About Us

About Us Smoked Leather by firehouse definition is leather gear worn and used by firefighters. The title “Smoked Leather” was inspired by a few big city firefighters who said “your shields look like they belong on old leather lids; because nothing’s better than wearin’ smoked leather”. This statement gave us the inspiration for the weathered look and traditional style that’s seen tooled into each and every one of our pieces. About Us

About Us – Tooling leather is not only an art form, but has been a long lost skill for some time and is mostly seen today in western style horse saddles and belt work. Our goal was to bring this traditional element into the fire service by hand-carving and tooling every detail seen on each and every piece. But it wasn’t until teaming up with Ivan Rubio for the paint work that the image was complete and About Us Smoked Leather was officially born. Today, Smoked Leather’s work has made its way from its birthplace in Northern California all the way across this great American freedom loving nation of ours. Not a trend, just back to American hand-made quality.

Meet the Team

“Three individuals working together to complete one mission: maintain excellence in the handmade creation of high quality artisan leather products for the Fire Service.”

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Ignacio Rubio

Owner/Leathersmith

“Don't wish it was easier, WISH YOU WERE BETTER”

- SFFD
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Ivan Rubio

Lettering & Paintwork

“Imagination is greater than knowledge ”

- Albert Einstein

Yvette Uribe

Systems Management

“A place for everything and everything in its place”

- Ben Franklin

Tooling leather is an art form that, in my opinion, has been a long lost skill for some time and is mostly only seen today in western style horse saddles and belt work. Gone are the days of blistered fingers and hand tools; in with press plates and laser machines. My goal was to bring this traditional element back into the fire service by hand-carving and tooling every detail seen on each and every piece. But it wasn’t until teaming up with Ivan Rubio for the paint work that the image was complete and Smoked Leather was officially born. Today, Smoked Leather’s work has made its way from its birthplace in Northern California all the way across this great American freedom loving nation of ours. Not a trend, just back to American hand-made quality. (No shields are actually smoked in the process, its just our name).