Natural Leather – The Connoisseur’s Choice
Welcome to the Natural Leather Patina Club
Natural undyed, full grain, vegetable tanned leather. This is the connoisseur’s choice. One for the hardcore leatherheads and patina pilgrims. Those who appreciate and enjoy the process of earning their patina.
This club is not for everyone. It takes time, perseverance and dedication to join, you have to earn your patina - it cannot be rushed, there are no shortcuts. The magic takes a little time to develop. But like anything in life worth doing right, it will be worth it. You'll be rewarded with a totally unique patina. The more you use it, the better it will get. Every mark and scratch, even how the leather forms itself will be because of you and your life together.
So what is 'Natural Leather'? Natural leather refers to leather that is left undyed. It is still vegetable tanned in the same way as usual leather, however, the usual dying process is simply omitted, leaving the leather the natural colour of the animal's skin. Sometimes, as part of the finishing process the hides are oiled or greased at the tannery.
Natural leather starts life very pale in colour, the natural colour of the hide before it might usually be dyed. However with time and use, it will quickly start to change, deepening and darkening in colour, taking on marks as the patina develops. It will eventually become a deep, rich toffee tan colour.
As the leather is completely undyed, every mark or scar that was on the animal’s skin will be even more noticeable than usual. At the tannery, usually only the very finest skins are preserved for a natural undyed finish. The leather is pale and clean looking, and will take on marks very easily.
Whilst not for everyone, if like us, you appreciate and value the journey of how your natural leather piece will transform over time as the patina develops, natural undyed leather is likely the perfect choice for you.
Whilst all our products will develop a patina with time and use, it is most noticeable on an undyed natural leather, as there is no dye to disguise the patina.
The first mark is always the most painful. However with continued use, time and with every application of Hide Food or Gilboy’s Leather Conditioner Balasm, the marks will go deeper into the leather, becoming disguised by new marks. Each one telling the story of your adventures and life together, completely unique to you and your Tanner Bates piece.
Patina isn’t a term exclusive to leather. Many other natural materials will also develop a patina, such as raw denim, waxed canvas, metal wood or stone. Each patina will be completely unique, not only to the material and product, but also the individual owner of the piece as the patina will develop in line with how the product is used and cared for. Talk about next level ‘personalisation’ or creating a truly unique product. This is the beauty of full grain vegetable tanned leather and why we treasure working with such a special and unique material.
We usually have a small stock of natural undyed leather, so do get in touch and we would be delighted to discuss options for crafting a custom piece for you out of our natural leather.
What is Patina and how do I achieve an expert level of patina?
Below we delve a little deeper into the patina pilgrimage you are about to embark on now that you are a proud owner of your new Tanner Bates piece. Remember, the patina will develop on any of our pieces, however, if you have opted for a natural undyed piece, the change will be more noticeable and ‘extreme’ than if you have opted for a darker dyed piece.
As with any of our pieces, we cannot guarantee against crocking, especially if your leather gets wet or exposed to moisture.
Our vegetable or oak bark tanned leather is not water repellent in its natural form and will absorb water, ink, oil or any other liquid, which will stain the leather irredeemably. It is however, the staining, scuffs and scratches that help build the patina so loved in old leather.
Natural oak bark or vegetable tanned leather loves to be used, even abused. Above all, don’t be precious or protective with your leather – but do look after it. Our pieces are, after all, designed and made to be used and will, with care last you a lifetime of adventures!
When the leather gets wet, let it dry naturally. Then once completely dry, feed the leather with Hide Food or Gilboy’s Leather Conditioner Balsam to replenish any natural fats and oils lost. This will help to keep your leather hydrated and supple. The application of leather conditioner will likely deepen and darken the colour of the leather, at least initially, so it is important to try and achieve an even application. Even if your leather doesn’t get wet, we recommend feeding the leather occasionally with a high quality natural leather conditioner (such as Hide Food or Gilboy’s Leather Conditioner Balsam) to replace the essential oils lost over time.
The application of a quality leather conditioner will not only keep your leather supple and hydrated, but also help build the patina and increase longevity. As an additional bonus, it will help to provide some water repellent protection, although the leather will never be fully waterproof or immune to marking from exposure to moisture.
This occasional feeding with natural waxes deepen and disguise any marks, stains or scratches helping to achieve a superb patina so loved and desired. Your Tanner Bates piece will become even more desirable and cherished.
Natural undyed leather will quickly take on marks and become stained simply through absorbing natural oils and sweat from being handled. The first mark is always the most painful, however it is an important step and will form the foundation of a strong patina. Fear not! The best course of action is to continue using your Tanner Bates piece. The more you use it, the more quickly and stronger the patina you will earn.
With time, the signs of life, use and activity will leave their marks and get absorbed into the leather. The occasional conditioning of your leather is essential to embed layer upon layer of staining which will build an unrivalled patina.
Be mindful that this is a slow process, it cannot be rushed. Your journey with your new leather piece is every bit as unique as the cow’s life whose skin it came from. The patina is unique to you and your leather piece. It is the story of your time together, day after day of use and love.
Our full grain leather bears the scars of the animal. By caring for your Tanner Bates full grain vegetable or oak bark tanned piece, you are continuing the legacy and journey of that animal’s skin. Unique to the animal and as the patina builds, unique to you as the journey continues…
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