Why We Make a Leather Fly Swatter (and Why People Keep Buying Them as Gifts)
A leather fly swatter sounds like a joke until you pick one up. Give it one test swing and most people get it right away.
Why we made one
We were tired of plastic swatters that crack by August and wire handles that bend the first time you use them. We had good leather and a local woodshop making solid handles, so we built the one we wanted to own.
How it's made
The head is two layers of full-grain, vegetable-tanned leather, machine stitched together and double riveted to the handle. Because it's double-ply, it looks finished from both sides with no raw edges. The leather wraps over the end of the handle, so you won't dent the wall or window frame when you swing.
The handle is solid wood from a woodshop near us, and there's a matching leather loop to hang it by the door. The leather has a distressed pull-up finish, so it lightens where it flexes and picks up character the more you use it.
Does it actually work?
Yes. The leather has enough flex to snap down fast, and it's heavier than plastic, so it doesn't bounce off. It's also quieter than you'd expect.
The gift nobody sees coming
It's become one of our most popular gifts: for cottage owners, new homeowners, the person who has everything, or anyone who complains about the flies every summer. It's useful, it's under $30, and it gets a laugh every time.
Quick questions
How do I clean it?
Wipe it with a damp cloth and let it air-dry. A little leather conditioner once or twice a year keeps it from drying out.
Can it live outside?
Use it outside all you like, but hang it back up indoors. Like any leather, it shouldn't sit out in the rain.
Is it made in Canada?
Yes. The leather work is done in our shop in Chesley, Ontario, and the handle comes from a local woodshop.
