Links/instructions on tanning leather?

[Nihonius Legio]

Hi, does anyone know of a link to instructions on vegtable tanning leather? I'm sure it would save alot of money for those of us near the cows, but far from buying expensive tanned leather.

Thanks.
Jared

[jkaler48]

So you live alone and your nearest neighbors are several miles away?
These are generally accepted criteria for home leather tanning.

[Nihonius Legio]

So you live alone and your nearest neighbors are several miles away?
These are generally accepted criteria for home leather tanning.

Well I live in town, but the town only has about 7,000-10,000 people in it. No leather store. The nearest place with one is about 150 miles away. I went there and you have to buy a whole hide for like $100 at least, they wont cut it smaller for you. So if I could get a butcher or something to give me some skins, and I knew how to tan them, then that would be awesome

[Amalric]

What John is referring to is the smell that is associated with the tanning process. It is something that people living with you or near you would probably not appreciate. I don't know of any links offhand. You could probably find a good site by doing a google search.

[jkaler48]

Indeed smell is what I was referring to:
See:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tanning
(How to tanning links are at the bottom of the article)

[Magnus]

Jared, did you price out ordering leather online?

[M. Demetrius]

Also, the Leather Factory sells tanning materials. I'd suggest with all my might that you tan something the size of a fox or coyote before tackling a whole cow skin. It's not nearly as easy as the books, say, and after doing it a couple of times with raccoon and deer, I decided it was really cheaper and healthier for me to buy already finished leather.

It's the nastiest thing I've ever done, and that includes diarrheal baby diapers. Honest.

Some people don't mind it, but my shed smelled like rotting flesh and fat for months after the deerskin episodes.

[Nihonius Legio]

Jared, did you price out ordering leather online?

I havent been able to yet. Been busy with school and life. But I have been collecting local materials and more info when I can to make things for my costume and learn more about proper equipment. But I will look into it. If tanning my own leather doesnt look too difficult, I'll give that a try and see how it turns out.

[Buggnkat]

I havent been able to yet. Been busy with school and life. But I have been collecting local materials and more info when I can to make things for my costume and learn more about proper equipment. But I will look into it. If tanning my own leather doesnt look too difficult, I'll give that a try and see how it turns out.

Not to sound mean here but if you dont have time for computer search you most certainly do not have time for tanning, especially natural tanning.

I would recommend taking the hide to a taxidermist and have him work it for you or buy the skin already done at Tandy Leather.

Greg

[Gaius Julius Caesar]

Definately the way to go, I would say!
Just doing things from the ready tanned hides will take up your time, for sure....!

[Athena Areias]

Google Zack Leather (out of NC). They found a lightweight veg-tan cowhide for me- I got two 36" diameter circles out of it plus rim strips for my Greek Aspis. Very reasonable, very helpful sales reps...

They handle all kinds of stuff - better on-line catalogue browsing than McMaster-Carr!

[Nihonius Legio]

Thanks for the suggestions, I really do need to look at online catalogues for leather. Though it sounds nasty (brains and poo), tanning does sound interesting to try out. Maybe this summer when I'm out of school.

[M. Demetrius]

http://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/RequestCatalog.asp