how it's made: defy bags bowery tote

With characteristic fatigue—recalling anecdotes from a defining chapter in our nation’s history—authentic military tent canvas is expertly upcycled by Chicago based Defy Bags® for more action.

First and last used in World War II, the material is given an organic bath to remove decades of old must and dust. Pieces are then laid out for pattern cutting—all under the watchful eyes of expert craftspeople.

From the 100 year-old Horween Leather Company, Latigo leather pieces—supple, sturdy cattle hide which is a staple of saddlery and military gear—are used to make the straps and front pocket of the bag. The leather is tanned using centuries old techniques then pattern-cut and stitched to the
bowery tote—all by hand.

One of a Finds original works are offered one time only as a limited edition for collectors and enthusiasts—this hand-crafted bag of repurposed material has a release of 100.

the making of: darjeeling

Since a picture speaks a thousand words in any language, and a “handmade” description doesn’t tell the whole story, the following detail the making of a darjeeling dining table—completely by hand.

The Indian Railways, or IR, is one of the largest networks in the world. Its nearly 1.6 million employees transport 20 million passengers over almost 40,000 miles of tracks through nearly 7,000 stations—everyday.

Railroad ties, or “sleepers”, are approximately 40-50 years old and are being replaced with newer concrete versions.

To make a tabletop, reclaimed ties are planed down to the inner core and joined together in a puzzle fashion. Exposed damage and loose wood is marked, chiseled out, and replaced with smaller pieces.

Tabletops are then re-sanded and the process repeated where gaps appear. Fine gaps are filled with a mixture of blackened glue and sawdust.

Steel T-bar and square tubes are welded together to create the leg assembly and tabletop support. The final finishing stages include grinding the welding for a smoother finish.