Every Piece a Decision
Six steps. No assembly line. Only hands, tools, and the conviction that quality takes time.
When you hold a KATAAB piece, you feel the difference. Not as an abstract promise, but as a tangible fact: even stitches, perfectly fitting edges, breathable leather. This is no coincidence — this is process.
The Process — Six Steps to Perfection
Every leather product at KATAAB undergoes the same meticulous process — from material selection at the tannery to the final quality inspection. No shortcuts, no compromises.
Material Selection at the Tannery
Every project begins with the selection of the leather. We source our hides directly from tanneries in Italy — each hide is individually inspected: grain, scar pattern, uniformity of color absorption.
Custom Cutting
The leather is laid by hand on templates and cut with precision tools. Each line follows the natural course of the hide.
Edge Finishing
The cut edges are sanded multiple times, sealed with edge paint, and then polished. This step determines the longevity of the piece.
Pre-marking & Punching
Before the needle is even set, all stitch lines are pre-marked with a groover and perforated with a pricking iron. This is the only way to achieve even, straight stitches.
Sewing: Hand and Machine
Depending on the piece and seam position, either a leather machine or a hand needle is used. For exposed areas and personalized work, we rely on the saddle stitch — two needles, one thread, one loop per stitch. It cannot unravel: if one thread breaks, the counter-loop holds. Leather is a natural product — pores, grain pattern, and slight structural differences vary from hide to hide. These characteristics are not flaws; they make each KATAAB piece unique.
Finishing & Quality Control
Each piece receives a layer of natural leather fat, all surfaces are polished, and all functions are checked. As a natural material, leather bears individual marks: fine pores, minimal color variations, the drawing of the hide — this is character, not a defect. Only when no genuine flaw can be found does the piece leave Berlin.
"Every step leaves a trace. We ensure it's the right one."— KATAAB Principle
Technical Specifications
Numbers behind the craftsmanship — for those who want to know what goes into a KATAAB piece.
| Feature | Specification | Why it is so |
|---|---|---|
| Leather Origin | Tanneries in Italy | Traditional quality tanneries, strict control |
| Leather Thickness | 1.0 – 1.6 mm depending on the piece | Thinner: flexible; thicker: structural support |
| Thread Thickness | 0.8 mm waxed polyester | Rot and UV resistant, tear-proof, no stretching |
| Stitch Spacing | 3.0 – 3.5 mm | Tighter = more hold in the material |
| Edge Protection | Multiple sanded + sealed | Prevents moisture penetration and edge cracking |
| Fittings | Brushed brass or nickel-plated | Corrosion-resistant, develops a beautiful patina over time |
| Manufacturing Location | Berlin, Germany | Short distances, direct control, no offshore manufacturing |
| Inspection Points | 9 quality points per piece | Seam, edge, function, optics — all checked before shipping |
Why Berlin
Berlin is not a nostalgic choice. The city has been home to an independent craft scene for decades — bookbinders, saddlers, tailors, goldsmiths. What is made in Berlin is often made with an attitude: clear, durable, without excess.
Our studio is located in one of Berlin's classic courtyards. Here, the light is good, the noise tolerable, and the neighborhood understands why one picks up a piece three times before passing it on.
Every KATAAB piece carries a discreet mark — made in Berlin, Germany. Not as a marketing promise, but as a fact to which we are committed.
Quality is Timelessness
We don't create seasonal collections. What we build should still be in use in ten years — and look better in fifteen years than it does today, because leather develops a patina with use that no finish in the world can imitate.
This also means: We prefer to produce less than more. Rather one neat seam than two sloppy ones.