ukfossil Report post Posted April 30, 2010 Hi all, I recently bought a hide from Clayton Tanners of Chesterfield UK, I asked for a hide that would be good for very heavy, tool work belts for the construction trade. They suggested Chrome tan but I wanted to dye my belts so they came up with a double butt dressing hide of about 4.5mm substance. When I received it, it felt very stiff almost like sole leather so rang them and they said they would change it, If I wanted to visit the tannery I could select a hide of my choice. I only live 50 miles from the tannery so made a trip there and they gave me a full tour of the warehouse and cutting rooms (Heaven) there must have been 1000's of hides of every type you can think of and of cause I couldn't decide so they ran the dressing hide I took back through a massive roller type tool that beat the hell out of the leather and left me with a much softer hide just right for my needs. Now my problem is after cutting straps of 2" I gave them a good coating of neatsfoot oil, let dry, dyed and let dry, then a coating of canueba creme and buffed but the middle part of the straps have become wrinkled. Has anyone any idea why? or what I may be doing wrong. Thanks if anyone can help. mick. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
iwannabeacowboy Report post Posted May 1, 2010 " ran the dressing hide I took back through a massive roller type tool that beat the hell out of the leather" maybe it loosened up the layers of leather that when waxed and rubbed caused this. I'm only guessing. charlie Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ukfossil Report post Posted May 2, 2010 I think you are right charlie. Another ( expensive) lesson. I don't think they'll take it back in 2" strips. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
UKRay Report post Posted May 10, 2010 I think you are right charlie. Another ( expensive) lesson. I don't think they'll take it back in 2" strips. Mick, I would venture to suggest that the leather Claytons suggested would have been perfect for your job. Claytons are experts in industrial leathers - in fact, they probably know more about heavy leather than any other tannery in the UK. What this looks like is leather that someone has bent and flexed as they worked on it. The trick is to keep the stuff flat if you don't want it wrinkled. IMHO almost any leather would wrinkle if it had been given the treatment you describe. You have deliberately pounded and broken down the fibres of the leather to make it 'softer' but that also makes the top grain softer too. Hence the wrinkled surface. Not what you want to hear but... Ray P.S. No, they won't take it back in 2" strips - would you? LOL Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
