Tanning and Leather (Industry and Product)

Deklitch Hardin

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Tanning and Leather (Industry and Product)

« on: 18 April 2011, 09:16:54 »

Industry/Product
Tanning/Leather

Overview
From work smocks to jerkins, shoes to hats, weapon grips to leather armour, and leather sacks, packs and riding gear, leather is a product used by most tribes on the face of Caelereth. The process of making leather is called tanning, and involves removing the hide from a dead animal, removing fur and hair from the hide, curing the hide and cutting it into a range of different objects. Tanning is labour intensive and is considered an "odiferous trade" across Caelereth, on the outskirts of towns and cities and amongst the houses of the poorest citizens. Depending on the region of Caelereth where the trade is being practiced, the hide of a variety of animals is used, as well as those of various races on select occasions.

Description of the Product
What does it look like? (and/or 'smell/taste/feel/sound' like) Are there different grades/types/kinds? How much do they cost? Is it sturdy and easily transported, or perishable?

Method of Production

What are the ingredients and materials required? How are they processed? Are there several steps or middlemen? Is one person involved from start to finish or is it a many-handed operation? What are the amounts? What are the results? Any by-products, either useful or harmful?

Areas of Production

Where is the product made - urban areas or country, on-location or in a 'factory', cottage industry/single proprietor/guild-manufactured? What areas of the province, what cities or towns are known for this industry? Trade relationships that depend on this product? How is it commonly transported and in what form?

Usage

What for is this product used? How is it used? What is made out of it? etc

History of the Industry
Give us some idea about how long this process has been known to the continent, or at least in Santharia. Any notable discoveries, breakthroughs, or innovations in the manufacturing process? Any famous inventors or experimentors? Any disasters?

Lore and Legend
Some interesting details and creative touches can be added here. For example:

"Malise-Keepers believe that the hive has a sentience of its own, a sort of 'group mind' if you will, although most common people laugh at this concept..."

or "On the Huiscen Plains, leather produced from cattle that have died naturally (as opposed to being slaughtered for their hides) is processed separately and given a higher price. It is thought that this leather will last longer and if made into any item of personal apparel, will help to extend the owner's life..."


« Last Edit: 09 October 2011, 11:41:44 by Deklitch Hardin »	Logged

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Deklitch Hardin

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Re: Tanning and Leather (Industry and Product)

« Reply #1 on: 03 October 2011, 01:05:41 »

Bumping for my attention ... still nothing to see here, unless you have any suggestions/ideas for me.


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Kane Minehunter

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Re: Tanning and Leather (Industry and Product)

« Reply #2 on: 05 January 2012, 23:53:52 »

Just feel liking putting my two pence in here. We all know that in the real world tanning must be one of the oldest human skills. But in the method of production I believe many have used different diverse chemicals to cure hide. For example, boiled brains have been used as well as excrement. Modern day, more advanced chemicals can be used like aluminium potassium sulphate. What I'm getting that is throughout time many things have been used. I suggest that a animals excrement we be the most suitable, depending on where the production is taking place of course.

After a little researched I found out some pretty interesting stuff, both modern and old;

Processes

Vegetable-tanned leather - the use of ingredients in vegetable matter, such as tree bark prepared in bark mills, and other such sources.

Rawhide - This one isn't really leather, its allot more brittle and not as soft and therefore not be good for your pair of gloves. It's used mainly in drum heads; is made by scraping the skin thin, soaking it in lime, and then stretching it while it dries.

Other modern ways include the use of man made chemicals and stuff which isn't really useful for your purpose.

Real Types of leather I found, that could easily be translated for Santharian use;

Slink - Slink is leather made from the skin of unborn calves. It is particularly soft and is valued for use in making gloves.

Buckskin or brained leather is a tanning process that uses animal brains or other fatty materials to alter the leather. The resulting supple, suede-like hide is usually smoked heavily to prevent it from rotting.

Nubuck is top-grain cattle hide leather that has been sanded or buffed on the grain side, or outside, to give a slight nap of short protein fibers, producing a velvet-like surface.

Animals, many have been used. The most common is cattle. But Kangaroo skin is used to make items which need to be strong but flexible—it is the material most commonly used in bullwhips. ( < hint hint )

Ostrich leather is currently used by many major fashion houses.

In Thailand sting ray leather is used in wallets and belts. Sting ray leather is tough and durable. Perhaps could be convertred to a Santharian sea creature. I'll have a look about.

I'll post more later, sources include "Dangerous book for boys." and some other random sites, check it out if your looking for more, Deklitch

http://www.alpharubicon.com/primitive/tanningdragoona.htm


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Deklitch Hardin

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Re: Tanning and Leather (Industry and Product)

« Reply #3 on: 06 January 2012, 02:26:44 »

Thanks for looking all of that up, Kane. I had done research into it, however some of that was new and expanded on what I had learnt ... the bit about kangaroo skin was something I didn't know about.

Anyway thanks for that and here's an aura for you for your help.


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Kane Minehunter

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Re: Tanning and Leather (Industry and Product)

« Reply #4 on: 06 January 2012, 20:16:36 »

Thanks! Do you have anything planned for getting stuff down on this? Okay if I take the liberty of turning some of my research into something more fitting?

For example, The Baneg Cattle seems to be the most acceptable for softer, more flexible leather for, say clothing like gloves or jackets, as well as weapon grips;

"Also, since the leather will shrink when wet, it is used in making grips for weapons and tools as well as the thatching on chairs."
Taken from the Baneg Cattle at:
http://www.santharia.com/bestiary/cow_baneg.htm

I'll have a scout about the Bestiary soon!

Concerning the Kangaroo, the cattle mentioned above would seem to be a match made in heaven! Both are used for strong yet flexible grips. Although the animal conditions are different, the leather usage seems to be quite similar. Hope it helped.


« Last Edit: 06 January 2012, 20:19:13 by Kane Minehunter »	Logged

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