GLOSSARY

Veg-tanned leather has been tanned with vegetable matter such as bark, wood, leaves, and fruit, causing warm undertones. Veg-tanned leather ages very well, develops great patinas, and is environmentally friendly (and in most cases, recyclable). This is the type of leather traditionally used in leatherwork, particularly for tooling and carving. The process for tanning is significantly longer than that of chrome-tanning, but creates higher quality leather.

Chrome-tanned leather has been tanned with chromium sulfate. It has a blue undertone and has a softer drape than veg-tanned leather, depending on thickness. It’s less environmentally friendly, more economical, and is the common tanning process for garment leather and upholstery leather.

 

Oil-tanned leather is made when leather (veg or chrome, but at Louise Goods, always veg-tanned) is coated or dipped in hot waxy oils before leaving the tannery. It allows for a beautiful “pull up” effect – gives lots of highlights and shadows to the leather.

 

Harness leather is veg-tanned leather that has been stuffed with fats and oils prior to leaving the tannery, leaving it soft but still able to retain a shape once it's been made into a product. It's softer than a regular veg-tan and isn't as oily as an oil-tan. 

 

English Bridle leather is veg-tanned leather that has been stuffed with fats and oils prior to leaving the tannery, leaving it soft but pretty firm, capable of retaining a shape once cut and sewn.

 

Oil made from the shinbones and feet of cows. It should be noted that the hooves are not used in the making of neatsfoot oil. When oiling leather, it’s best to use pure neatsfoot oil – avoid compounds. Also, it works best when warmed past room temperature.

 

A product used to soften, waterproof, and condition leather goods -- made up of wax, oil, and tallow. We have a house recipe here at Louise Goods -- 5 ingredients, all natural and organic. 

 

The effect of aging something. In terms of leather, it refers to the darkening/shining effect seen over time and use of a product.

  

Skin of the cow bought by the side (left or right side of the cow) or the hide (whole cow) and measured in square feet (or meters).

 

A technique for handsewing leather; creates a stronger stitch than machine sewing. Allows for quicker repairs, as one broken stitch doesn’t ruin the whole row.

 

Applying a combination of water, oils, waxes, and friction with a bit of canvas or wood to the end of a piece of leather. Creates a finished edge.

 

Small metal component used in the construction of leather goods.