FAQ

What sets Four Winds West apart?
Four Winds West bags, belts, and switchplates are entirely made by hand using techniques unchanged for centuries. In a society of evermore mass production we offer very limited numbers of functional art for people who appreciate authentic work from the heart. Much of cowboy gear evolved from Moorish, tribal and western cultures. It is this history that has inspired us for over thirty years. Four Winds West original and innovative designs are unlike anything else on the market.

How long till my order is shipped?
If we have it in stock, it will ship within a few days. If not, it will be made for you and we’ll let you know when it will be ready. Because the hand work is so labor intensive, this can vary from two to ten weeks, depending on our work cycle at the time of order. Our customers always say that it is worth the wait.

Warranty and return policy?
Our goal is for you to be completely happy with Four Winds West products and service. We are extremely proud of the quality and rugged durability of our work and offer a one year guarantee against defects in materials or workmanship. In addition, we want your bag or belt to reflect well on Four Winds West for as long as possible, so, at our discretion, we will likely take care of anything on an open ended basis, usually at no charge. Just let us know and we’ll work it out.

Any item can be returned in unused condition within 30 days of your purchase for a full refund of purchase price or credit toward something else.

What is your privacy policy?
Four Winds West respects the privacy of all our customers. We will never sell, trade, rent or give away any customer information. Never. Period.

Where are these products made?
In his Tucson workshop Joel creates every design, making the patterns and crafting each piece to assure his high standard. His second workshop is in Marrakech, where he lives and works part of the year, and does the laborious hand-laced assembly with 2 assistants.

Do we work in Morocco to save labor costs?
No. We employ our two Moroccan master artisans because of their rare talent and skill and because we are inspired by the deep Moorish influence in the American West.  They are well paid by any standard and we are gratified to have helped these friends to prosper for over 30 years.

What kind of leather is used?
Some are entirely full-grain cowhide, some a more supple, lighter weight goatskin. Many are a combination of both. The lacing is all durable goatskin for longevity.

How do I care for the leather?
The full-grain leather has been finely finished and sealed to be water and stain resistant, so it should need no maintenance for quite a while. As with any fine leather, it will become softer and more supple, gaining character with use. With time and wear, eventually a conditioner may be applied as you would with a saddle or boots. Lexol and other good leather treatments can be found at shoe repair and tack shops.

Why no zippers?
Zippers often become unreliable and since our bags are likely to last many years we avoid building in this potential problem, instead using various other ways to secure your bag.

What if the strap is too long? 
If the bag has a simple strap and buckle, once you determine the length you prefer you may trim off any extra with a sharp scissors or razorblade, rounded or to a point. Since there is no stitching to unravel, no problem. Braided straps cannot be shortened, though some are adjustable.

Why switchplates and leatherwork?
We make nearly all the hardware for our belts and bags – conchos, buckles, medallions, etc. Originally we designed some switchplates for our own home using the same techniques as the hardware for the leather. With many visitors asking us to make some for them, we realized the demand for switchplates of this quality and style and added them to Four Winds West’ collection.