All leathers, except rawhide, go through a tanning process. The main tanning processes available are chrome tanned, vegetable tanned and alum tanned. Chrome tanned leather is tanned using soluble chromium salts, primarily chromium sulfate. Vegetable tanned leather is tanned using vegetable materials derived from tree bark and various other plants. Alum tanned leather is tanned with a colorless aluminum salt and is primarily used as lace leather. There are also slight variations of the main tannages described above like chrome oil tanned, veg chrome retanned and chrome veg retanned. Chrome oil tanned leather is simply chrome tanned (as described above) but is also treated with an oil that helps preserve the leather. Veg chrome retanned leather is vegetable tanned (as described above) and retanned in chromium salts. Chrome veg retanned leather is chrome tanned (as described above) and then vegetable tanned.

Apron Split -
Soft, durable leather that has been split to expose the underneath layer. Without a natural grain, it is then sueded and dyed a pearl gray. Chrome tanned.
Ideal For: Farrier Aprons

Bellies -
Feature softer, looser fibers than the top part of the hide. Ideal for linings as well as crafting smaller items. Vegetable tanned.
Ideal for: Linings, dog collars and knife sheaths

Bridle -
Firm rich-colored leather with enough oils to withstand weather. Beautiful, great feeling leather, can be oiled for darker hues. Vegetable tanned.
Ideal for:Tack items and fine pet products

Premium English Bridle -
Authentic "English" bridle leather. Made from heavy native steer hides and drum dyed for deep, consistent colors with waxes and tallows. Hot stuffed with just the right amount of "spew" on the grain and flesh to have that English feel. Vegetable tanned.
Ideal for: English tack, belts and pet products

Chrome Oil Tanned -
Beautiful, durable leather has just the right amount of oil for a soft, supple feel. Chrome tanned.
Ideal for: Work chaps, saddle bags and linings

Deer -
Very supple, beautiful quality leather. Perfect for use on any project where softness is needed. Chrome tanned .
Ideal for: Gloves, pouches and garments

Garment -
Beautiful leather is soft and supple and available in many colors. Chrome tanned.
Ideal for: Garments, chaps and upholstery

Harness -
Stuffed with heavy tallows for exceptional weight, thickness, ease of cutting and durability. Vegetable tanned.
Ideal for: Work or show harnesses and saddlery

Lace -
Firm non-stretching leather to be used where strength is essential, Alum tanned.
Ideal for:. Laces, linings, saddles and accessories

Latigo -
Soft, supple leather great for use on products where strength and flexibility are needed. All are chrome veg tanned, but some are vegetable tanned.
Ideal for:. Tack, saddlery and pet products

Natural Strap, Tooling and Mouldlng -
Leather for tooling, embossing, moulding, dying and oiling. Dyes and oils are uniformly absorbed by the leather's open grain structure. A different oil content eases moulding around sharp corners. Dries to a firm, long-lasting shape. Vegetable tanned.

Ideal for: Lightweight saddlery goods, personal goods including wallets, purses and holsters

Nubuck -
Buffed on the top grain with oil to produce "nap" for a matte, sueded look. Chrome tanned.
Ideal for: Saddle seats and pouches

Patent -
Heavily finished leather with a highly lustrous baked enamel appearance. Available in both chrome and vegetable tanned.
Ideal for: Show harnesses, bridle blinds and housings

Rawhide-
Strong, firm untanned cattle hide.
Ideal for:. Saddle horns and covered stirrups

Saddle Skirting-
Moulds and forms to seat, readily accepts tooling or embossing and oils and dyes evenly for a beautiful, uniform appearance. Vegetable tanned.
Ideal for: Saddles, tooled and embossed products

Shearlings -
Beautiful quality rich golden sheepskin. Measures 3/4"-1" thick. All are vegetable tanned or chrome tanned and comes in three colors.
Ideal for: Saddles and padding

Shoulders -
This cut effectively utilizes the head and neck area for minimal waste and optimum use. Great cut for belt manufacturers. Vegetable tanned.
Ideal for: Belts and craft items

Sole Bends -
Taken from the best portion of the hide, this extra thick leather features a firm (hard) tannage designed especialiy for shoe soles. Vegetable tanned.
Ideal for: Shoe soles and weight lifting belts

Suede -
Finished by buffing the flesh side (opposite the grain side) to produce a "nap". Chrome tanned.
Ideal for: Show or work chaps, linings and garments

Upholstery -
Soft, supple leather is very strong and durable. Tanned in whole hides for little waste and for use in automotive and restoration upholstery where large pieces of leather are desirable. Great for all upholstery needs.
Ideal for: Upholstery

Veg Chrome Retanned -
Firm, yet pliable piece of leather with a nice satin finish. Formerly also known as suspender leather. Veg chrome retanned.
Ideal for: Suspenders, pouches and name tags