As some of you know, I'm obsessed with vintage axes. Can't get enough of the things. And the coveted Black Raven is pretty much the holy grail of vintage axes. Sounds cliché, but truly, they just don't make ‘em like that anymore.

The art etched into Black Ravens dates back to 1904, when the axes were produced by Kelly Axe Manufacturing in Charleston, West Virginia. There were several iterations of the artwork as ownership changed over the years, but the one we’ve done our best to recreate here is the oldest. The same one found on my own personal Black Raven Double Bit as well as the Single Bit I reconditioned and hung for my brother a few years ago.

Like the cherished Black Ravens, I like to think that our aprons are built in such a way that they will also be handed down through the generations, treated as prizes by lucky inheritors long after I’m gone. And if any of ‘em stand a chance, it’s definitely gotta be this super sturdy Black Tobacco, trimmed out in our Vintagized solid brass.

We're looking at the Black Raven Edition as a limited run. If you need that kind of magic in your life, you might want to hustle.

About the goods

For the uninitiated, the apron comes standard with upper pockets as shown. Select lower pocket options and add-ons as needed. Vintagized Brass comes as standard equipment, naturally.

Side Gear over here.

The Basics:

Built on our hard-wearing, heaviest duty black tobacco, the Black Raven features standard issue Vintagized Brass and Y-Back Straps.

More about the Tobacco at the heart

Built like a veritable brick house, the Classic Tobacco is our best seller. This rugged, oil finished leather work apron feels broken-in right out of the gate for a lifetime of comfort and protection from sawdust, splinters, spills, errant flying what-not or whatever else have you.

Throw whatever you got at this one. She'll outlast you by miles and miles.

Main Panel: Chrome-tanned, oil-finished Black Tobacco
Thickness: 5-5.5oz whole hide leather
Front pocket: Black
Back Pocket: Black
D-tabs: Black
Hardware: Vintagized Brass

Length Options: Short version below.

26" - 5'6" and below
28" - 5'7"-5'8"
30" - 5'9"-5'10"
32" - 5'11"-6'
34" - 6'1"-6'2"
36" - 6'3"-6'4"
38" - 6'5" and above
40" - For the really big kids

Long version over here

Pocket Options

Streamlined Plain Front: This is the classic Calavera style... no muss, no fuss. Still, all aprons come with a standard-issue upper pocket for pens, pencils, small rulers and such.

Lower Pocket (with or without flap): A traditional rectangular pocket style that hews tight to the main apron panel to prevent accumulation of dust and debris, with or without the inclusion of the optional upper flap.

Paolini Pocket: Generously sized, side-entry pouch design prevents dust and debris from collecting, without the need for flaps. If we were going to rock the pocket, this would be our choice. Named after Gregory Paolini, who is a fantastic woodworker and teacher, as well as one of our favorite human beings.

Strap options

X-Back: For an incredibly comfortable fit, choose the adjustable 1" harness-style straps with quick-release.
Y-Back: Combines the comfort of the harness style straps with a sturdy, adjustable belt for a perfect, secure fit. We strongly endorse the Y-Back.

Tape Measure Clips and/or Towel Rings

Apron w/ Plain Front - See gallery for options

Apron w/ Standard Pocket - Upper positioning matches gallery. Lower positioning will go to the lower front of the pocket.

Apron w/ Paolini Pocket - Upper positioning will be on the front of the pocket, near the top. Lower positioning will be on the front of the pocket. See gallery for visual.

And if all that is way too confusing, just drop an email to michael@calaveratool.com and we'll walk you through it.

A note on oil-finished leather

This leather starts out extremely soft, with an immediate broken-in feel and fit. Please be aware that oil-finished leather has the potential to stain light colored clothing due to it's varying, but high content of, well... oil.

A note on caring for your work apron

In the shop, we finish all our work aprons with Dr. Jackson's Conditioning Cream. A modest application will do good things to worn or dry areas. For hotter, dryer regions (or applications), we recommend modest doses of Fiebing's Aussie Leather Conditioner with Beeswax. Don't apply too much or it'll get a little sticky.