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Leather is a material created through the tanning of hides, pelts and skins of animals, primarily cows. Leather is a very important clothing material, and its other uses are legion. Together with wood, leather formed the basis of much ancient technology. Leather with the fur still attached is simply called fur.
Forms of leather
There are a number of processes whereby the skin of a dead animal can be formed into a supple, strong material commonly called leather.
- Vegetable-tanned leather is tanned using tannin (hence the name "tanning") and other ingredients found in vegetable matter, tree bark, and other such sources. It is supple and brown in color, with the exact shade depending on the mix of chemicals and the color of the flesh. Vegetable-tanned leather is not stable in water; it tends to discolor, and if left to soak and then dry it will shrink and become less supple and harder. In hot water, it will shrink drastically and plasticize, becoming rigid and eventually becoming brittle.
- Alum-tanned leather is tanned using aluminum salts mixed with a variety of binders and protein sources, such as flour, egg yolk, etc. Purists argue that alum-tanned leather is technically "tawed" and not tanned, as the resulting material will rot in water. Very light shades of leather are possible using this process, but the resulting material is not as supple as vegetable-tanned leather.
- Rawhide is made by scraping the skin thin, soaking it in lime, and then stretching it while it dries. Like alum-tanning, rawhide is not technically "leather", but is usually lumped in with the other forms. Rawhide is stiffer and more brittle than other forms of leather, and is primarily found in uses such as drum heads where it does not need to flex significantly; it is also cut up into cords for use in lacing or stitching, or for making dog toys.
- Boiled leather is a hide product (vegetable-tanned leather) that has been hardened by being immersed in hot water, or in boiled wax or similar substances. Historically, it was used as armour due to its hardness and light weight, but it has also been used for book binding.
- Chrome-tanned leather, invented in 1858, is tanned using chromium sulfate and other salts of chromium. It is more supple and pliable than vegetable-tanned leather, and does not discolor or lose shape as drastically in water as vegetable-tanned. More esoteric colors are possible using chrome tanning.
- Brain-tanned leathers are exceptionaly absorbent of water. They are made by a labor-intensive process which uses emulsified oils (often those of animal brains) and which has not been industralized. They are known for their exceptional softness and their ability to be washed.
Leather :: Clothing
Apparel and Helmets :: Parts and Accessories
Ace Leathers Bikers Store - Shop on-line for men and women's leather clothing, including motorbike protective gear, from Norwich, Norfolk retailer.
Meta Description: [ Motorbike leather clothing online store from the UK ]
Bikers Paradise Clothing Co. - Leather clothing, jackets, jeans, boots and gloves for motorcyclists.
Meta Description: [ Bikers Paradise, UK. High quality leather jackets, motorcycle clothing, leather jackets, leather jeans, boots and motorcycle gloves for bike riders, motorbike leathers and fashion garments. ]
Celtic Sheepskin Co. - Sheepskin ugg boots, slippers and a wide range of accessories. Also luxurious sheepskin soft furnishings.
Meta Description: [ From the Celtic Sheepskin Company you can purchase a large range of high quality sheepskin products
including Boots, slippers, uggs, moccasins, cloggs and mules. In our accessories range we provide hats,
gloves,footmuffs, mitts, sheepskin bags and hot water bottle covers. New this year we are... ]
Eastman Leather Clothing - Range of specialist 40's style wartime flying jackets and accessories.
Meta Description: [ Welcome to the Eastman Leather Clothing website. We specialise in making extremely authentic, high quality reproductions of WWII vintage flight jackets and accessories. ]
Fort Apache - Western wear and leather goods, including cowboy supplies and accessories and bikers' leather.
Meta Description: [ Western wear and leather goods for the cowboy in your soul, whether you ride a custom bike, shoot or collect - come to Fort Apache. ]
Hideout - Motorcycle leathers and bike apparel from hideout leather in Royston.
Meta Description: [ Buy Motorcycle Clothing including Motorcycle Leather, Motorcycle Helmets, Motorcycle Boots, Leather Jacket, leather clothing. We also stock products such as Alpinestars boots, Sidi boots, Daytona boots, Held gloves, Shoei Helmets, Shuberth Helmets, Stella Clothing, Furygan Jackets, Rukka clothing... ]
Old English Sheepskin - Manufacturer and exporter of sheepskin coats, leather trousers and accessories based in Somerset. Includes product details, prices, sizing and ordering information.
Meta Description: [ Wide selection of sheepskin coats, ladies and men's, manufactured and exported worldwide. Also sheepskin hats, gloves, rugs and cushions, plus leather jackets and jeans. ]
The Sheepskin Slippers and Rugs Company - Traditional hand-made sheepskin slippers, rugs and baby gifts.
Meta Description: [ Sheepskin slippers traditional Morlands styles, rugs, flying jackets and baby rugs, cushions, sheepskin craftsmanship, made in England, ]
The Ultimate Leather - Offers dresses, skirts, jackets, jeans, coats and corsets. Catalogue, measuring instructions, shopping cart and photo gallery.
Meta Description: [ Premium quality leather jeans, leather dresses, leather coats, leather jackets, leather combat trousers and leather corsets - made in the UK from very soft skins ]
Wested Leather Company - Specialises in designing and selling the Indiana Jones leather jackets, as seen in the films starring Harrison Ford. Details of range, history, prices and online ordering.
Meta Description: [ Wested Leather, film costumiers and makers of the Original Indiana Jones and other Famous Film Jackets ]
Westward Bound - UK fetish shop online sells leather, bondage, rubber, latex, PVC, corsets and lingerie.
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