Tanning

Tanning is the process by which the hides are converted into a material retains its flexibility and does not putrefy when it comes into contact with water. Tanned hides can then be put to a variety of uses depending on the requirements of the crafter.

There are a variety of ways in which the pelts can be tanned and the method and materials used depend upon the end use that the leather is destined for. The most commonly used material is ‘chromium’ which leaves the end product a pale blue, called ‘wet blue’ due the colour of the chromium.

In order to tan the hides, they are placed into a huge drum which is able to rotate on an axle. They are then immersed in a float which contains the tanning liquor. The hides are allowed to remain in the float whilst the drum rotates slowly to allow for the penetration of the liquor into the entirety of the hides.

Once an even penetration has been observed, through the cutting of cross-section the pH of the float is slowly raised in a process called ‘basification’. The basification of process fixes the tanning liquor to the hides and this leads to increased hydro-thermal stability and a higher shrinkage temperature resistance in the finished product.