Ancient, Functional, Beautiful: Leather
The art of leather working has been around for thousands of years. As it is practiced today, chemical tanning is shown on the walls of ancient Egyptian paintings, showing leather craftsmen dipping hides into tubs and mixing vats. Tanned animal hides have long been used for clothing as well as shelter and various other uses. Today leather is still in use for everything from leather address books, to cowboy boots, to large leather sketchbooks or a leather journal. Refillable journals allow you to keep the precious leather masterpiece and insert fresh pages for new writings.
Modern Leather Processing
To get from hide to a finished leather address book or leather sketchbooks the leather must go through a series of processing. The production starts by soaking the hide in water. This process removes any impurities from the hide as well as folds that may have developed over time. Next the hide is stretched and pressed – this removes excess water from the hide. Then the grain, also known as the outer surface, of the hide is mechanically separated from the lower half – the split. Following the splitting process the hide undergoes shaving – this creates a uniform thickness over the whole hide. Next the hide is trimmed and dyed. Dyeing is a crucial element in leather production. Depending on the dye being used, the leather will have different colors, softness and durability. The leather is then dried again, this time with special vacuums and hung on a conveyor belt to further condition it. Once the leather is conditioned it gets softened by “staking”- a machine that uses a mechanical beating motion to further smooth and soften the leather. It is then buffed and buffeted between mechanical drums to give special sheen to the leather and further soften the product. Finishing occurs next – the leather is given a treatment depending on the sheen, color and desired appearance. The leather is then ironed, which is vital for shine, and then measured and trimmed to ensure the finished leather has regular edges. It is finally ready to be selected, stored and shipped to customers. Of course at that point the leather is only done with its physical production. It is now read to be bound into books or tooled with designs by leather craftsmen. “Finished” leather is often far from finished.
Ancient Meets Modern
So whether you are looking for blank leather journals, a refillable leather sketchbook, that perfect set of boots, or a refillable leather journal, one can truly appreciate the time-consuming labor of love that goes into each object. They are true works of art.
Modern Leather Processing
To get from hide to a finished leather address book or leather sketchbooks the leather must go through a series of processing. The production starts by soaking the hide in water. This process removes any impurities from the hide as well as folds that may have developed over time. Next the hide is stretched and pressed – this removes excess water from the hide. Then the grain, also known as the outer surface, of the hide is mechanically separated from the lower half – the split. Following the splitting process the hide undergoes shaving – this creates a uniform thickness over the whole hide. Next the hide is trimmed and dyed. Dyeing is a crucial element in leather production. Depending on the dye being used, the leather will have different colors, softness and durability. The leather is then dried again, this time with special vacuums and hung on a conveyor belt to further condition it. Once the leather is conditioned it gets softened by “staking”- a machine that uses a mechanical beating motion to further smooth and soften the leather. It is then buffed and buffeted between mechanical drums to give special sheen to the leather and further soften the product. Finishing occurs next – the leather is given a treatment depending on the sheen, color and desired appearance. The leather is then ironed, which is vital for shine, and then measured and trimmed to ensure the finished leather has regular edges. It is finally ready to be selected, stored and shipped to customers. Of course at that point the leather is only done with its physical production. It is now read to be bound into books or tooled with designs by leather craftsmen. “Finished” leather is often far from finished.
Ancient Meets Modern
So whether you are looking for blank leather journals, a refillable leather sketchbook, that perfect set of boots, or a refillable leather journal, one can truly appreciate the time-consuming labor of love that goes into each object. They are true works of art.