I like cooking, both in the kitchen and outside on a hot stove or BBQ. A lot of times I’m in my scruffs serving up belly-busting tasty morsels, and I don’t really care if my old clothes get spattered with grease. There are of course times when I do care, and it’s during those occasions that I reach for my leather apron that Tim at Stalwart Crafts kindly sent me to review.

When it first arrived I tittered to myself and couldn’t resist doing a Texas Chainsaw Massacre pose, and afterwards, if I’m honest, I thought that a leather apron was a tad excessive.

However, a few months down the line I reckon it’s proper blokey, and it’s saved many a shirt (not to mention my umentionables) from BBQ sparks and grease many times.

Made out of a rich, but flexible leather it’s lightweight and easy to clean, the ‘Classic’ has plenty of quality features that make it stand out. 

There’s an adjustable leather neck strap with padding for extra comfort, an adjustable leather hip strap with buckle which makes it easy to put on and adjust, and attached to the side there’s also leather towel holder, to which you can also attach their handy leather pouches designed to attach to all their apron ranges, which is quite a clever idea - there is one that can hold your mobile and bits, or a tool pouch.

When reviewing something I usually find the odd design flaw, but I genuinely can’t here, it fits well and has a quality feel about it; it’s surprisingly light too.  On the occasions that it’s been splattered with grease, or I’ve dribbled food down it, I simply wipe it down with a damp cloth and it’s as good as new.

They also do this particular apron in 6 great colours - Black, Brown, Green, Grey, Mahogany and Tan.

As well as selling his wares to the likes of you and I, Tim does aprons for professionals, from chefs and baristas, to blacksmiths and butchers, and everyone else in between.  I wouldn’t be surprised if Muddy Madam steals it for her craft work, or for pottering around in the garden.

Stalwart Crafts don’t just make full leather aprons, they also make waist ones and a cork one too. There’s also range of ‘manly’ accessories including gloves, a roll up cutlery holder, desk mats and wallets.

Now for the price… yes, for an apron it is a lot, but like any premium leather product, it will probably last you a lifetime, and as I often say about prices, 'the bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten’.

price:  £150

more at » www.stalwartcrafts.com