How to Tan Harness Leather

Except for rawhide, all leather goes through a tanning process before it is used and the process varies according to actual use of the leather product. For harness leather, which is used for work or show saddlery, you want thick and durable leather that is also soft and subtle. Doing this requires treating the leather with specific vegetable tanning agents which are powerful enough yet gentle enough to cause the desired effects.

Instructions

1  Fill half the kettle with water and put on a fire or commercial stove to boil.

2  Add the catechu, salt and alum to the water once you have reached a boil and reduce the heat to a rolling boil. Stir the water until all the salt and alum dissolve and the catechu is evenly soaked and bleeding its astrigent juices into the water.

3  Place the calfskin in the kettle and stir until it is completely saturated. Keep stirring the kettle and the calfskin every hour to make sure that it is absorbing the tanning mixture evenly.

4  Turn off the heat and cover the calfskin and the tanning mixture. Place the covered kettle and calfskin in a cool dry place and allow to soak for a minimum of six days.

5  Remove the calf hide from the tanning solution when it is done tanning and stretch it out. Hang it up in an airy place where it is open to its full width and height. Allow to dry before working with it or treating it any further.