Chrome tan, Veg tan, Other tan....Help me understand

[bikermutt07]

I have also seen videos of a guy dropping trimmings I to boiling water. 

Veg will shrink a lot when it hits the water.

I'm not sure if this works with all the different animal species or just cows?

[Ed in Tx]

Just to add to the confusion.... There are also leathers that are chrome tanned first then veg "re tanned" As far as using chrome tanned leather for a holster, I certainly wouldn't put gun in one. I believe the issue arises when chrome tanned leather retains moisture from sweat or some other source. The chromium used in the tanning process can react with other metals.

I have seen holsters where the maker used a suede a the liner which I have been told is a big no no.. the suede fibers can rub off and get inside the working of the gun.

[RockyAussie]

39 minutes ago, chiefjason said:

Chrome tanned can't be used for holsters is an old Wive's tale.  I believed it for a long time.  But lots of small IWB holsters are made with Chrome tan from major manufactures.  It's stiffer for it's weight than veg tanned so you can use lighter leather and get the same result IWB.  

This is true and I can only say that I have found many Wives tales continue and I can be thankful that I have many times checked out the tale and found it to be false. Just because a person holds themselves up be knowledgeable in this area may only mean they want recognition.Many I have seen would learn a lot more if they stop teaching and start looking and listening more. BTW there are a lot more different methods  of tanning than Veg or Chrome and the variety of further processes on even just these 2 methods can make any claims with regards to tooling or moulding and many other assumed good uses quite wrong.

 

5 hours ago, Rossr said:

In regards to sheaths I have made I recommend folks kep thoer knives stored outside the sheath since the leather can hold moisture

And I have to say most leathers can hold oil well as well.

[Rossr]

In regards

3 hours ago, YinTx said:

This is my question exactly.  Also, would a heavily oiled/waxed leather like Sedgwicks be better for tools and knives?

YinTx

I would agree here with kiwi, I have had knives in veg tan for  years as well with no issues .  Its just important to note that leather can hold the moisture.  Also bear in mind if you are using a knife in the outdoors so in cold weather you have a higher chance of moisture issues once back in side or if you were out in the rain or snow.   If you are in a climate controlled area...whole different ball game

 

So seems we have a lot of things in play here,   from what I can take from above, overall chrome tan probably not good for metal. Although we have a vote saying that might be false.  Would love some more data on that.   

In regards to knife sheaths or holsters it seems to me safest avenue is veg tan.   IF it can be found of course and is cost effective.   Deer hide seems there is a lot around but on some quick searches the veg tan variety seems harder to find.    I do like the thought and style of lining a sheath with it...but would hate to have a $500 knife ruined cause of the wrong leather. 

This has been very informative so far..mare data the better.

 

Ross

 

 

[rodneywt1180b]

I'm still very new to this game and certainly have a lot more questions than answers.  I do know I've seen "deer tanned" mentioned as well as "brain tanned" and "alum tanned".  Deer tanned may or may not be one of the other two.  I've also seen eggs mentioned as a tanning agent, maybe a variation on brain tanning?

I also have trouble with "oil tanned" .  What is it exactly? I'm guessing the oil is a treatment applied after the leather is either chrome or vegetable tanned but I'm really not sure.  I do know I like the looks of it.

It's a really confusing subject for me.  I'll be reading Mike's article and following this thread closely.

On a related note, I prefer soft, pliable, stretchy leather for my cane handles because it's easier to get it to conform to compound curves.  I bought a piece of brown leather that is great to work with, the black leathers I've bought have been way stiffer.  *EDIT* I'm not blaming the color here.  I know that doesn't make a difference*  Stiffer leathers don't work as well.  Right now it's a real crap shoot for me with more misses than hits. What terms or leather types  should I look for for these traits when I'm shopping leather?  If this question is better as a separate thread, please tell me.

 

 

Edited February 6, 2018 by rodneywt1180b

[LatigoAmigo]

This is quite an interesting and entertaining topic.

Here is, to either confuse or clarify, a link to the Hide House catalog, which lists their many types of leather and a brief explanation of each. I would dare say that these guys probably know the business of leather and leather types as well as anyone.

Hide House Catalog.pdf

[chiefjason]

FYI, the Desantis Sof tuck is chrome tanned.  I don't think they are ruining guns with it.  Had to track down the thread where that came up.  

Chrome tanned leather will have no effect on a gun that veg tanned leather won’t. It’s an old wives tale. We use both types here and have done so for many years.

I personally carry a G19 in a holster that is chrome tanned with no ill effects.

Gene Desantis
Desantis GunHide
(800) 424-1236

[Dun]

Carry and storing might be different? 

[fredk]

9 hours ago, rodneywt1180b said:

On a related note, I prefer soft, pliable, stretchy leather for my cane handles because it's easier to get it to conform to compound curves.  I bought a piece of brown leather that is great to work with, the black leathers I've bought have been way stiffer.  *EDIT* I'm not blaming the color here.  I know that doesn't make a difference*  Stiffer leathers don't work as well.  Right now it's a real crap shoot for me with more misses than hits. What terms or leather types  should I look for for these traits when I'm shopping leather?  If this question is better as a separate thread, please tell me.

[my embolding] Soft, pliable stretchy, doesn't depend on the tanning method. Its the 'type' of leather, or where it came from on the animal. eg on cow and such animals [ buffalo, camel, horse] the part along the spine, the back, is thick and stiff, the belly part is stretchy and very pliable

I have 2mm belly leather that stretches like rubber [ok, exaggeration but almost] and 2mm back leather that is very stiff; both are veg tanned. I also have 'upholstery' leather which is chrome tanned, some of it can be stretched but some is much stiffer. The chrome tanned is pre-dyed and lacquered; its various shades of brown, I can use it like that or dye it black, but I can't tool it. Its also 1 to 1.8mm thick, maximum

You need to get veg tanned belly leather or upholstery leather or even 'clothing' leather - leather that is suitable for motorcycling 'leathers' is clothing leather which is stretchy

[billybopp]

@rodneywt1180b  Give "deer tanned" leather a try.  It's very soft with a good amount of stretch - It would have a very nice feel for what you are doing.  Deer, Elk and Moose are usually tanned this way, but cow can be too.  I don't know how it is made in tanneries in the modern world ( I suspect some variation of chrome tannage ), but it was traditionally done with brain, sometimes eggs added and other things.  Native Americans supposedly said "Every animal has enough brain to tan its own hide".  If you look about on youtube, you'll find a few videos on brain tanning - they tend to be a little gross tho.

- Bill