Full Grain Podcast with Nick Horween and Phil Kalas
For leather nerds! The finest leather, boots, shoes, bags, raw denim, drinks, watches, and more. Leather tannery veterans Nick Horween (5th generation, Horween Leather) and Phil Kalas (Founder, Ashland Leather) cover manufacturing, leather, boots, denim, everyday carry and the talented people who are creating the world's finest products. Get the inside scoop and a greater understanding for high quality goods with a new episode released every week.
Episodes
69 episodes
The Business of Luxury Shoes: Inside Leffot with Steven Taffel
In this episode of the Full Grain Podcast, we sit down with Steven Taffel, the founder of Leffot—one of the world's premier destinations for fine footwear located in the heart of New York City.Steven shares the fascinating origin story ...
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47:39
Schott NYC Owner Reveals: Why We Can't Make Jackets Faster
Why does it take so long to get a premium leather jacket? In this episode, Nick Horween and Phil Kalas sit down with Jason Schott, the 4th generation owner of America’s most iconic leather brand, Schott NYC, to uncover the reality of supply cha...
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1:15:39
Inside Carmina: 6 Generations of Shoemaking
In this episode of the Full Grain Podcast, we sit down with Carmina Albaladejo from the legendary Mallorcan brand, Carmina Shoemaker. With a history spanning six generations, Carmina has set the gold standard for high-quality footwear, but they...
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1:18:07
Patina Thunderdome & The World's Best Boot Event BOOT CAMP 2025
Stitchdown Boot Camp is in CHICAGO this year! Ben Robison from Stitchdown tells us why to come and shares some updates about the Patina Thunderdome.https://www.stitchdownbootcamp.com/Get a wallet that is made for patina and is g...
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39:26
Made for the NFL
Dan Rigele is the former plant manager of the Wilson Sporting Goods factory in Ada, Ohio, where NFL footballs have been made for decades.Get a wallet that is made for patina and is guaranteed for life. Ashland Leather has you cove...
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41:56
AI, Architecture, & Craftsmanship: A Designer's Take on the Future - MAKR
Our most listened to guest is back! Jason Gregory from Makr disusses a wide range of topics from inspiration, AI impacts, architecture, creation, and more.This episode of the "Full Grain Podcast" features a conversation with guest Jason...
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1:36:00
Wyatt's Favorite Grant Stone Boots
In this exclusive interview, Wyatt Gilmore, CEO and founder of Grant Stone, shares his honest opinions on various boots and shoes. He's joined by industry titans Nick Horween of Horween Leather and Phil Kalas from Ashland Leather for a deep div...
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Season 1
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Episode 63
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1:37:12
NEW Viberg NYC Store Opening Soon
Get the exclusive scoop! In this interview, we're joined by Brett Viberg and Nick Horween. Brett shares exciting details about the upcoming Viberg NYC store, a major milestone for the brand.You'll hear about the new location at 262 Mott...
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Season 1
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Episode 62
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1:05:44
Q&A Oil-Tanned CXL & Curry Shell Cordovan
Nick Horween and Phil Kalas answer your urgent leather questions!Ashland Leather Everyday Belt in Black Illini Latigo: https://ashlandleather.com/products/everyday-belt-blackGet a wallet that is made for patina and is guaranteed...
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Season 1
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Episode 61
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1:00:06
Skip Horween Explains Latigo, Illini Latigo, California Tanneries
Skip Horween describes Horween's Latigo and Illini Latigo variants. Illini Latigo's originates as Horween's version of California Latigo and is best used in belts, straps, and harnesses. Ashland Leather Everyday Belt in Black Illin...
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Season 1
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Episode 60
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33:43
Nick (Stridewise) & Nick (Horween) Discuss Environmental Impact
Nick English (Stridewise) and Nick Horween (Horween Leather) discuss regulations and environmental impact of tanneries. Leather Working Group (LWG) audits and rates tanneries for responsible production and sourcing.https://www.ashlandle...
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Season 1
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Episode 59
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40:22
Wine Tasting for Leather - Live at Stitchdown Boot Camp 2024
Our first ever in-person podcast at Stitchdown's Boot Camp 2024 in Brooklyn, NYC. Nick Horween (Horween Leather) and Phil Kalas (Ashland Leather) explain everything you need to know about leather in under 1 hour.https://www.ashlandleath...
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Season 1
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Episode 58
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53:06
Leather. And Why it's Still Good.
Nick investigates the question of "why does leather stay relevant in some places and go away in others?". Also discussed: Leather care and Stitchdown Patina Thunderdome & Boot Camp NYC 2024.https://www.ashlandleather.com/https:/...
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Season 1
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Episode 57
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41:01
EP56: Q&A NEW Horween Leather Aspen, Waterproof CXL, Farm Boots
Nick and Phil answer your most pressing leather questions from YouTube. Leave your questions for us in the comments.https://www.ashlandleather.com/https://www.horween.com/https://linktr.ee/fullgrainpodcastGet a walle...
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Season 1
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Episode 56
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50:26
EP55: Skip Horween Leather Industry & Trade Shows
All Horween takeover. Nick and Skip Horween discuss the leather industry and trade shows.https://www.ashlandleather.com/https://www.horween.com/https://linktr.ee/fullgrainpodcastGet a wallet that is made for patina a...
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Season 1
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Episode 55
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52:29
EP54: Why is shell cordovan so expensive!?
Nick Horween explains why shell cordovan (and leather in general) is expensive. Cost breakdown includes hides, material, labor, regulations and more.https://www.ashlandleather.com/https://www.horween.com/https://linktr.ee/fu...
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57:55
EP53: Horween SHUTDOWN & Maintaining a 100+ Year-Old Leather Tannery
Every year Horween performs scheduled maintenance on many pieces of equipment that are over 100 years old.https://www.ashlandleather.com/https://www.horween.com/https://linktr.ee/fullgrainpodcastGet a wallet that is ...
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Season 1
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Episode 53
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44:15
EP52: Nick's Handmade Boots & Horween Leather Co. Discuss Shell Cordovan
Shuyler Mowe (Nick’s Handmade Boots) and John Culliton (Horween Leather Sales) talk with Nick about boots, leather, challenges and more.https://nicksboots.com/https://www.ashlandleather.com/https://www.horween.com/ht...
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Season 1
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Episode 52
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1:29:57
EP51: ICON 4x4 Jonathan Ward
Jonathan Ward (ICON 4x4) is an industrial designer and bespoke crafter of vehicles, clothing and leather goods. Jonathan shares his approach and philosophy when making things, and teaches us the importance of being passionate about what you do....
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Season 1
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Episode 51
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1:50:31
EP50: Horween Leather Tanner Explains Leather Finishing
Horween Tanner, Esteban Perez, explains drying methods and leather finishing.https://www.ashlandleather.com/https://www.horween.com/https://linktr.ee/fullgrainpodcastGet a wallet that is made for patina and is guaran...
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Season 1
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Episode 50
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1:29:16
EP49: Boot-Wearing Guide to Horween Leather
Stitchdown's writer, Zaid Hintzman, asks the best questions for boot fans interested in Horween leather. Nick and Phil explain the features and characteristics in many Horween leathers including shell cordovan, Horsebutt veg, CXL, Predator and ...
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Season 1
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Episode 49
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1:43:17
EP48: Leather Tanning 101
Horween Tanner, Esteban Perez, explains leather tanning and retanning. Leave your tanning and finishing questions in the YouTube comments.https://www.ashlandleather.com/https://www.horween.com/https://linktr.ee/fullgrainpodc...
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Season 1
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Episode 48
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1:12:37
EP47: Dean Delray, Leather Jackets, Stand-Up Comedy
Dean Delray is a stand-up comedian, podcaster, design lover and jacket collector.https://www.deandelray.com/https://www.instagram.com/deandelray/?hl=enhttps://www.ashlandleather.com/https://www.horween.com/https:...
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Season 1
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Episode 47
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1:26:49
EP46: Q&A Chromepak vs. CXL, Horween Pinnacle, Coffee Tanning, Why Pit Tan?
Nick Horween and Phil Kalas answer your most pressing leather questions.https://www.ashlandleather.com/https://www.horween.com/https://linktr.ee/fullgrainpodcastGet a wallet that is made for patina and is guaranteed ...
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Season 1
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Episode 46
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53:41
EP45: Shell Cordovan, Dublin, Essex, Pit Tanning, Tree Barks
Nick and Phil explore the similarities and differences of Shell Cordovan and Horween’s Essex leather. Both leathers are tanned using the same blend of tree barks. Horween’s Essex leather can also be finished into other products including Horwee...
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Season 1
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Episode 45
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1:06:40