Hobson's choice

[DWFII]

[I would like to make note, right at the beginning, that this is not a criticism of anyone's personal point of view nor is it specifically in response to any particular post--although sometimes one thing can lead to another. It is, in my mind and my intention, more in the way of an essay or a thought exercise.]

For literally hundreds of thousands of years human beings have used the resources that the natural world made available to them and which came easily to hand. It seems as if the Creator thoughtfully provided just about everything necessary to survive. In utilizing these resources, human beings naturally came to understand the unity of all things, the harmony of existence, and the way in which we fit into the skein of life.

We were born and we died. We killed and were often killed. We ate animals and we used every portion of the creature that we had killed. Fur, leather, bones, hooves, teeth, ligaments, even the offal--the intestines.We were part of the eco-system and the cycle of life. We still are.

Many of these processes and the resulting by-products are still used today and are still considered the best solution to the needs of human existence. Wood, leather, natural fibers and even fur are are but a few examples.

Having said all that, I am a shoemaker--a Trade that is thousands of years old. It is a skill set that by virtue of its antiquity alone may confer a unique perspective that is germane to the issue at hand...

The simple fact is that no other product can replicate the marvelous and singular attributes of leather...and any product (faux leather, faux fur) that claims to is almost always so divorced from the web of life as to actually be harmful to life itself.

Almost without exception, products that are offered as substitutes for leather or fur are manufactured from fractionings of the petro-chemical industry. People don't often think through the consequences that proceed from that fact. One can make a case that the petro-chemical industry bears a great deal of the responsibility for pollution and the degradation of the environment. It follows then, that for every faux leather (or fur) sporran manufactured, or made DIY, damage is done to the environment that nature is not equipped to easily erase.

And to what end--shall we save a fox and destroy a forest? Where is the harmony?

Moreover, for every faux leather shoe, or belt, or handbag that is manufactured, or made DIY, a further demand is created. And not just for more faux leather...often for the real thing as well. If only for the simple reason that no manufactured product can reproduce the attributes and characteristics of the real thing. Characteristics that resonate with us as human beings. This isn't just a matter of vanity...it is a matter of durability, of utility, and of suitability to purpose. If faux leather were as good as real leather, it wouldn't have to masquerade as leather.

And if vanity is the only issue, or even the central issue, the case can be made even more strongly against faux or "Vegan" substitutes for leather and fur. At bottom, they all seek desperately to emulate real leather and fur...and to what purpose? Vanity...all is vanity.

For some (myself included)...the logical conclusion is that if you find yourself morally opposed to using real leather, then the same, if not stronger constraints ought to apply to faux leathers.

[Ozman1944]

Leather is certainly more environmentally friendly compared to synthetic materials; also more durable and less costly in the long run. Real fur is often critical in feeezing weather situations; but I wouldn't personally wear it just to satisfy fashion.

However, I'm neither a Vegetarian nor a Vegan, so am not troubled about leather. But I do have reservation about killing for fur just for vanity's sake rather than practical need. But that's just me. Others feel quite differently, I'm sure.

[Riverkilt]

I love leather, because of its delicious smell, its sensual feel, its attractive look, its quality, its value, and its heritage.

I own two leather kilts. I own a lot of leather boots, leather jackets, leather belts, leather sporrans, leather sporran belts, leather gloves, leather shoes, leather hats, leather holsters, leather pouches, and a full hair on leather buffalo robe to sleep on in the summer and under in the winter.

If I could afford more leather goods I would buy them...I don't believe I have a fetish since leather, other than the buffalo robe, isn't part of my loving times with my lady. I do believe I have a very strong primal attraction to leather. I enjoy that primal connection.

I wish someone were able to do a thermal study of a wool kilt vs a leather kilt in cold foul weather. Be an interesting study for sure.


My brown leather Utilikilt


My saffron leather RKilt

Sure, leather kilts are expensive. But they're also bulletproof and functional and reek of value....and hopefully, style and class.

Ron

[Carolina Kiltman]

I love leather, because of its delicious smell, its sensual feel, its attractive look, its quality, its value, and its heritage.

I wish someone were able to do a thermal study of a wool kilt vs a leather kilt in cold foul weather. Be an interesting study for sure.

Sure, leather kilts are expensive. But they're also bulletproof and functional and reek of value....and hopefully, style and class.

Ron

Like you, I love leather in all forms. It just a guess on my part, from wearing leather jackets in all kinds of weather, leather, by itself, isn't very warm. Another layer, fleece, wool, silk, even cotton, will give the garment the air-trapping needed for warmth. The leather is beautifully wind-proof, and if oiled properly, water resistant as well.

I remember my late Father-in-Law was very opposed to buying his seed corn in the then new olefin fibre bags instead of burlap. His main objection was the disposal problem. The burlap, he would split, lay it flat in the fence row, and by harvest time, very little would be left. The olefin stuff, probally would out outlast the pyramids, and as we know now, if burned, gives off toxic fumes.

I am a great fan of natural fibre. Yet, I have to admit, that the synthetics do have their place in the scheme of things too.

[turpin]

I make sporrans. After about 18 months of doing so, my basement greets me with a wonderful aroma as I descend into the LaSporratory. I love how malleable and generally forgiving it can be, and the varieties of character it takes depending on the tannage.

Yes, I wear athletic shoes when I'm exercising and they are made of synthetics. Yes, my UK mockers and Alphakilt are polycotton. I put my kids' lunch in baggies. We live in a world where petroleum products are probably more common than the original natural materials we evolved using. But that makes the "leather experience" all the more sensual and precioussssss.

[DWFII]

I am a great fan of natural fibre. Yet, I have to admit, that the synthetics do have their place in the scheme of things too.

I know what you are saying...I see it, I've lived it (and I am a bit ashamed of it)...but I can't really agree with the premise. So just for counter-point purposes, let me remark:

Like most people, I probably use my share of synthetic materials...and probably without much thought. But when I really get to thinking about it, I'm not sure any synthetic has a "place in the scheme of things" without having displaced some thing or some material that was just as suitable to the purpose (or at least adequate).

The major impulse behind synthetics replacing natural materials is cost of production. It's cheaper. Not necessarily better...nor better suited to the job, just cheaper...or so it appears. And ninety-nine percent of the time, synthetics are modeled, functionally, after the resources they replace...meaning a bag is a bag be it burlap or olefin.

When you accept that, and I think we must for the most part, then the next question is necessarily "what are the drawback of synthetics?" Given that they do indeed model older and admittedly more expensive materials, the answer may not be readily apparent...but it is there all the same. Truth to tell, if a synthetic bag creates environmental degradation, eco-system crisis, or just nearly eternal nuisance, then the costs..especially those we pass on to succeeding generations...may be even higher than going back to more natural products that seem, at first blush, to cost more to harvest and utilize.

For most of the synthetics that I am aware of the only "place in the scheme of things" that I can envision with any certainty is in landfills and estuaries and coral reefs.

[george7]

I'm not making an argument against leather, but if you are one who prefers a more 'vegan' lifestyle, making something from natural fibers is another good option.

[bigdad1]

As the song and saying goes "to everything there is a season." Throughout history as man has made advancements in technology he has changed what he uses in every day life. From rocks to spears to arrows to flintlocks to rifles to machine guns to atomic weapons. From iron armor to kevlar. Times and conditions change but anyone with a lick of sense knows that there is still a time when the best thing to use for a job is that old tool in the garage. Likewise there are those who will always prefer the smell and texture and utility of leather goods. Also natural fiber clothing will always have its place. The worst thing we can do is to place those personal desires in the same catagory as religons and start a rant against someone who doesn't agree with our point of view. That said my final comment is to each his (or her) own.

[DWFII]

I'm not making an argument against leather, but if you are one who prefers a more 'vegan' lifestyle, making something from natural fibers is another good option.

I have no problem with "vegan" lifestyles...or any choice differing from my own. I do think that to make a choice...any choice...a person needs to be informed, even if it means actively pursuing information. A person needs to make a choice with some deliberation, in other words--think it through and not just subscribe because it sounds good or is politically or philosophically in vogue.

Choosing not to use leather for moral or ethical reasons is no one's business but your own...especially if you recognize the implications in that choice.

But for me...and perhaps only for me...there would be a certain "awkwardness" in deciding to be vegan and then pursuing a substitute for leather--for all the reasons outlined in the original post.

Beyond that, "making something from natural fibers" is indeed a good option. But natural fibers--in the sense of canvas or linen or hemp (leather is actually a fibrous product, as well)--are, at bottom, not the same as leather. None of those "natural fibers"...as good and as useful as they may be...even come close to having the characteristics that have made leather such an enduring and premium product over the thousands and thousands of years it has been in use.

[beloitpiper]

I like this thread.

Leather is great, and I agree with DWFII and georgeblack. If you oppose leather, you should oppose pleather too.