Professional moccasin makers: how do they do it?

[fredk]

43 minutes ago, Aven said:

That doesn't look like their process.  They get it wet in room temp water, last it and let it air dry.  They show it at about 5:45 in the video.

That would be for veg tan

My bit you quoted was for chrome tan

[Aven]

I don't think they were using veg tan.  It might have been latigo, but definitely didn't look like veg tan.  It looked waxy and supple, but they did say they use all different kinds of leather.

[ScottEnglish]

Thanks for the link to the video Aven. 

[Latiguy]

The sole of the moccasin in the OP is not molded. That is chrome tan leather that just barely has a soft enough temper to shape without heat or water. A combination of edge skiving and the stitching method "gather" up the material at the upper edge resulting in the 3D shaping of the sole.

[ScottEnglish]

I've noticed Latiguy that you started a topic on thick chrome-tanned leather. I presume you're learning to make moccasins? I find skiving chrome-tanned leather takes an inordinate amount of time compared to vegetable-tanned leather. Chrome-tanned leather seems a tougher material and it also quickly dulls the edge of the knife.

Scott

[Matt S]

9 hours ago, ScottEnglish said:

Chrome-tanned leather seems a tougher material and it also quickly dulls the edge of the knife.

This is my experience also, both with hand tools and machine tools but I don't know about it taking more time. I guess it depends on the nature of the leathers, especially their temper. Soft chrome-tanned leathers are a breeze to skive with a sharp knife, whereas some are positively flinty and suitable only really for machine work.

[ScottEnglish]

Hi Matt.

I have limited experience of chrome-tanned leather but all the sides I have bought have been time consuming to skive. Unlike the undyed vegetable-tanned leather that I've worked with which has been a pleasure to skive.

Scott