Y1 - Ace Leather

Welcome to Origins! 

This series explores the story behind the materials and methods we use to build gloves. Each blog post offers a quick look into what makes our products special. 

First up is our Japanese Kip leather, known as Ace or Y1.

In southern Japan, several tanneries create premium leathers using hides from across the world, including the United States. Each tannery focuses on its strengths. We are proud to work with Maruhashi, a leather wholesaler that helps distribute these high quality materials.

Kip is made from young cattle, giving it a fine grain, soft feel, and lighter weight. It also absorbs dye differently than steer hide, so you may notice color variations between the two. Its clean texture and consistent quality are what set it apart.

Leather production begins with raw hides and moves through stages like flesh removal, splitting, and finishing. Each step plays a role in shaping the final product.

In school, a score of 96 is still an A. Even with top leathers, there can still be minor blemishes, such as small color shifts or slight variations in feel. These subtle differences are normal and part of what makes each glove unique. That is why we encourage you to try on gloves and choose the one that feels right to you.

After visiting tanneries and glove shops throughout Japan, we remain committed to learning, improving, and seeking out the best materials. We want to connect with players and build gloves that help you perform your best and create lasting memories.

This is our mission. This is our origin.