Genuine leather often undergoes different types of tanning, which is necessary to keep the hide free from rotting. Asides from popular options like vegetable and chrome tanning, there is another effective curing method termed “brain tanning.”
Brain-tanned leather is durable piece made from hides tanned with juices of the animal’s brain mass. Although this tannage is rare in the modern world, it remains one effective traditional method of refining leather.
Since each tanning method further influences the characteristic features of the finished products, brain-tanned leather is known to be pliable and have a comfy feel. While you may not be overly familiar with such leather, this article offers you exposure to all crucial to know about brain-tanned leather.
What Is Brain-Tanned Leather?
Brain-tanned leather is a material sourced from animal hides and subjected to brain tanning. Kindly note that brain tanning is a form of curing that employs the juices from the brain mass of the animal.
Tanners ascertain that using brains for tanning leather breaks down the hide’s connective tissues, thanks to the enzymes and fats that the brain releases. You would find brain-tanned leather with many variations, with smoked options having a darker appearance, while non-smoked variants emerging white or lightly colored.
A soft and supple feel characterizes this type of leather; it is flexible, breathable, and highly durable. With some of the animal’s hair still intact, this piece works well for making traditional “leather and fur” products.
However, the properties of each characteristic animal hide further determine the end products for brain-tanned leather. For instance, the stretchiness and softness of elk leather come in handy for making clothing items like brain-tanned leather jackets and even bags.
Moose leather, on the other hand, is thick and works best for making moccasins and furniture pieces. The furs on the animal are not left out; they are durable options that suit various ornamental applications.
Brain-Tanned Leather Explained
Leather tanning has gone through several modifications. Before the invention of chemical tanning, leather tanners cured hides with various concoctions, ranging from urine to natural tannins from plant bark and leaves.
These substances successfully soften and degrease the leather and preserve them from decomposing. Nevertheless, animal brains remain one of the tanning substances with a track record of great success.
What is brain tanning for? It is a refining method for raw leather hides that employs refined oils and enzymes from the brain tissues. Brain-tanned leather mostly comes from hunting and wild games like deer, beaver, and raccoon. However, all hides of mammals appear suitable for such tanning methods.
The production process for brain-tanned leather is very different from other tannage forms. Comparing brain tanning vs. chemical tanning like chrome tanning, you would find the former labor and time intensive, but the result is also attractive.
Brain tanning can be traced to ancient North American Indians as an ancient method. Hence, brain-tanned leather is also called “Indian leather.” This tannage is also familiar amongst various Asian groups, the Sami (in Scandinavia), and the Zulus in Africa.
How to Make Brain-Tanned Leather
Knowing the procedures involved in producing brain-tanned leather would keep you more informed about the leather’s properties and how to make good use of it. Also, you can decide to take on such DIY leather hide tanning project – so here’s how to make brain-tanned leather