape through the years.

SnakeBite Riffs: The rich satin finish of this dark brown chap *patinas up with a beautiful cordovan hue and break in like an old baseball glove. They are made with a beautiful *Full Grain solid 5.5 oz steerhide from the USA.. These half chaps are strong, protective, durable and very comfortable while maintaining color and shape through the years.


 

Daytona Brown Riffs: Embossed with a distinct texture, These unique half chaps are made with a beautiful Top Grain solid 5.5 oz steerhide from the USA. Strong, protective and durable yet supple, comfortable and maintains color and shape through the years.

d3Riffs Designer Half Chaps in Daytona Brown

Kodiak Riffs: The Nubuck-buffed leather finish of this sandy brown half chap has a very rugged look. Taking on wear, this leather patinas changing to a mix of darker colors and scaring through time. Made with a beautiful Top Grain solid 5.5 oz steerhide from the USA. Strong, protective, durable and very comfortable.

Roadhouse Riffs: The lightly Nubuck-buffed leather is embossed with a distinct texture. These half chaps are a unique mixture of brown color tones. They are made with a beautiful Top Grain solid 5.5 oz steerhide from the USA. Strong, protective, durable and milled a bit softer, they break in with a popular relaxed sag look.
d3Riffs Designer Half Chaps in Roadhouse Leather

Free Range Bison: This deep rich Chocolate color with a splash of Maroon undertone and distinct natural markings makes for a pair of half chaps or Spats from the old west. Considered by many as the true premium leather of the West, This Full Grain solid 5.5 oz Bison is  milled to a supple, solid waxy finish. Our Free Range Bison is from the USA free of hormones and antibiotics and left to roam without shelter like nature intended thus producing a hardy, durable leather.

d3Riffs Designer Half Chaps in Free Range Bison Leather

Black Gator Top Riffs are made with supple Black Top Grain 4.5 oz steerhide from the USA. Enhanced with black embossed Alligator tops for a touch of class. These half chaps are strong, protective and durable and vey comfortable.

d3Riffs Designer Half Chaps in black leather with black gator top

Brown Gator Top Riffs are made with supple Black Top Grain 4.5 oz steerhide from the USA. Enhanced with brown embossed Alligator tops for a touch of class. These half chaps are strong, protective and durable and very comfortable.

d3Riffs Designer Half Chaps in black leather with brown gator top