THE NEW OLD SCHOOL
Harrell & Sons brings throwback hunting items to a new generation
By DREW HARRIS
Photography: Courtesy of Harrel & Sons
Harrel & Sons makes products of which your granddaddy would approve.
When you look at the gear and apparel offered by Arkansas-based Harrell & Sons, a few things are notably missing: plastic, nylon and Velcro. With waxed canvas and leather closures, brass snaps and clasps, you might even think you’re seeing something that has been handed down for a generation or two.
Chris Harrell, who grew up hunting duck, deer and turkey with his father, grandfather and uncles, always had an affinity for both the look and durability of waxed canvas clothing and gear.
Somewhere in the mid-2000s, as synthetics became all the rage, Harrell noticed a gap in the market for any sort of new product geared toward hunting, particularly duck hunting, made in classic leather and waxed canvas.
“So, five or six years ago, I just started thinking, if no one else is going to do this, and especially if no one else is going to do this and keep it American-made, I’m going to run it down and bring some of these classic products back to market,” he said.
Conway-based Harrell & Sons came from that decision, named after the family farm from the 1950s. Like a lot of entrepreneurs, Harrell enlists production help from family—his two young sons, his father, his younger brother and his daughter.
Company founder Chris Harrell of Conway does some field research during duck season.
According to Harrell, his products are “begged, borrowed or stolen … designs that have been around a long time,” he said.
“They are classic ‘granddaddy designs,’ with some tweaks we made to add functionalities that cater to the guys of the 21st century. Things we wanted to see; something as simple as shell loops or a clasp on the classic gear bag that lets you hang it on a tree limb.”
The company’s products are plain and simple. Highly functional. Decidedly not mass-produced. And, at all appearances, you might think you are looking at something that came out of a thrift shop or antique store. It’s intentional.
Keeping everything stateside turned out to be the company’s biggest challenge. Components for every piece of gear and apparel are sourced from within the United States, meaning Harrell relies on numerous shops from neighboring states for production. Products are individually crafted and hand-inspected for appearance and quality, while inventory is maintained in and shipped out of Conway.
Harrell’s hunting vests are available in three colors and made to wear over hunting garments. The Shell Vest keeps everything a hunter needs close by and accessible. It has 22 shell loops, two interior pockets, one chest pocket and a large pouch on the back. With two large, snap-closure pockets in front and a large game pocket in back, the Strap Vest is seriously sensible and well-suited for hunting upland bird, small game or waterfowl.
Two gear bags are offered. The spacious Blind Bag has 22 shell loops, and features one main and one side compartment. The smaller Ditty Bag has one main and two small side compartments and a leather carry handle. Lined with durable Cordura nylon, both bags boast shells of 10-ounce waxed canvas, have a cotton shoulder strap and leather and brass snaps.
Old-school construction and hand inspection creates heirloom-worthy products for the outdoors.
Accessories are also available. Made of heavy saddle leather, the Game Tote has brass fittings and six drops while the attractive Gun Sling is well-padded with a convenient thumb hole, guaranteed to dress up any rifle or shotgun. Classic “Season of Hate” and “Preserve Wildlife/Use a Trained Dog” patches and stickers are also available.
Harrell, who also hosts an entertaining podcast discussing hunting, thinks of the business as “a definite mom and pop” and, like many, is direct to consumer with all business conducted through their website. There are no immediate plans for a brick-and-mortar shop, Harrell said he’s content to let the company grow organically, appealing to the forward-thinking consumer.
“When you’re literally putting your name on something, you want a product that people are proud to own and use,” he said. “We’ve gotten great feedback. At the end of the day, I want a classic, American-made product that an outdoorsman is just going to buy one time. I know I’m only going to sell it once, and that’s just fine.”
