About us...
Paul started tooling leather in 1974 in El Paso, TX under the tutelage of Jim Resley, who was a friend of Paul’s dad, Bill Zalesak. In 2001 Paul moved with his family to Albuquerque, NM where they founded Leather Wranglers Inc. Paul's love of the leather craft and his passion for the swivel knife is why he developed the SK-3. His goal was to make a quality tool that you would be proud to own and look forward to using regularly.
His wife, Rosa, is originally from New York and was swept off her feet when she met Paul in El Paso in 1983. Although she grew up in the heart of the Big Apple, she has grown to love the western culture and the beautiful southwest. As a business partner and Paul's help-mate, Rosa manages the business with the same passion and commitment of uncompromised quality that Leather Wranglers stands for.
Among Paul's leather art favorites are journals, binders, purses, belts, and mules. His carved leather art has earned him three first place awards in the New Mexico State Fair, as well as a “Best of Show” award for a leather-covered canteen. He recently won first place in an IILG leather carving contest for making a reversible belt. Until recently, he worked closely with and learned new techniques from one of the leather crafting greats, Billy Wootres, whom - as it turns out - was the one that taught Jim Resley.
A full-time faculty member and director of the landscape program at the local community college, Paul also loves to teach basic swivel knife use and techniques.
Paul is a proud member of New Mexico Roadrunner Leather Artisan's Guild, Colorado Saddle Makers Association (CSMA), Lone Star Leather Crafters of Fort Worth, TX, Leatherworker.net, and Leatherpros.net. He is also an Executive Board Member (2009-2010) of International Internet Leathercrafters’ Guild (IILG).
Feel free to email, write, or call us:
Paul Zalesak
pabloz@leatherwranglers.com
Rosa Zalesak
rosa@leatherwranglers.com
Leather Wranglers Inc.
6204 El Toro Pl NW
Albuquerque, NM 87120
(505) 269-8563
“Uncompromised quality in custom, hand-carved leather craft,
tools, and accessories.”