Leather Desk Pad

1.00

$199.00

(62 reviews) Write a Review

Thoughts on Creating a Respectable Office

I believe a plain foundation is the key to a warm and respectable office. Your desk is the main building block of the office, so start there. Let it be plain and solid, and then build around it. I may be a little biased here, but a simple leather desk pad is key. Leather is natural and known as a quality. Let your desk and leather desk pads set the stage but not be what draws the eye, but rather your pictures, hourglass, and magnifying glass. Using leather desk pads is like using rugs around and beneath the furniture. They warm the place up.

Three, the Devine Mark of Perfection

I am personally drawn to designs with triangles or threes. Three is the divine mark of perfection and is found throughout nature. That's why the eye is so drawn to 3's. For that reason, I recommend a Leather Desk Set of 3: a Leather Desk Pad, a Leather Mouse Pad, and a Hard Leather Valet Tray. The three make a triangle or a complete set in your mind and break up the space.

Office Lighting

Lighting is one of the keys to an office that people talk about. A lamp next to a leather desk pad is a must. An antique that has lasted for at least 60 years is best. If it's lasted that long, it will last another 60 years. I had bought two different great-looking lamps from Restoration Hardware that only lasted about a year before they loosened and started leaning. And they're unrepairable. Why sell crap like that?

Office Scents of Full Grain Leather

And last but not least, the scent of your office counts. You have the feel, the lighting, and the textures, but don't forget that rich scent of leather. Lucky for you, the rich aroma of leather is included free with every Saddleback leather desk pad. All of these are considerations for creating a great office space.

Full Grain Leather Desk Pad

This leather desk pad is made of full grain leather, which means it still has all of the grain intact on the top layer of the hide. The grain is the toughest and most water-resistant part. Most companies shave off the top layer of the hide to get rid of any of the character of the cowhide like scars or tiny bug bites, but in reality, they are shaving off the hardest and toughest part of the hide. It's like shaving the shingles off of your roof.

Full Grain vs. Top Grain vs. Genuine Leather

When there is still a little of the grain left, that's what you call Top Grain Leather. It is still good leather, but not as good as it used to be. Genuine or Split Leather is when all of the grain is shaved or split off. The desk pad will look bad and fall apart way sooner than a full grain leather desk pad. Finding just the right hide to cut such a large piece of leather takes a long time with not too many scars and blemishes. And then we end up with a lot of extra scrap from around it. It's not the cheapest way to make things, but there's something about making things the quality way.

Very expensive, high quality, but with room for improvement

After weeks of debate and constantly vacillating between the decision to purchase this or a less expensive item, I finally bit the bullet and ordered a large desk pad in Chestnut. After receiving the first, I ordered a small desk pad in Chestnut. This review will address both of these products in separate paragraphs and then my thoughts on the color in the last.��I first ordered (and received) the large desk pad. After much debate between sizes (did I want a medium and a small, or just a large?) and color (would Chestnut be versatile enough to be used on whatever desk I own? Would dark coffee be too bland?), I decided to go with the large Chestnut. The product arrived packaged in a very thin cardboard box, which surprisingly protected the product quite well. Upon opening the package, I was hit with the distinctly rich smell of leather, even through the inner plastic packaging. After completely opening the package, I inspected every inch of the leather, hoping that there would be no flaws or imperfections that Saddleback has decided to include. Luckily, this piece was pristine. The leather appeared to have arrived well nourished, however I applied a thin layer of Saphir Renovateur to help protect my new desk pad. The leather did not discolor after application of the Saphir Renovateur. The craftsmanship on this product is unmistakeable- the stitching is well done and in a tonal color and the rivets are well positioned and recessed on the reverse to help prevent scratching the desk surface. One of the best thought out pieces of design of this product is the gap between the rivets and second layer of stitching where one's hands normally rest while typing / writing. Very well thought out in that regard. The branding is a bit more obvious than I would have liked (although it's by no means ostentatious) and I would have very much appreciated the choice of having my initials embossed on the left side where the image of Blue is. The pad is quite thick and seems to have a layer of cushioning in the middle. This cushioning is enough to provide comfort, but not enough so that paper is punctured. The size of the large pad is also fair, although I do believe that it would be much better if there were another couple of inches added to each dimension. Unfortunately, I do believe that this item is a bit overpriced, especially with the shipping factored in. Had this product either been about 10% cheaper or offered free shipping (or both!) I would have ordered this much, much sooner.��After being thoroughly impressed with the large desk pad, I went ahead and ordered the small, leather mousepad in Chestnut. The design of this is very similar to that of the large desk pad so I won't comment further on that. The one issue I do have with this mouse pad is the leather- this piece has much more imperfections, including some stretch marks, wrinkles, and a 1-2 inch scratch running down the middle. For the price of this mousepad, I am disappointed with the end appearance.��Finally, the Chestnut color is perfect for my needs. The color is a very rich burgundy almost reminiscent of a cross between a merlot and Horween #8 color. It truly is a beautiful color and combined with the rich leather smell it really adds a few degrees of class to my desk.��In summation- the products are beautiful, smell great, and are highly functional. My two pieces did have a great degree of variance in their appearance (I have one other piece that doesn't have the imperfections noted). Additionally, these products would benefit greatly from having wax burnished edges (it would add an even higher degree of class) and an option to add an embossed monogram in the position where Blue (sorry Blue, I really do love dogs but I think the option of a monogram instead would be more fitting of a product designed to add a degree of luxury to an office) is. Finally, the pricing does seem a bit high for what you ultimately receive. Yes, the leather is absolutely beautiful, but at 10% less of the current price (or free shipping) I really think it would be an incredible value.

Posted by Brian D. | Jul 25, 2015

4
Very expensive, high quality, but with room for improvement

After weeks of debate and constantly vacillating between the decision to purchase this or a less expensive item, I finally bit the bullet and ordered a large desk pad in Chestnut. After receiving the first, I ordered a small desk pad in Chestnut. This review will address both of these products in separate paragraphs and then my thoughts on the color in the last.��I first ordered (and received) the large desk pad. After much debate between sizes (did I want a medium and a small, or just a large?) and color (would Chestnut be versatile enough to be used on whatever desk I own? Would dark coffee be too bland?), I decided to go with the large Chestnut. The product arrived packaged in a very thin cardboard box, which surprisingly protected the product quite well. Upon opening the package, I was hit with the distinctly rich smell of leather, even through the inner plastic packaging. After completely opening the package, I inspected every inch of the leather, hoping that there would be no flaws or imperfections that Saddleback has decided to include. Luckily, this piece was pristine. The leather appeared to have arrived well nourished, however I applied a thin layer of Saphir Renovateur to help protect my new desk pad. The leather did not discolor after application of the Saphir Renovateur. The craftsmanship on this product is unmistakeable- the stitching is well done and in a tonal color and the rivets are well positioned and recessed on the reverse to help prevent scratching the desk surface. One of the best thought out pieces of design of this product is the gap between the rivets and second layer of stitching where one's hands normally rest while typing / writing. Very well thought out in that regard. The branding is a bit more obvious than I would have liked (although it's by no means ostentatious) and I would have very much appreciated the choice of having my initials embossed on the left side where the image of Blue is. The pad is quite thick and seems to have a layer of cushioning in the middle. This cushioning is enough to provide comfort, but not enough so that paper is punctured. The size of the large pad is also fair, although I do believe that it would be much better if there were another couple of inches added to each dimension. Unfortunately, I do believe that this item is a bit overpriced, especially with the shipping factored in. Had this product either been about 10% cheaper or offered free shipping (or both!) I would have ordered this much, much sooner.��After being thoroughly impressed with the large desk pad, I went ahead and ordered the small, leather mousepad in Chestnut. The design of this is very similar to that of the large desk pad so I won't comment further on that. The one issue I do have with this mouse pad is the leather- this piece has much more imperfections, including some stretch marks, wrinkles, and a 1-2 inch scratch running down the middle. For the price of this mousepad, I am disappointed with the end appearance.��Finally, the Chestnut color is perfect for my needs. The color is a very rich burgundy almost reminiscent of a cross between a merlot and Horween #8 color. It truly is a beautiful color and combined with the rich leather smell it really adds a few degrees of class to my desk.��In summation- the products are beautiful, smell great, and are highly functional. My two pieces did have a great degree of variance in their appearance (I have one other piece that doesn't have the imperfections noted). Additionally, these products would benefit greatly from having wax burnished edges (it would add an even higher degree of class) and an option to add an embossed monogram in the position where Blue (sorry Blue, I really do love dogs but I think the option of a monogram instead would be more fitting of a product designed to add a degree of luxury to an office) is. Finally, the pricing does seem a bit high for what you ultimately receive. Yes, the leather is absolutely beautiful, but at 10% less of the current price (or free shipping) I really think it would be an incredible value.

Posted by Brian D. | Jul 25, 2015
5
Best desk pad ever invented

I have a hundred year old desk with a deep red finish and this desk pad is beyond beautiful. The longer I own it the greater it looks. The size is perfect--plenty of room for my large note pad holder, post it notes, fountain pens.....��I live at my desk and could not think of a better office addition.

Posted by Steve | Feb 15, 2015
5
Excellent Quality

I am very fond of all the products I have purchased from this company. The large desk blotter is no exception. This is a company that embodies the "quality is remembered long after price is forgotten" mantra. I like that.

Posted by Walnut B. | Feb 13, 2015
5
Love the mouse pad!

Unlike "Nah," I don't need pillow-like support for every part of my body that touches a surface. �I do enjoy quality, leather goods that wear in and get better with age as I do.�The mouse pad has been a favorite piece of desk gear for years, and serves me well...�along with my briefcase, suitcase, duffel, macbook air sleeve, large and small notebooks, iPhone sleeve, and coasters. If Saddleback made clothing I'd probably wear that as well.��Thanks Dave!��P.S. Calloused hands come from weightlifting not mouse pads, weenie.

Posted by Don't W. | Oct 01, 2014
5
Mouse/Track Pad

I just received my small desk pad, and man am I happy! I got the new tobacco color which is fantastic by the way. It is soft and smells great of course. Right now I am using my my Apple TrackPad, works great, doesnt slide around or anything. Over all love the pad.� � If your thinking about it.... Just do it.

Posted by Anonymous | Jul 23, 2014

Featured ITEM

Saddleback

Leather Desk Pad

4.00 lb

28.00

22.00

1.00

Thoughts on Creating a Respectable Office

Three, the Devine Mark of Perfection

Office Shelving with Leather Bound Books

Office Lighting

Office Scents of Full Grain Leather

Full Grain Leather Desk Pad

Full Grain vs. Top Grain vs. Genuine Leather

Details

Dimensions (W x H x D)

MATERIALS

Very expensive, high quality, but with room for improvement

Best desk pad ever invented

Excellent Quality

Love the mouse pad!

Mouse/Track Pad

Featured ITEM

LOVE 41 STORY

Where Receiving is Giving!

Saddleback

Leather Desk Pad

4.00 lb

28.00

22.00

1.00

Write a Review

Saddleback

Leather Desk Pad

Thoughts on Creating a Respectable Office

Three, the Devine Mark of Perfection

Office Shelving with Leather Bound Books

Office Lighting

Office Scents of Full Grain Leather

Full Grain Leather Desk Pad

Full Grain vs. Top Grain vs. Genuine Leather

Details

Dimensions (W x H x D)

MATERIALS

Hard Leather Catchall Valet Tray