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

[Rossr]

I have done some google searches and found many forums and one off suggestions not to use chrome tan for knife, axe sheaths or holsters Then I did stumble on this ....On reddit just to add more confusion

https://www.reddit.com/r/Leathercraft/comments/4y005l/solved_can_chrome_tanned_leathers_be_used_for/

 

Again for me this is a issue of if I start to produce lined sheaths and I use deer skin, just want to be sure that its not going to rust the blade.  I will say i am still searching for deer hide that is veg tan.....

 

One thing I am confident on is moisture in any leather will rust your blades.  

[chiefjason]

43 minutes ago, Rossr said:

I have done some google searches and found many forums and one off suggestions not to use chrome tan for knife, axe sheaths or holsters Then I did stumble on this ....On reddit just to add more confusion

https://www.reddit.com/r/Leathercraft/comments/4y005l/solved_can_chrome_tanned_leathers_be_used_for/

 

Again for me this is a issue of if I start to produce lined sheaths and I use deer skin, just want to be sure that its not going to rust the blade.  I will say i am still searching for deer hide that is veg tan.....

 

One thing I am confident on is moisture in any leather will rust your blades.  

Check out this thread on DC.  It's where I found out CT leather is fine.  FWIW, Red Nichols has likely forgotten more about designing, selling, and making holster than some of us will ever know.  He comes off a bit brash at times, but his knowledge on holsters is unmatched in the industry.  He worked with Bianchi and others.  

http://www.defensivecarry.com/forum/defensive-carry-holsters-carry-options/228758-sof-tuck-chrome-tanned.html

 

[sheathmaker]

@Rossr,  I answered your private message.

 

I specialize in high quality, relatively expensive knife sheaths which are made for knives from $1000 to $20,000 and are now scattered all over the world

I am neither advocating for or against Chrome Tanned leather.  I have used Chrome Tanned ( and possibly other tanning) Deer skin for over 20 years for lining my knife sheaths.

I have also used it for personal items.  In all that time I have never had, nor heard of a problem in any of my work attributable to Chrome Tanned Deer skin or other Chrome tanned leathers

 

Paul Long

[bikermutt07]

3 minutes ago, sheathmaker said:

@Rossr,  I answered your private message.

 

I specialize in high quality, relatively expensive knife sheaths which are made for knives from $1000 to $20,000 and are now scattered all over the world

I am neither advocating for or against Chrome Tanned leather.  I have used Chrome Tanned ( and possibly other tanning) Deer skin for over 20 years for lining my knife sheaths.

I have also used it for personal items.  In all that time I have never had, nor heard of a problem in any of my work attributable to Chrome Tanned Deer skin or other Chrome tanned leathers

 

Paul Long

And that folks, is from a true blue expert.

Thanks for chiming in, Mr. Long.

[Dun]

52 minutes ago, sheathmaker said:

@Rossr,  I answered your private message.

 

I specialize in high quality, relatively expensive knife sheaths which are made for knives from $1000 to $20,000 and are now scattered all over the world

I am neither advocating for or against Chrome Tanned leather.  I have used Chrome Tanned ( and possibly other tanning) Deer skin for over 20 years for lining my knife sheaths.

I have also used it for personal items.  In all that time I have never had, nor heard of a problem in any of my work attributable to Chrome Tanned Deer skin or other Chrome tanned leathers

 

Paul Long

Would you say long term storage falls under this or just during carry use?

Thanks paul

[kiwican]

Nice find Ross.  Imperical evidence seems to be lacking and it also seems we may have had the issue wrong in the first place. I went back to look at my needle files in the chrome tan roll I made a few years back. No issues at all

[sheathmaker]

@Dun,  Long term storage and any effect any leather has on the contents stored therein depends on the average temperature and relative humidity at the location.  In a very warm and or damp climate, it would probably be prudent to store your knives/guns/other metal items outside their sheathe or holster.  I find that I have much more trouble with Verdis Gris, (that green crap on Brass and Nickel), but that seems to happen just as frequently in Veg Tan as Chrome Tan.   In any case if you have any reason to believe the sheath or holster might have been wet or even damp remove the knife or gun and make sure it has dried thoroughly before any subsequent use.

Paul

Edited February 7, 2018 by sheathmaker

[Dun]

3 hours ago, kiwican said:

Nice find Ross.  Imperical evidence seems to be lacking and it also seems we may have had the issue wrong in the first place. I went back to look at my needle files in the chrome tan roll I made a few years back. No issues at all

 

51 minutes ago, sheathmaker said:

@Dun,  Long term storage and any effect any leather has on the contents stored therein depends on the average temperature and relative humidity at the location.  In a very warm and or damp climate, it would probably be prudent to store your knives/guns/other metal items outside their sheathe or holster.  I find that I have much more trouble with Verdis Gris, (that green crap on Brass and Nickel), but that seems to happen just as frequently in Veg Tan as Chrome Tan.   In any case if you have any reason to believe the sheath or holster might have been wet or even damp remove the knife or gun and make sure it has dried thoroughly before any subsequent use.

Paul

Thanks guys. Great to get specific answers!

[Wyowind]

11 hours ago, billybopp said:

@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

You can also use liquid lecithin as a substitute but brains are the best to get a nice soft hide.  I’ll second what you said about each critters brain being enough to tan it’s own hide...

[Rossr]

@sheathmaker   I want to Thank Paul for chiming in  with his extensive experience.  

 

Thank you to everyone for commented as well!

 

Lot of great conversation here, i have to admit I am not as concerned about chrome tan and metal as I was prior to this posting.  I am a firm believer that we all stand on the shoulders of those who came before us.  I also think it is important to share our knowledge and learn and teach when we can,  of course part of that is learning new things or finding out things we thought we knew werent so.....keep on sharing folks..its one of the reasons I enjoy the discussions on this forum...so much to learn.

 

Ross