1898 Leather

1898 Leather is an American brand of premium leather welding protective equipment, sold direct to consumers through its own website. The brand's name and identity are tied to the 1898 Los Angeles Rubber and Asbestos Works, a Downtown Los Angeles firm on Spring Street that fabricated conveyor belts from tan hide leathers. The modern glove and apron business was developed by Matt, who met Dave, the fourth-generation owner of Los Angeles Rubber, in 2009, and later partnered with his neighbor Phil Stanton, a welder who wanted gloves with adequate heat protection that were still nimble enough for precise work. The product line centers on heavy-duty welding gloves and leather welding aprons, with additional accessories such as branded banners. According to the company, each product is crafted from 100% genuine sueded nubuck leather, built with twin-needle flat seams, and reinforced with Kevlar brand aramid lining and carefully layered panels. The flagship Stanton glove is made from sueded nubuck cow leather roughly 0.9 to 1 mm thick, treated for water resistance and oil and stain repellency, and lined with heavy-weight knitted Kevlar (100% aramid). It carries ANSI/ISEA abrasion Level 4 and contact heat Level 2 ratings and includes features such as a gunn cut, comfort fourchette finger construction, padded fingertips and thumb, an extended gauntlet, and a leather hanging loop with no metal hardware. 1898 Leather positions itself around durability, comfort and precision for professional welders, metal sculptors and fabricators. The brand has a partnership with the Advanced Welding Institute in Eagle River, Wisconsin, where instructors and students wear and test its gloves in real shop conditions and provide feedback. Its marketing features working professionals including metal sculptors who have appeared on the Netflix show Metal Master's, such as Ivan Iller, David Madero and Kevin Stone, along with welders and fabricators. The company describes a long development process: Matt made dozens of prototype samples from 2016, Phil Stanton field-tested them, and in 2021 a leather glove expert, Paul Wood, advised a redesign. First production pairs were made in 2024, with Matt calling customers for feedback, and new versions and products were introduced in 2026. The brand remains privately held and sells primarily in the United States.

The story of 1898 Leather begins with the 1898 Los Angeles Rubber and Asbestos Works, formed in Downtown Los Angeles on Spring Street, which fabricated conveyor belts from tan hide leathers. That leatherworking lineage is the source of the brand's name and its emphasis on heavy-duty leather fabrication. In 2009, Matt met Dave, the fourth-generation owner of Los Angeles Rubber. The relationship connected modern product development to the older leather business. In 2016, during one of many beer-drinking sessions between Matt and his neighbor Phil Stanton, Phil said he simply wanted a pair of welding gloves that had adequate heat protection but were actually nimble. That request became the founding brief for the brand. From 2016 onward, Matt made dozens of prototype samples, learning glove making through different factories while Phil Stanton tried them out in practice. By 2021, Matt and Phil had a design they loved, but they met a real leather glove expert, Paul Wood, who told them that what they had was not a proper glove. A redesign followed, with many more samples and prototypes. In 2024, the first production pairs were made, and Matt called every customer for feedback, doing the same for aprons. In 2026, new versions and new products were introduced, with Matt continuing to call as many customers as possible for feedback. The brand's public identity is built around professional validation. 1898 Leather announced a partnership with the Advanced Welding Institute in Eagle River, Wisconsin, where instructors and students constantly give feedback on products. Its roster of featured professionals includes metal sculptors and welders such as Ivan Iller, David Madero, Kevin Stone, Perro Drops, Brent Poole, Leah Aripotch, Marissa Mitchell, Jesse Purdom, Arc One Mobile Welder & Fabricator and James Danielson, several of whom appeared on the Netflix show Metal Master's. Product development has emphasized materials and construction. The company states that each product is crafted from 100% genuine sueded nubuck leather, with twin-needle flat seams and Kevlar lining and layered panels for protection. The Stanton glove, for example, uses sueded nubuck cow leather 0.9 to 1 mm thick with water-repellent, oil- and stain-repellent treatments, a Kevlar brand heavy-weight knitted aramid lining, ANSI/ISEA abrasion Level 4 and contact heat Level 2 ratings, and detailed ergonomic features. The brand also sells accessories such as a standard or custom 1898 logo banner. 1898 Leather remains a privately held American brand selling primarily through its own website, with pickup availability at the Advanced Welding Institute in Wisconsin and mentions of other retail or workshop locations.

• 2026

  New versions and new products are introduced; Matt continues calling customers for feedback.

• 2024

  First production pairs of gloves are made; Matt calls every customer for feedback, and does the same for aprons.

• 2021

  Matt and Phil have a design they love, but leather glove expert Paul Wood advises a redesign; many more samples and prototypes follow.

• 2016

  Phil Stanton tells Matt he wants welding gloves with adequate heat protection that are actually nimble; Matt begins making dozens of prototype samples.

• 2009

  Matt meets Dave, fourth-generation owner of Los Angeles Rubber.

• 1898

  1898 Los Angeles Rubber and Asbestos Works is formed in Downtown Los Angeles on Spring Street, fabricating conveyor belts from tan hide leathers.

Premium, professional-grade leather welding protective equipment engineered for durability, comfort and precision.

• The Stanton leather welding glove

  Flagship glove made from sueded nubuck cow leather 0.9–1 mm thick, water-repellent and oil/stain-repellent, with Kevlar brand heavy-weight knitted aramid lining, ANSI/ISEA abrasion Level 4 and contact heat Level 2, gunn cut, comfort fourchette fingers, padded fingertips and thumb, extended gauntlet and leather hanging loop.

• Heavy-duty leather welding gloves

  Durable, comfortable gloves with premium leather, Kevlar lining and ergonomic design for professional welders; worn daily by Advanced Welding Institute instructors and students.

• Premium leather welding apron

  Apron made from durable, heat-resistant leather with meticulous craftsmanship to shield against sparks, spatter and intense heat.

• 1898 banner

  High-resolution full-color printed banner in standard 1898 logo or custom artwork, made from indoor and outdoor durable material, priced at $25.00.

1. 11898 Leather - Premium Welding Gear1898leather.com
2. 2Stanton Leather Welding Gloves | 1898 Leather1898leather.com
3. 3About Us – The 1898 Leather Story1898leather.com
4. 41898 Leather Workshop Banner1898leather.com
5. 51898 leather - Wikidatawikidata.org