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Leather Tanning Question

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Leather Tanning Question

#1

Leather Tanning Question

John Kissel

>Hi,

I realize this isn't exactly a woodworking topic but it came to mind after reading Bob Smasler's excellent (as usual) post on making a sheath for knife and other tools. What is the best type of leather to use for tool rolls, sheaths, etc.? Bob mentions vegetable tanned. I have some oil tanned material that I made tool rolls out of many years ago. They have held up very well and I haven't run into rust problems. Is one type of tanning preferred over another?

Thanks,

JK

Re: Leather Tanning Question

#2

Don't know, But...

Scott Burr Ben Lomond,CA

>I've have book called Brain tanning the Sue way. Yea it envolves the brain of the critter your using. Probably too soft and supple for tools use.

Scott, feeling a bit like Todd :o

Re: Leather Tanning Question

#3

Re: Leather Tanning Question

Philip Duffy

>My recollection is that veg. tanned leather can be formed to a knife/etc, by water or acetone whereas oil tanned is best used for "flat work". Call any of the leather supply companies and they will tell the truth. Phil

Re: Leather Tanning Question

#4

Re: Leather Tanning Question

Todd Hughes

>Vegatable Tanned would be the prefered leather for a sheath where it would be formed to the tool since you can't do this with oil tanned very well.If you were making a soft tool roll oil tan would be your choice as it is more flexable.Chrome tanned leather, which is probably the most common leather today, could also be used but I always worry a little about this type causing rust though don't know if I should. Personaly I think canvas is probably a better choice for a tool roll then leather....Todd

Re: Leather Tanning Question

#5

Brain Tan..

Todd Hughes

>I have a good friend that has done quite a bit of brain tanning of different hides, even did a buffalo once.I tried it on a deer hide befor and got mixed results.Idea is that the brain has natural oils that tans the hide as you rub it in....Indians said that each creature had enough brains to tan it's own hide though I have met a few people that may have had to take out a loan...Todd

Re: Leather Tanning Question

#6

Re: Brain Tan..

Robert Tarr

>I have an old book around here, that said that rabbit was the best (brain, that is).

Robert

Re: Leather Tanning Question

#7

Tanning process info

Greg Deavers in Stillwater

>Not to dissagree with RobT, but I believe that (cow) brain tanning and smoking is preferable form of tanning.

If you want more process related info you can look at:

1. Braintan.com

2. Nativetech.org/tanning/taneasy.html

Hope this helps somewhat.

Greg

Re: Leather Tanning Question

#8

Re: Leather Tanning Question

John Kissel

>Thanks for all of the info. I'd always wondered about the differences and also was concerned about which type was more prone to cause rust. I find that canvas rolls are fine for tool storage in the house but the leather rolls are a little better when I'm travelling with them. Don't foresee doing any brain tanning anytime soon :-)

JK

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