Britains Last Traditional Tannery

[Kepis]

Fascinating slide show and audio commentary about the last traditional tannery in Britain.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/in-pictures-14442109

For info the link, may not work in some areas around the world because of the BBC Licensing system.

 

[udamiano]

Really fascinating, thanks for putting it up, I had no idea that you could tan hides using an oak bark tea.

 

[Black Sheep]

Great link.

I've seen similar before from a different tannery. I don't think folks realize that it takes a year to tan the hides this way.

I've been lucky enough to work with some proper oak taned leather and it is wonderful stuff and smells great.

Cheers

Richard

 

[Kepis]

Great link.

I've seen similar before from a different tannery. I don't think folks realize that it takes a year to tan the hides this way.

I've been lucky enough to work with some proper oak taned leather and it is wonderful stuff and smells great.

Cheers

Richard

Oh yes, the proper stuff takes some serious beating imo, like you say the smell is magnificent

 

[shaggystu]

really interesting that kepis, thanks for posting

 

[Black Sheep]

Not sure the Beeb has got it's facts right

There are several other Tannery's using the same process, OK may be not dating back 150 years or to Roman times, but they are still in business today here's a few..............

http://www.corporatedvd.co.uk/je/je_h.wmv - interesting video

http://www.metropolitanleather.com/history.php

http://www.cfstead.com/index2.htm

Also it's interesting that Bakers buy the hides in and only tan them they don't deal with them from start to finish.......

They buy them in form someone like these folks.....

http://www.bradford-hide.co.uk

Personally I buy mine from a Leather merchant - wholesaler who stocks just about every type of leather you can dream of and I get to hand pick my own

Richard

 

[Kepis]

Personally I buy mine from a Leather merchant - wholesaler who stocks just about every type of leather you can dream of and I get to hand pick my own

same here

 

[Black Sheep]

Oh yes, the proper stuff takes some serious beating imo, like you say the smell is magnificent

Only problem with Oak bark stuff is it goes black when its wet and comes into contact with steel (especially O1) and can stain the steel as well:yikes:

You have to be really careful how you handle it when wet moulding as any bit of metal can cause irrecoverable black/blue marks on the surface

It's the same as dying it with iron tables or vinigeroo.

Richard

 

[lannyman8]

some good reading, thanks gents...

this site rules.....

chris.