Leather question

[James Rogers]

Does anyone have a source for bark tanned leather other than RJF?  I am not looking for the home tanned wrinkly type with hair tufts, etc. but old style pit/bark tanned.

If not,  has anyone tried the leather from them from their new supplier in Spain? How does it compare to their former supplier in Portugal?

Boy I miss Chuck Burrows. He had the scoop on everything like this.

[jaeren]

http://www.longrifle.com/shop/artisans-works/braintanned-buckskin-3/

Check this link. Or is this not what your looking for.

[James Rogers]

I am more looking for historical tannery type bark leather that is slow pit tanned.  There are few true vegetable tanning outfits left. One each i know of in UK, Sweden,  Portugal,  Spain. Just wondering if anyone knew of another importer.

[T.C.Albert]

Isn't Herman Oak done the old way?
tc

[Elnathan]

RJF?

[FDR]

http://wickett-craig.com/vegetable-tanning/

Their process uses bark I believe.

[James Rogers]

TC
From what I understand, most all the large tanners involve some use of a form of partial chrome tan to speed up the vegetable tanned process. True vegetable tanning involves many concentrations of bark liqueurs over a long period of time. Most large tanners are completing the process in a month or so.

Elnathon, RJF is a leather seller.

FDR, I like W&C. I have used a lot of their hides. To my knowledge they are a large tannery as mentioned above.

[KentSmith]

Yes most commercial tanneries chrome tan first then run the hide through a veg tan process done in a solution of powdered bark and water.  Other than claiming to be veg tanned i am not sure what the point of it is since they chrome tanned the poor hide to begin with.

I have gotten bark tanned hides from Dunrustic in Michigan but not sure he has any left. He usually runs out in the spring and then you have to wait for last hunting seasons crop to get ready sometime in the fall.

[ltdann]

Just curious why you'd go with bark tan rather than brain tan?  Brain tan can be done in about 10 days vs 6 weeks or more for vegetable tanning (weather dependent).

[KentSmith]

Can't speak for James but I prefer a firmer leather for my pouches than braintan gives.  I prefer braintan for leggings, clothing, etc.  Bark or veg tan for my pouches.  Just personal preference for me.

[KentSmith]

James, have you tried Matt and Michelle Richards of Traditional Tanners out in Oregon?

541 592-3778
Email backcountry@braintan.com

Am not sure they pit tan. they may use drums but they have a smoother more refined product than a lot of the home tanned varieties you can buy on the CLA site.

[ltdann]

Can't speak for James but I prefer a firmer leather for my pouches than braintan gives.  I prefer braintan for leggings, clothing, etc.  Bark or veg tan for my pouches.  Just personal preference for me.

That makes sense, the brain tan IS pretty supple.  I've made a jacket and shirt from some of my deer and they are by far my most comfortable hunting clothing.

[Dan Fruth]

You might contact Weaver Leather here in Ohio.....They would probably know.
http://www.weaverleather.com/

[James Rogers]

Thanks guys. I am going to give RJF a try with their new Spanish pit tanned leather. If it is as good as the Portugal stuff I will be satisfied. I have made my own home style bark tan but to me, while it looks great on high end folk style art or historical home made pouches it is totally out of place on pouches made as if by a professional leather worker of the period. I have tried it and the end product does not work from a historical perspective for me.

[JCKelly]

Consider Wickett & Craig, Curwensville, Pennsylvania  http://wickett-craig.com/.  They claim to make vegetable tanned leather & their product seems well thought of by serious leather users.

This is a relatively new tannery, built adjacent to the old tannery which is now a nationalterriblecontaminated site. I went through the old one twice, once age 6 when I loved the smell of the finishing room (fish oil). Got a tour about age 55, secretary  had been in my Aunt Louise's class in school. Still had the locker room where Grandfather changed clothes. Sorry to hear that it went.

Anyway, Wickett &  Craig is a good leather source.  Ask them about that chromic acid treatment. Don't believe the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania will permit dumping hexavalent chromium into the West Branch of the Susquehanna any more.

[James Rogers]

Thanks. I have used W&C for many years. They sell commercial tannery vegetable tan. I have been mostly satisfied with their product for what it is.  I am seeking old style pit tanned which they nor any tannery I know of in America does to my knowledge.

[davec2]

James,

Is this what your talking about ?

https://holeinthedonut.com/2013/08/06/leather-tanneries-fez-morocco/

My eldest daughter was in Morocco a few years ago and saw these leather tannery pits in operation......same process since the 11th century.  I like the pigeon dropping part.  Sounds like a fun way to make a living !

[James Rogers]

Hi Dave,
Yes that is the process as far as the pits go on a primitive leverl.
Here is another link

 https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=http://www.jarnaginco.com/Vegetable%2520tanned%2520leather.pdf&ved=0ahUKEwiyudH5uIHUAhVBwYMKHbsRAvgQFggcMAA&usg=AFQjCNG0yLUPIYljfhO6cg5plUGzCyc_gA

[G. Elsenbeck]

James, have you seen this offered by Tandy?

https://www.tandyleather.com/en/product/old-world-veg-side-2-to-3-oz-0-8-to-1-2-mm

[James Rogers]

I have not, thanks. I would suspect it is a combination vegetable tannage. If you get some before I get around to sampling it, please give me your take.

[B.Barker]

Curt Lyles has bark tanned deer and sometimes a ground hog or two. You might try him.
Sorry misread your post, scratch what I just said.

[Marcruger]

Just as an aside James, there is a Tandy Leather store within 15 minutes of me if you ever need me to go look for something.  Just give me a shout if ever needed.  Best wishes, and God Bless,  Marc

[James Rogers]

Thanks Marc! Very kind of you.