It’s hardly the most efficient or practical LBE option out there (far from it), but few things look as good as well-crafted kit built from the skin of something that had parents. I’m talking about leather and, more specifically, the leather Alex Davranov uses to build his gorgeous chest rigs.
This isn’t a “I’ve used this and it’s awesome gear review.” This TTDS is all about aesthetics. I’ve never put hands on one of these or even seen one in person — but that doesn’t matter. Davranov’s gear is making an appearance here because it’s absolutely gorgeous.
Even the stuff intended to be post-apocalyptic.
That isn’t to say the by.davronov work has no function to go with the form, all the talk about it on social media indicates it’s quality stuff. However, I can only attest to the visuals.
I think you’d be hard-pressed to find anything else that would make your Slav squat look more gooder than these rigs. Aside from a good track suit, of course.
I’ve been watching ‘em on IG for about a year and a half, but I’m not sure how long they’ve actually been in business. The Davronov social activity dates back just shy of two years, but I imagine he’s been working leather a lot longer than that.
Says Davronov . . .
The art is in the finish. The first beauty is staining leather with various colors and shades of leather dye and oils. Second is the beauty of molding leather – exposing leather to hot/boiling water, [then] using special molding techniques and drying techniques to show all that detail.
[This] started out on a beautiful butter soft calf skin. I applied 3 shades of brown leather alcohol-based dye – and 1 black. in product development and design world we call it tipping – I tipped the highs and lows…Oils greases and waxes; I apply them using a piece of shearling for a burnishing effect. I also hit the highs and lows with heat to shock the top grain off the leather, which stiffens it.
You can learn more online here or connect on social here.
He builds LBE for drum mags too.
DR Sends.
