Birchee

As it is directly related I'll drop a article I just published on beeswax and its penetration on leather. https://birchees.ca/does-beeswax-penetrate-leather/

Woops, thanks for letting me know. I can't edit so will drop it here: I use Canada Post for national and international shipping. Shipping cost is generally between $15 and $25 for regular parcel in north america and $25 to $35 for regular parcel to EU. You also have faster more expensive options for shipping such as xpresspost international but it is about 2-3 x the cost of regular parcel

I make some birch tar based leather conditioner and wax which some of you might be interested in, it is quite different from other conditioners and waxes. Leather Conditioner Ingredients Beeswax Jojoba Birch tar D-limonene Stabilizer (mix of antioxidants and tocopherols) Very strong smoky smell (smell of russia leather with a hint of oranges) imparted on the leather which fades down to slightly smoky after a week or so, lasts for up to a year. Penetrates well and has great resistance against water, salt, fungi, pests, and even rodents, long lasting. Does not overly soften, dries well and not tacky. Very stable, I have never seen it oxidize, and does not go rancid. Leather Wax Ingredients Beeswax Coconut oil Birch tar Stabilizer (mix of antioxidants and tocopherols) Much of the same benefits as the conditioner but not as good of penetration, beeswax stays at the top while some of the oils penetrate. Dries well, may be a little tack for a week or so after application. Designed to work with the conditioner. Both applied and leather is highly water resistant for up to a year and in some cases longer. $25 CAD for conditioner (4oz jar) $18 CAD for wax (4oz jar) Due to trump nuking the de minimis deal and setting additional duty fees I charge an additional 35% duty fee to cover the cost as it has to be pre-paid not passed to the receiver. These products perform extremely well in harsh environments but are not for everyone. They will darken leather significantly and the smell is intense until it fades.

Welcome, haappy to share Thanks. Yep I am over in Cote Nord Quebec, we are neighbours

I have published a complete guide, it is more complete than my OP: https://birchees.ca/how-to-make-salmon-leather-updated-method/

Here are some farmed salmon leathers. Canadian dime is 1.2mm thick. The wild salmon are a bit thicker, but it is rare I get my hands on those here in the east.

It is about 1mm, it thickens up a little some during the tanning process so the finished skin is a little more than the original. It is very durable and has high wear resistance. Tensile strength is anywhere from 4 to 8 times regular leather due to the crosshatched fibers.

@bvdv @kgg I don't make anything from them yet, but I am planning to start this winter. I have some locals who have seen the leathers and have asked if I can make wallets and rifle slings. Here is a wallet a guy I know made with some of the leather, wallets about 4 years old here:

I have been making Salmon leather on and off for 4-5 years now, I always make it in very similar fashion as Russia leather was made. I believe I am the only one that makes Salmon leather in this way. The result is a very durable and wear resistant leather which is highly resistant to water, saltwater, molds, fungus, bacteria, and pests. After scraping and descaling the skins are soaked in a lime bath for 24 hours, followed by a vinegar bath for a few hours to bring the PH back to 5.5-6. They are then started in a 10:1 tea (inner bark of birch), tea is swapped out for full strength tea in small amounts as needed for seven days. They are then put in full strength tea for three days. Than they are partially dried and oiled either with mix of coconut oil and birch tar, or jojoba and birch tar, worked by hand until fully dry to keep them from stiffening up. They need to be hung for 3-4 weeks to allow the birch tar smell to mellow out. That smoky smell will persist for up to a year. This is the lime bath Bringing the PH back down in vinegar bath: Into the 10:1 birch tanning tea: Out of full strength tea and drying: Flesh side oiled and drying: Oiled and being worked until dry: Fully dried and oiled, hanging to air dry for a few weeks to let that smoky smell mellow out: Hope some of you find it interesting, a fair chunk of work but really enjoyable taking something that ends up in the garbage and making something useful from it. Oh and a bonus, me trying to tear it 😄

Great, thank you. Thanks! I will do that.

Thanks, great example of doing lots with little.

Hi all, I have been making salmon leather (russia leather style) for a few years now as well as some conditioner and wax all based off birch tar. They have become pretty popular in the area and I have people asking me if I can create some items like wallets and gunslings and use the salmon leather as inlay. There are no leather workers anywhere in this area that I am aware of. All things leather has my interest and so I would like to start learning, I have made a basic list to get started, if I am m issing something or you have any recommendations please do! - Utility knife / Xacto knife - Metal ruler + metal square - Japanese skiving knife - Hole punch - Stitching chisels (high quality) - Awls - Strap cutter - Stitching pony - Self healing cutting mat / board How does that look for starting?