Tanning leather is the process which transforms the hides and skins to preserve them from deteriorating. For our purpose here a detail of the process of tanning is not necessary. Generally, there are two recognized types of proper tanning to achieve maximum protection and durability. The first and most widely used is a chemical tan. Because the chemicals are easier to acquire than oil or vegetable tan, this is a less expensive process. It is also much quicker and produces a softer more flexible product for the fashion industry. For general purpose leather, tanning in this manner is accepted and the resulting leather should give the user many years of use for their product.

Natural animal oil or vegetable tanning produces a stiffer product and therefore is used more frequently for furniture, tack or other products in which a softer more supple feel is not necessary or desirable.

Most of your more expensive leather products will be tanned using a chemical tan rather than the vegetable tan.

Drum tanning is preferred over hand tanning for a more complete infusion of the solutions. In drum tanning, hides are placed in an oversize tumbling drum along with the solutions and then deep tanned by rotating the drum until the hides are completely infused. Hand tanning can produce an acceptable tan if enough time and effort is expended deeply rubbing the oils or chemicals into the hide.

Leather durability is not an issue in determining which type of tanning process is used. Some consumers prefer a stiffer vegetable tanned leather over the "soft hand" feel of a chemically tanned leather. The biker leather industry, for instance, will often prefer a stiffer leather. If the leather is skived or trimmed to the same thickness the durability is comparable.

See www.hideoutflorida.com