Before a cowhide is turned into leather, it must go through a process known as tanning. While there are several methods of tanning a cowhide, almost 90% of the world’s leathers are tanned using chromium salts, which is toxic to the environment and has been known to cause cancer to those working with it. Nonetheless, it is the cheapest method and therefore the most widely used.
Meanwhile, only 10% of the world’s leather is tanned using vegetable matter, such as tree bark. It is a technique that is natural, eco-friendly, and extremely labor intensive, but produces a superior result. While the chrome tanned process takes as little as one day, the vegetable tanning process takes anywhere from six weeks to six months and costs up to six times.
The only type of cow leather Anne Wesley uses is vegetable tanned and your item will arguably be made with one of the finest and most expensive leathers available in the world.
“Nude” Vegetable Tanned Leather
Natural or “Nude” Vegetable Tanned Leather is vegetable tanned leather that has not been dyed; the color is truly natural. Unfinished veg-tanned leather has gained popularity because of the unique and distinctive character that develops with use and time, which cannot be replicated with chromium tanned leather. Natural Vegetable Tanned Leather will slowly develop a patina, turning into a beautiful glossy tan color, and resulting in a truly unique piece of leather.
Wickett & Craig Vegetable Tanned Leather
Founded in 1867, Wickett & Craig is one of the oldest tanneries in the USA, making the finest vegetable tanned leather in Pennsylvania. In fact, one of Wickett & Craig’s largest customers is Louis Vuitton.
We use unfinished Wickett & Craig Tooling Leather, as well as Wickett & Craig “English” Bridle Vegetable Tanned Leather, available in black and four different shades of brown; tan, chestnut, medium brown, and dark brown.