Oil Leather

[JC Javelle]

I stopped by my local Tandys today on my way home from work.

They've some new hides laid out, including a Mustang Oil Side. It's a medium brown, turns light when you fold it, and is so so soooo soft. WANT!!!!!

How is oil hide made? I assume it is just leather that has been coated in oil repeatedly, but is it dipped in hot oil? Is it hand coated repeatedly until it just gets that soft? How is it done? Because this stuff is just THAT soft... I want it! Can't afford it, but I want it. Making my own [cowboy] hat out of this stuff would be awesome.

[Jazznow]

Hi,

Ukray just gave me an old issue of shoptalk (March 2010). On page 32 there is a Short article on different tannages. It says that tanners and Shops often confuse their customers by calling something Oil leather because it can actually Be either oil tanned leather or chrome tanned leather with an Oil coat. Real Oil Tanned leather has the grain removed because the tanning Oil could not go deep enough into the leather with the grain still on it.

Don't know if that helps, but i found this article quite interesting.

Greetings,

Jonathan

Edited July 10, 2011 by Jazznow

[JC Javelle]

Hi,

Ukray just gave me an old issue of shoptalk (March 2010). On page 32 there is a Short article on different tannages. It says that tanners and Shops often confuse their customers by calling something Oil leather because it can actually Be either oil tanned leather or chrome tanned leather with an Oil coat. Real Oil Tanned leather has the grain removed because the tanning Oil could not go deep enough into the leather with the grain still on it.

Don't know if that helps, but i found this article quite interesting.

Greetings,

Jonathan

I can see how that would be confusing. I don't remember the grain on these sides, only that it was really soft and supple (like a good bridle or pair of chaps that is well worn and well oiled). It was a dark brown, definitely soaked in oil (was warned about it staining), that turned lighter where it was bent. The leather was about a 5 oz weight too.

[benlilly1]

I purchased some of the oiled leather from Tandy a couple months ago when it was on sale. It is nice leather. I haven't done anything with it yet. Are you sure it will hold it's shape if you make a hat out of it? Mine is really flexible. I don't make hats but it's something to think about.

I stopped by my local Tandys today on my way home from work.

They've some new hides laid out, including a Mustang Oil Side. It's a medium brown, turns light when you fold it, and is so so soooo soft. WANT!!!!!

How is oil hide made? I assume it is just leather that has been coated in oil repeatedly, but is it dipped in hot oil? Is it hand coated repeatedly until it just gets that soft? How is it done? Because this stuff is just THAT soft... I want it! Can't afford it, but I want it. Making my own [cowboy] hat out of this stuff would be awesome.

[JC Javelle]

I purchased some of the oiled leather from Tandy a couple months ago when it was on sale. It is nice leather. I haven't done anything with it yet. Are you sure it will hold it's shape if you make a hat out of it? Mine is really flexible. I don't make hats but it's something to think about.

I'm currently making one out of some 5 oz leather. Can't say I wouldn't mind some thinner stuff.

[flintlock]

I think I would use latigo if I were making a hat,.

I stopped by my local Tandys today on my way home from work.

They've some new hides laid out, including a Mustang Oil Side. It's a medium brown, turns light when you fold it, and is so so soooo soft. WANT!!!!!

How is oil hide made? I assume it is just leather that has been coated in oil repeatedly, but is it dipped in hot oil? Is it hand coated repeatedly until it just gets that soft? How is it done? Because this stuff is just THAT soft... I want it! Can't afford it, but I want it. Making my own [cowboy] hat out of this stuff would be awesome.