BS: How to tell vegetable tanned leather

Subject: BS: How to tell vegetable tanned leather
From: Rapparee
Date: 21 Aug 07 - 10:20 PM

Anyone know a simple why to tell if leather is vegetable tanned?

Subject: RE: BS: How to tell vegetable tanned leather
From: Amos
Date: 21 Aug 07 - 10:21 PM

Try chewing a small inconspicuous corner of it?


A

Subject: RE: BS: How to tell vegetable tanned leather
From: Amos
Date: 21 Aug 07 - 10:23 PM

Vegetable-tanned leather is tanned using tannin (hence the name "tanning") and other ingredients found in vegetable matter, tree bark, and other such sources. It is supple and brown in color, with the exact shade depending on the mix of chemicals and the color of the skin. Vegetable-tanned leather is not stable in water; it tends to discolor, and if left to soak and then dry it will shrink and become less supple and harder. In hot water, it will shrink drastically and partly gelatinise, becoming rigid and eventually brittle. Boiled leather is an example of this where the leather has been hardened by being immersed in hot water, or in boiled wax or similar substances. Historically, it was used as armour due to its hardness and light weight, but it has also been used for book binding. This is the only form of leather suitable for use in leather carving or stamping.

(Wikipedia)

Subject: RE: BS: How to tell vegetable tanned leather
From: SharonA
Date: 22 Aug 07 - 07:31 AM

Oh. And here I thought it was leather that was struck repeatedly with an ear of corn...


...and that's it a-hangin' in the shed!

Subject: RE: BS: How to tell vegetable tanned leather
From: GUEST,Mingulay at work
Date: 22 Aug 07 - 08:32 AM

Also, due to the natural oils vegatable tanned can't be stuck with shoemaking type neoprene adhesives. But then neither can full chrome tanned leather. It's a hard world at times!!

Subject: RE: BS: How to tell vegetable tanned leather
From: Sorcha
Date: 22 Aug 07 - 10:05 AM

But, Why Rap?

Subject: RE: BS: How to tell vegetable tanned leather
From: Bee
Date: 22 Aug 07 - 10:22 AM

I've used 6 to 10 ounce veg tanned leather in the past for leather sculpture and formed mask making. At those weights, 'supple' is not the descriptive word I would use. It is a wonderful medium for making three dimensional objects: you cut your pieces, wet them through quickly in hot water, form and work as it dries. When completely dry, finish as you wish, with acrylic paints, leather dyes, wax, or what you like.

Be warned: it usually stinks for a few weeks after drying.

Subject: RE: BS: How to tell vegetable tanned leather
From: GUEST,Mingulay at work
Date: 22 Aug 07 - 11:22 AM

Bee, if you think it stinks after drying hang around the soaking pits at a 'proper' tannery for a while and do pick a nice warm day with no breeze!!!

Subject: RE: BS: How to tell vegetable tanned leather
From: Rapparee
Date: 22 Aug 07 - 12:15 PM

Because I want to make some items of leather I have on hand, and I'd like them to be vegetable tanned instead of chrome or chemical tanned. These are "old-timey" and vegetable tanning is appropriate.

Sorcha, if you'd like to do some brain tanning for me....

Subject: RE: BS: How to tell vegetable tanned leather
From: Dave Swan
Date: 22 Aug 07 - 12:37 PM

I can help with determining that it's NOT veg tanned. Hold a flame to the flesh side of the leather. If the resulting ash has a blue appearance, that's the result of chrome tanning.

The answer to your question, if not already posted here on The Crispin Colloquy will probably be provided by a member pretty quickly.

D

Subject: RE: BS: How to tell vegetable tanned leather
From: Sorcha
Date: 22 Aug 07 - 03:38 PM

LOL! No thanks, Mike!

Subject: RE: BS: How to tell vegetable tanned leather
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 22 Aug 07 - 08:07 PM

As far as I can remember - 'chrome tanned' leather is often blue - it can be other colours, but I think that is due to it being dyed.

Subject: RE: BS: How to tell vegetable tanned leather
From: Bee
Date: 22 Aug 07 - 09:49 PM

In my experience, any kind of tanned leather can look slightly blue, almost white, light to deep tan, almost orange. I'm no expert, but I suspect the colour of the cow that wore it first may affect the final after-tan colour.

Subject: RE: BS: How to tell vegetable tanned leather
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 22 Aug 07 - 10:08 PM

Ok, now we've established that I probably can't tell vegetable tanned leather... just what did you want to tell it anyway? :-P

Subject: RE: BS: How to tell vegetable tanned leather
From: Rapparee
Date: 22 Aug 07 - 10:32 PM

What? NOBODY wants to brain tan some hides for me? I'll even supply the hides, with bits of flesh and fat still attached. I'll even supply the brains to tan them with.

This is traditionally a woman's job, too, so it can't be too hard.

Step right up and volunteer!

Subject: RE: BS: How to tell vegetable tanned leather
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 22 Aug 07 - 10:45 PM

Rapaire,

I'd like to help, but I haven't got the brains...

Subject: RE: BS: How to tell vegetable tanned leather
From: JennyO
Date: 23 Aug 07 - 07:20 AM

This is traditionally a woman's job, too, so it can't be too hard.

Boy, you really like to live dangerously, don't you Rapaire! First Chongo, and now this! I might have to report you to the Legion.

Subject: RE: BS: How to tell vegetable tanned leather
From: frogprince
Date: 23 Aug 07 - 04:54 PM

Repaire may get to "supply the brains" in a different way than he intended...