We require clothes in many climates, to keep warm, safe, shaded, and camouflaged. Humans are different to most animals in a number of ways – a significant one being that we don’t have much in the way of insulative fur or any protective scales. There are a number of other methods, including the use of synthetic chemicals, though often these are neither good for the tanner nor for the environment (see below). This creates a firm, waterproof leather.īark tanned deer skin – the bark also gives the skin its rich colour. The skin is then oiled and worked soft (physical / oil process). Once the skin is tanned through – a matter of days for small skins like rabbits, to months for deer or even years for large cows – it is then removed and rinsed. The solution is made by boiling high-tannin plant material (such as certain tree barks, nuts and leaves) in water and producing a tannin-rich, acidic tea. This process involves immersing the skin in a tannic acid solution (chemical process). This creates a soft, shammy–like leather.īark tanning, or vegetable tanning. This skin must then be smoked, at which point formaldehyde enters the skin (chemical process) and ensures that even if the skin gets wet, it will retain its softness. This process involves using an emulsifiable (mixes with water) oil such as brains or egg yolks whilst working the skin soft (physical / oil process). In traditional (or natural) tanning there are two main techniques:Įmulsifiable oil tanning – sometimes called brain tanning, or smoke tanning. Finished buckskins – brain tanned and smoked.
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