dustin29 Report post Posted October 12, 2009 I have a side of leather that was inherited to me from my grandfather, and was wondering if it is Veg Tan. What are some of the ways to identify Veg Tan leather?It looks like Veg Tan but It feels a little softer than the other pieces of leather that I have worked with. Here are a couple pics. I am not sure if they will help, but I hope so. Thank You. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CitizenKate Report post Posted October 12, 2009 It looks like veg-tan. Does it absorb water easily? Kate Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TTcustom Report post Posted October 12, 2009 Without touching it I would say it looks like veg tan but that is a guess. How heavy is it? I know veg tan when I see it but that is a sorta zen koan, how do I know it? Well, hmmm the skin side doesn't seem to have a finish and water soaks immediately into it. I guess that is what tells me. But I wait to see how the old hands respond. I am sure there is a better way to tell that is clearer than my gibberish. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dustin29 Report post Posted October 13, 2009 It looks like veg-tan. Does it absorb water easily? Kate Hey Kate. It definately absorbed water easy enough. It also got really dark colored when I wet it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dustin29 Report post Posted October 13, 2009 Without touching it I would say it looks like veg tan but that is a guess. How heavy is it? I know veg tan when I see it but that is a sorta zen koan, how do I know it? Well, hmmm the skin side doesn't seem to have a finish and water soaks immediately into it. I guess that is what tells me. But I wait to see how the old hands respond. I am sure there is a better way to tell that is clearer than my gibberish. Thanks for the reply. It is 3-4 oz. I think? About a 1/16 of an inch thick. Is that what you meant by how heavy? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
celticleather Report post Posted October 13, 2009 When you make a cut, is the colour the same all the way through the thickness? If so, it is almost certainly veg tan. Chrome tan is usually grey in the middle of its thickness. When moistened, try striking an impression into the surface. If the impression remains sharp when the surface dries, it's veg tan. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TTcustom Report post Posted October 13, 2009 Thanks for the reply. It is 3-4 oz. I think? About a 1/16 of an inch thick. Is that what you meant by how heavy? Yup Dustin you got veg tan there. I was wondering what the oz. weight was , so you are right on there. Absorbs water and darkens up, check, veg tan. Now whatcha gonna make? I love my drunk forum answers, they make me laugh. Sorry about that. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dustin29 Report post Posted October 13, 2009 Thanks for the input Celtic Leather. Thanks TT, that makes two of us I also love your drunk forum answers. I am glad to hear that it is Veg Tan. I thought it was, but I wanted to make sure. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jeeperaz Report post Posted October 20, 2009 (edited) Taken from another forum: "burn a small piece(1/2" x1/2"). If the resulting ash is turquoise blue or green there is no question that chrome salts were used in the tannage. If the ash is pure grey or black(from the burnt sugars) it is a pure veg tannage. Edited October 20, 2009 by jeeperaz Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dustin29 Report post Posted October 20, 2009 That's cool thanks. I will give it a shot, and try it out. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
