Navayo introduces a new Bosca leather. It is similar to, and also different from, our other signature leathers Old Leather and Dolce in some important ways. The name Navayo translates as "shipyard" from the Italian. The leather is a bit rough and to us it suggests the aprons and mitts used in handling rivets in early 20th century shipyards.
Navayo, like Old Leather and Dolce is made in Italy. It is a vegetable-tanned leather just as are Old Leather and Dolce. Vegetable-tanned refers to how the leather is made prior to the coloring and finishing. Navayo shares all the same favorable ecological characteristics of our other signature leathers. As a "veg-tan" it is also a leather that will wear well and provide a long life for your product. Vegetable tanned leathers tend to "wear in, not out." This simply means that they can last for a long time, and that they age gracefully. Nothing lasts forever, but Navayo meets Bosca's standards for "real leather" and real value over time.
As with Old Leather and Dolce, the color on Navayo is applied to a leather base that is light tan in color. Old Leather and Dolce are both hand-stained leathers. This means that a translucent stain is applied by hand, with a sponge, to the surface of the leather. In the case of Navayo the color is sprayed, rather than sponged.
Dyes coloring Old Leather and Dolce are absorbed into the leather. Navayo is different in that the pigments include some organic oil; the color sits more on top of the leather. The color is still not opaque like cheap leather, but the transparency is reduced by design. The desired result is a leather that has the richness of Old Leather and Dolce, but which has a more matt, or "tough" finish. We chose this technique to add a new feel to our portfolio of leathers.
The selection of hides is a bit less refined and fussy. The quality of the leather is equal to our other Italian veg-tan leathers but includes more markings from nature. Healed scars are occasionally evident in the texture of the leather. This is all a testament to the natural beauty of the incredible material that leather is.
Because the color stays near the surface it may wear thin in some areas. We think that you will like this "worn-in" appearance but if you wish you have several options for treating the leather.
(See our Leather Care section.)