Did you know that
leather is the most desired material for designing accessory items? Be it a
patch on your jeans or the strap of your branded watch, you can find leather
almost anywhere. The appealing richness of leather and toughness make it the
perfect choice for gloves, furniture items, shoes, briefcases, belts, jackets,
and most importantly Argentina leather
bags. With so many diverse uses, it is vital to know just exactly how
leather is processed.
The tanning process
Tanning is a known
procedure to turn animal hide into leather. The process uses a chemical called
tannic acid. Raw animal skin is repeatedly dipped and soaked for months into
this chemical for it to turn into a stable material that will not decay. The
tanning process helps the leather to retain its natural attributes such as its
firmness, resistance to heat, and abrasion.
There are plenty of
tanning methods being used these days. The traditional and most complex is
vegetable tanning which requires highly skilled craftsmen. It is an organic
method that uses tannin from trees such as chestnut and oak. Leather
manufacturers use barks to prepare tannin for leather.
Initially, bark from
straight trees is stripped down and collected in abundance. These are then
dried for a period of at least several months to a year. The bark chips are
then mixed with cold water to extract tannins. This process is similar to
brewing a pot of tea.
When the water turns
dark and the tan is strong enough, tanners soak the animal skin into it and
leave it in for several days. The tanning yard is divided into pits for
layering new and old hides. The process of dipping and soaking is repeated in a
weekly cycle until the hides are turned into leather. Vegetable tanning is a
slow and cumbersome process but produces tough leather with high tensile
strength suitable for making shoes and Argentina leather bags.
Benefits of vegetable tanning
This method is a slow,
yet elegant method of preparing leather.
It is specifically associated with classic goods and heritage clothes.
Listed below are some of the reasons why this process is highly valued by
people across the globe.
Leather is thick and tensile
Dipping and soaking
raw animal hide into organic tannic acid repeatedly makes it tough and sturdy.
This outcome is rarely achieved by any other artificial tanning processes.
Vegetable tanning ensures to increase the shelf life of leather. If you are
purchasing leather bags or shoes made from such leather, then be prepared to
have it as a long-term companion because these items are going to last for
ages.
It gives items an earthy and organic feel
Items made from
vegetable tanned leather never fail to dissatisfy the customers. It connects
them directly to nature. You can plainly feel and smell nature from the
products itself. If you are in for buying something that is pleasant and
soothing to touch and feel, then natural leather products are just for you.
Although the products are a bit expensive, they are sure to keep you content
for a longer duration.
Develops a patina
Much like your
preferred pair of jeans, leather products age in a similar manner, gradually
developing a patina as other elements and sebum from your skin infuse into it.
Patina is not a repulsive process, but it is the chief reason why people fall
in love with vegetable tanned leather.
Almost every item made
from natural leather, including your shoes, belts, and Argentina leather bags, develop a patina over time. Starting with
an appealing pale tan shade, it ultimately progresses into any variety of browns
and yellows through continuous wear and use.
Smell of nature
All leather items are known for its distinct smell. Unlike synthetic leather, natural leather has a much woody, rich, earthy, and pleasant odor. It is not the one that stinks up your whole house but a subtle odor that will remind you of Mother Nature. Pure, naturally prepared leather always has a mild odor and is easy on the nose.
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