"Which is better, bridle leather or Buttero?"

We often receive this question from customers.

At Munekawa, we use Buttero as our regular leather material, and often produce limited edition items with bridle leather. Because of this, some people might have the impression that "bridle leather is more luxurious and a better quality leather."

Both bridle leather and Buttero are leathers that Munekawa has used for a long time. In conclusion, neither is superior in quality to the other. They are both excellent leathers with unique characteristics.

If you choose based on "which is better leather," you'll never find an answer. If you shift your perspective to "which suits me now," choosing becomes an enjoyable process instead of a悩 (deliberation).

Characteristics of Buttero and Bridle Leather

Buttero

Buttero is a leather characterized by its translucent color, typical of genuine leather made with vegetable tanning, and its moist, soft touch due to the oil it contains.

It ages quickly, and you can see the luster increasing soon after you start using it.

While Buttero originally has a matte texture, the Buttero used by Munekawa is given an original high-temperature, high-pressure press treatment. This not only compacts the fibers and increases strength, but the applied heat also gives the surface a natural luster.

Munekawa has been using Buttero for many years, and with every touch, we feel "this is good leather." We are confident in delivering this leather in terms of texture, color, strength, and aging.

We particularly recommend Buttero to those who "don't know which leather to choose" or are "using leather products for the first time."

Bridle Leather

Bridle leather is also made using the vegetable tanning method, like Buttero, but its main characteristic is the application of wax during the finishing stage.

This wax is applied to enhance the leather's strength, and the white powdery substance that appears on the surface when the wax hardens is called "bloom."

Bridle leather was developed for use in horse tack, such as reins, and is known as "leather with extremely high strength."

However, even though it was developed for horse tack, the bridle leather used for small leather goods is sometimes processed to be softer. Therefore, it's not the case that "bridle leather is overwhelmingly superior to Buttero" in terms of strength.

The surface of bridle leather is hard and relatively resistant to scratches compared to Buttero, but Buttero is more elastic, making it stronger against tearing. So, each has its own characteristics even in terms of strength.

What Munekawa "Changes" and "Doesn't Change"

Leather products are skived and their thickness adjusted according to their purpose and parts before being tailored. At Munekawa, even for products with the same design, if the leather changes, we usually re-evaluate this adjustment.

When Munekawa produces the same product with bridle leather, we leave it slightly thicker than Buttero to take advantage of the hard and firm characteristics of the leather.

On the other hand, the design of the storage, structure, and stitching are all the same as the Buttero version.

Regardless of which leather you choose, the usability remains unchanged. Because there's no need to worry about functionality, you can purely choose based on your preference for the leather.

Buttero vs. Bridle Leather: 4 Perspectives for Choosing

Now, let's look at 4 perspectives for distinguishing between Buttero and Bridle leather. All of these are things we actually tell our customers in the store. Instead of thinking "which is superior," try to think about "which suits me now."

1. Preference for Color and Appearance

If you prefer a translucent color where the dye shows through, Buttero is recommended. If you are drawn to the deep, subdued colors with bloom, bridle leather is the way to go.

2. Preference for Touch

Do you like the moist, familiar feel when you hold it? Or do you prefer the hard, firm, and resilient feel? Since it's an item you handle every day, whether it "feels right" when you touch it is an important criterion for choosing small leather goods.

3. Clothing and Usage Scenes

If you often wear jackets, the substantial and elegant look of bridle leather might be a good fit. If you often spend your days in casual clothes or light attire, enjoying the rich colors of Buttero as an accent might be a good idea.

However, this is not a hard and fast rule. Combining the vibrant colors of Buttero with a suit is also wonderful, and carrying bridle leather on your days off is also stylish. Think of it casually, as a matter of your mood for the day.

4. How to Enjoy Aging

Buttero is suitable for those who want to quickly feel the change, while bridle leather is for those who want to nurture it slowly over time. With bridle leather, the process itself, from the bloom gradually disappearing to the emergence of luster, becomes an enjoyment.

All Bridle Leather: Classic Staples with a Different Look

At Munekawa, we produce a limited edition "All Bridle Leather" series, featuring classic products crafted entirely from bridle leather. Here are two examples. Both are popular classic shapes, but with a different leather, you can enjoy a distinct ambiance.

[Limited Edition] Card Case “Through” / All Bridle Leather

This card case is made from bridle leather from THOMAS WARE & SONS, a long-established British tannery with over 170 years of history.

The design allows business cards to be smoothly removed from the flap pocket, and the main and sub pockets combined can hold approximately 45-50 cards, just like the classic "Through." Because it's an item you handle in business situations like exchanging business cards, the firm and elegant appearance of bridle leather is a perfect match.

[Limited Edition] Bifold Wallet with Coin Pocket “Feel Coin” / All Bridle Leather

This luxurious bifold wallet uses the same bridle leather not only for the exterior but also for the interior.

The storage design is the same as the classic "Feel Coin," with 7 card slots for approximately 10 cards, a coin pocket for about 25-35 coins, and space for about 25 bills. Because of its basic shape, the chic and high-quality appearance of bridle leather stands out even more.

By combining the classic "bifold wallet" shape with bridle leather from TW&S, a historic British tannery, this bifold wallet has achieved a regal demeanor.

If You're Undecided, Choose What Suits Your Current Mood

If you're still undecided, please visit the Munekawa direct store in Daikokucho, Osaka, and pick up the real thing. The expression of the bloom and the firm texture are much more eloquent in person than in photos. On the online store, you can view detailed photos of the colors and textures on each product page.

Inquiries by email and visits to the direct store are both very welcome. We look forward to serving you.

▶︎Click here for details on the Munekawa direct store in Daikokucho, Osaka
▶︎Click here to contact us