Ray Holes Leather Care Products Story

Photo: Ray Holes Saddle Co., Cottonwood, Idaho 1936. A few years later the shop would be moved to Grangeville, Idaho.

In the 1930s, Idaho saddle maker Ray Holes developed SADDLE BUTTER® for use in his shop at Ray Holes Saddle Co. Originally created to protect new leather and restore well-used gear, the product quickly proved its value. Ranchers and farmers who came in for new equipment or repairs saw the results for themselves, and word spread. Before long, the demand was strong enough that Saddle Butter was offered for retail sale.

 

During WWII the availability of lanolin, a traditional waterproofing, was scarce. In 1942, CHAP WAX® was introduced to provide durable waterproof protection for leather gear used in wet conditions, including chaps, chinks, boots, and other essential ranch and riding equipment.

By the 1970s, retailers selling boots and shoes asked for a different name on the waterproofing to make it easier to market to their customers. As fewer buyers came from ranch or farm backgrounds, the name DRI-BOOT® was adopted to better fit the broader market.

When Generation II Gerald Ray Holes (Jerry) became the owner of Ray Holes Saddle Company, he developed VAQUERO RAWHIDE CREAM®, our fastest growing product, to serve the unique needs of rawhide and fine leather products. Since then, Vaquero Rawhide Cream has become the industry standard for conditioning and cleaning rawhide.

By the 1980's, the demand for our leather care products was becoming great enough that we saw fit to separate the leather care products from the saddle company, and Ray Holes Leather Care Products, Inc. became a wholesale manufacturing business on its own.

Ray Holes Leather Care Products continues to receive great word-of-mouth advertising from our leather-loving customers and retailers in 500+ stores worldwide that carry our products.