Smell of Leather

[YinTx]

1 hour ago, Big Sioux Saddlery said:

Both Hermann Oak and Wickett's leather has a pleasant smell, although not overly strong.  I honestly have to put my nose right up to a fresh side to smell it.  However, I guarantee that if there was a new side of saddle skirting from Brazil in the shop (it's been 30 years since there has, and it's not ever going to happen again), I would be able to smell it the second I walk in the door.  This is even more true of the harness and strap goods made in Asia.  That stuff stinks, and I can smell it from across the shop.  I hate to even have any of it sitting waiting for repairs to be done, because it makes the whole shop stink.  The leather from Brazil and the leather from Asia that I'm referring to do not smell the same, or even similar.  Some of the leather from Brazil smells a bit like 2,4-D weed spray.  The Asian-tanned leather that I'm talking about smells like. . . a cross between horse urine and something I can't even describe.  Leather tanned in Mexico has gotten less offensive, and I have used some Chahin leather, although I avoid it for the most part.  It has a less pleasant, less "leathery" smell than either Hermann or Wickett. 

I have not used Barenia leather, that I know of.  Nor have I used Sedgwicks, since I do very little English work. 

All that you say makes sense.  And the Hermann Oak smell really comes out for me when I case it - particularly the older leather I have.  And the veg tan that stinks---I have some of that crap!  I thought it had been ruined by a cat or dog or something - I tried to clean with Oaxalic acid, etc - helps, but wow!  Nice to know it is just the tannery formulas doing that.  I haven't used it for anything but prototyping it smelled so bad.

If you are curious, I can always send a bit of the Barenia and Sedgwicks for you to see/feel/smell.  Beautiful stuff for sure.  I don't do "English" work per se, but I like to use this leather when I can.  I have quite a bit of the Sedgwicks now, and can't wait to use it on something.

YinTx

[Big Sioux Saddlery]

12 hours ago, YinTx said:

All that you say makes sense.  And the Hermann Oak smell really comes out for me when I case it - particularly the older leather I have.  And the veg tan that stinks---I have some of that crap!  I thought it had been ruined by a cat or dog or something - I tried to clean with Oaxalic acid, etc - helps, but wow!  Nice to know it is just the tannery formulas doing that.  I haven't used it for anything but prototyping it smelled so bad.

If you are curious, I can always send a bit of the Barenia and Sedgwicks for you to see/feel/smell.  Beautiful stuff for sure.  I don't do "English" work per se, but I like to use this leather when I can.  I have quite a bit of the Sedgwicks now, and can't wait to use it on something.

YinTx

YinTx, that would be fantastic if you could send me some samples!  Mighty neighborly of you!  I don't see a location listed for you but I'm assuming you are in the states. . .Tx perhaps. Lol.  Do you acquire your Sedgwick's from overseas or is there a distributor in the states.  There may be an opportunity for me to start creating more English work.  The bridle leather from our domestic tanneries are just fair, and I know the high end English work made from real English bridle leather is far superior to anything tanned and made in the US.  I will PM you may address if you are willing to do that.  It is very much appreciated!!

[YinTx]

6 hours ago, Big Sioux Saddlery said:

YinTx, that would be fantastic if you could send me some samples!  Mighty neighborly of you!  I don't see a location listed for you but I'm assuming you are in the states. . .Tx perhaps. Lol.  Do you acquire your Sedgwick's from overseas or is there a distributor in the states.  There may be an opportunity for me to start creating more English work.  The bridle leather from our domestic tanneries are just fair, and I know the high end English work made from real English bridle leather is far superior to anything tanned and made in the US.  I will PM you may address if you are willing to do that.  It is very much appreciated!!

Yes, States, and yes, Texas. Got most of my Sedwick's from overseas, but some from here:  Tandy sells it now, it is pretty expensive.  Local store has a hard time moving it I think due to price.  Barenia is from France, but sold here in the States also.  It is considered by some the quintessential Hermes leather since that is what they started making their saddles with.

YinTx

[NVLeatherWorx]

The tanning formula is one of the main factors as to how a leather will smell.  A tanning run that has been done here in the U.S. using the traditional Oak tanning formula will have a smell but it won't be overly prominent.  I don't even smell the leather any more in my shop because I have stuck with the same sources since I started with leather.  However, I have tried some of the cheaper leathers just for giggles and have found that when you have leather that has been tanned in Asia, Mexico, Central and South America, and many other countries where their base materials are of lesser quality and not quality tanning products that you get leather that has a distinct aroma, somewhat Ammonia like, and that is due to the fact that (and this actually true information) the pH of the water used has a negative impact, the fact that the base formula is not of Oak but of other lesser quality barks and oils, and several of these countries actually include animal urine in the blend to help break down the cell structure of the raw hide.  All of this leads to a totally different and often disliked smell and when a piece of leather comes into my shop, whether I brought it in or someone comes in with an item that has been made with such leather, I get that smell immediately.  So, for those who think that the higher price does not always mean quality, I would suggest that you dabble with a range of leathers and see for yourself which one's are offensive or not, and which one's tool, dye, burnish, and shape well and you will find that the leathers here in the U.S. and some select tanneries in the U.K., France, and Italy have the finest leather there is and they all have the same things in common:  they use quality Oak based vegetable formula, high quality water (whether filtered or natural spring), and they use the same formula and processes as have been used since the founding of that tannery.  Yes, they do cost more than some of these other leathers like Tandy and other retailers but if you are serious about making quality leather goods you need to be serious about using quality leather and that will cost you a bit more do so.  

[Handstitched]

G'day,

So many people come to my workshop or stall , walk in , and say " *sniiiffff* " mmmmmm  I love the smell of leather"  

I can't smell it at all , with the exception of first thing in the morning when I open my workshop door. But after about 1/2 hour or less, it smells ' normal'.  I get used to it.  But my cuppa-soup  & toast at lunch  seems to cut through it   quite well though  

I used to make fibreglass pools in another life, thats another story, but  I  soon became impervious to that smell   

HS 

[Sceaden]

My brother brought some leather back with him from Morocco recently and man does that have a smell! Seems like they must use urine in the mix. It's decent leather but the back on the cowhide is so marked by fleshing knives that it needs to be lined.

 

[dougfergy]

I used to shop in Allen's Boots in Austin for years, and walking in there was a dream of leather smells.  Most of the leather I've used has a faint smell but never had any that stunk.  Of course I don't have the volume of leather experience most of you do.  I will say though, I did time years ago at a Ford dealership selling new trucks and those King Ranch packages with all the saddle leather interior were something to smell!  Reminded me of the boot shop.

I didn't realize there were so many types of tanning etc.  Very interesting.