CART (0)

Your Cart is Empty

You are $99.00 away from free shipping!

Methods of Leather Tanning | Buffalo Jackson

BY Buffalo Jackson Insight
BY Amanda Uher

Tanning is the step in the leather-making process by which an animal hide (skin) actually transforms into leather. The purpose of tanning leather is to change the protein structure of the raw hide into a stable material that will not putrefy and will be suitable for a variety of uses. There are two main methods of tanning leather: vegetable and mineral.

Vegetable

Vegetable tanning uses tannins (thus, the word “tanning”) that occur naturally in the leaves and bark of many plants. The tannins bind to the collagen proteins in the hide, coat them, and cause them to become less water-soluble, which makes them more resistant to bacteria. The process of stretching and applying the tannins over the course of several days makes the hide more flexible, although not as flexible as mineral tanned leather.

Mineral

Mineral tanning uses chromium sulfate. Preparing a hide to be tanned includes a pickling stage which raises the acidity level in the hide. This step ensures the chromium complexes can “fit” between the fibers of the collagen. Once the chromium penetrates to the desired level, the pH is raised again to facilitate the process. (This step is called basification.) It’s interesting to note that raw, chrome-tanned hides appear blue, so hides in this state are referred to as “wet blue.” Chrome tanning is faster than vegetable tanning, and produces a more flexible, stretchable leather.

After tanning, depending on the desired outcome, the leather will undergo various finishing processes. To see some high quality finished leather, check out our collection of leather messenger bags, briefcase bags, belts, and boots.  

Related Articles:

Related products

More from Insight
Insight by Xan Hood
Suede Vs Leather | The Key Differences and Qualities
Tanning is the step in the leather-making process by which an ...
Read More
Insight by BJTC Staff
The Brief History of Men's Shearling Jackets
Tanning is the step in the leather-making process by which an ...
Read More
Insight by Xan Hood
Is Shearling Hard to Clean : Demystifying Shearling Care
Tanning is the step in the leather-making process by which an ...
Read More