birch tar [WTS] Birch Tar, Oil, and Pitch

[Otzi]

Started making a bit of tar and pitch for some of my own little projects and love it, also enjoy the making process. It seems simple at first but once you start to learn it there all types of little nuances that affect the finished tar, pretty neat. I have tried a bunch of different leather treatment and waterproofing products over the years, especially as I play and work in the bush.

 

Birch tar for me is one of the top out there, but I am also not a leather expert, just go by how my boots react and perform. I have found that Russia leather was apparently amazing and the big contributing factor to that was Birch tar. It lets the leather breathe yet keeps it waterproof, and the smoky smell it imparts is great. It does darken the leather some though.

I have a good supply and you can purchase at https://otzispouch.ca

If you buy and use it, I will discount your next order if you share your experience with it here on Leatherworker. Any questions just let me know!

[YinTx]

Interesting stuff.  Any samples of using it on leather, and how it should be applied?

YinTx

[Alisdair]

I'd be super interested: I love playing around with different historical finishes...but like YinTx, I'd be interested in  knowing some of your experiences.

[Otzi]

8 hours ago, YinTx said:

Interesting stuff.  Any samples of using it on leather, and how it should be applied?

YinTx

When the Russians were making "Russia Leather" they applied it to the inside of the leather, I have heard also from another old-timer that used it for a long-time that he always put it on the inside of whatever he was treating or waterproofing. In both cases though as far as I know this was so it would not change the appearance or interfere with staining (Russia Leather).

I have had good results simply applying it to the outside as I don't car if it darkens the leather. I warm the tar slightly to bring it into a more liquid state as it is easier to apply and absorbs quicker. I use a small paint brush (thanks kids) so I can really get in the seams. Let it set for 15-20 minutes and wipe of any excess, no need to let dry or cure more than that from what I can see. I am not a leather expert though so sure would love to have some of you here try it out and get your feedback.

 

I have used it more on wood, especially for knife handles and it works exceptionally well with a really nice dark walnut type patina. There is knifemakers from one country that use it alot, they hang the knife upside down in the tar and let it sit for a year or more. Apparently the handles when they come out are extremely tough and durable.

 

Edit: Just found it, the Finnish makers specifically for the Puukko knife handles.

 

3 hours ago, Alisdair said:

I'd be super interested: I love playing around with different historical finishes...but like YinTx, I'd be interested in  knowing some of your experiences.

 

I made a little video as well yesterday where I talk a little about it and give an example of the color change if interested.

 

 

[Otzi]

Text article also now available at: https://otzispouch.ca/leather-waterproofing-with-birch-tar/

[YinTx]

@Otzi, I was mildly interested in trying some out, but can you clarify the price justification?  It seems I can get a 10 oz bottle elsewhere for ~$26, 10 oz from you would be $350.

It would seem if I was making products, this could make them even more expensive than they already are, and thus harder for me to sell.  But is there something that makes one birch oil better than another?  Thanks for the info,

YinTx

[Otzi]

18 hours ago, YinTx said:

@Otzi, I was mildly interested in trying some out, but can you clarify the price justification?  It seems I can get a 10 oz bottle elsewhere for ~$26, 10 oz from you would be $350.

It would seem if I was making products, this could make them even more expensive than they already are, and thus harder for me to sell.  But is there something that makes one birch oil better than another?  Thanks for the info,

YinTx

@YinTx Can you send me a link to where you are seeing this? I have found a lot of essential oil sellers labeling as "Birch tar" which is incorrect, they are not even close to being the same product.

Edited August 21, 2019 by Otzi

[Otzi]

Ahh, ran out of time to edit the post above...

 

I only know of one other seller for birch tar at the moment and he sells mostly on Etsy. It takes a ton of bark to make one ounce by weight, so if you see it at a fraction of the cost of what I sell for then it is probably a different product such as essential oil or some such. For real tar they should be pretty = as long as the guy is not a sheister and tried to thin it out with alcohol or something like that.

There is one exception which is a very rare type of Birch oil which is a reddish brown instead of black, this was what as far as I know the high end Russia leather was curried with. I have never heard of anybody that has it, but I have figured out how to make it which took me weeks of digging. I won't have that until next spring as it can only be made that way in a short period of the spring.

 

Hope that helps! @YinTx

Edited August 21, 2019 by Otzi

[YinTx]

I'll PM you a link.  It's Russian birch tar, so if anyone can read the label and clarify what it is?

YinTx

[mikesc]

Birch Tar Oil..Brand is Farmaks..ships from Russia..available all over the web..especially on Ebay.
$9.90 for 100ml or 3.4 fl oz..also available in 500ml bottles $25.00..or cases..shipping is cheap.
Lots of uses..old remedy..works very well..
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Birch-tar-oil-100-ml-3-4-fl-oz-natural-antiseptic-diseases-Betula-Russia-/142666004310

Full product description In English and Russian is on that Ebay page..it is "the real deal", not an essential oil , ( they are made from steaming / distilling* the leaves and or blossoms / flowers / roots / rhizomes / bark / other parts of plants ).

In the UK and Ireland you used to be able to get ( maybe still can ) a product made from coal tar..from chemist shops and farm supply outlets..to do the same kind of things...There was ( is ? ) a soap that used smaller amounts of the coal tar.."Wright's Coal tar Soap"..antiseptic soap,..for when you were bathing in the tin bath, and for washing hair..

You may even be able to get it ( the coal tar oil or the birch tar oil ) in the USA from old style farm supply businesses..in areas with livestock, probably someone was making it in the USA or Canada under other brand names ..It is as old as the hills..Very little is "new", things just get forgotten by the many..and then they "come around" again..like using baking soda and vinegar for cleaning in the house..

HTH

* that isn't quite how you make "essential oils" but it is a simplified description of how they are made..I have friends here in France who make various types of essential oils.

Edited August 22, 2019 by mikesc