Volpi leather is produced with European hides. European hides are desirable because they are not branded (like U.S. and South American hides), have better fiber and have less damage (scratches, insect bites, etc) than hides from the rest of the world. Also, European cattle have hides heavy enough to yield 5.5 mm and heavier leather.
Volpi tans its leather with chestnut tannin. Chestnut tannin, the traditional tannin used in Italy for centuries, produces leather that has very good wear and water resistance.
Our cut soles for shoe repair have an aniline finish, like most Italian soles, and are sold under the brand names of Lyons & Volpi and Cortina. We stock XL half soles in 3.0 to 6.0 mm, giant half soles in 4.5 to 6.0 mm, XL full soles in 7/8 to 11/12 iron, and women’s half soles in 2.5 to 3.5 inch. We also sell 11 inch strips in 5/6 and 6/7 and 13 inch strips in 9/10 and 10/11. We stock, when available, gigantic full soles in 12/13 and 13/14 iron.
Our sole leather bends, which come in three grades, are available in 2.5 to 6.2 mm. Volpi also has a full line of shoulders and double bends in many finishes and colors for making belts, bags and hand goods.
Rocca Concerie is an old tannery from Genoa that Volpi Concerie bought in 1997.
Rocca leather is tanned longer for better wear and water resistance. A longer tanning process also gives the leather a deeper brown color that many of the best shoe makers in the world prefer. This is a full grain leather, meaning there is no finish on the grain.
Rocca leather is available in Super Prime (#1) and Prime (#2) grades. Giant half soles in 3.0 to 6.0 mm, and XL full soles in 7/8 to 11/12 iron. Rocca leather is also available in bends 3.5 to 5.5 mm.
Super Quality leather is made much like the leather produced in America by Howes or Westfield years ago. This is a quebracho-tanned leather. Quebracho tannin, the preferred tannin of the Americas, produces leather that has a lighter reddish tone and firm fiber. This is desirable to boot and shoe makers who need a leather firmer enough to channel knife and hold a stitch.
Super Quality is a full grain leather, no finish. We stock two grades (#1 and #2) of XL half soles in 3.5 to 5.5 mm, Gigantic half soles in 4.5 to 6.0 mm, XL full soles in 7/8 to 10/11 iron, and Gigantic full soles in 9/10 to 11/12. We stock 10/11 insoles for boots and can make insoles in any shape or thickness.
Volpi leather injected with strong, wear-resistant rubber that grips well and will not come unbonded. Sole also will withstand cutting by channel knife. Available in 8/9 and 9/10 iron, XL size only.
