Alum Tawed Leathers are known for their archival qualities, phenomenal strength and longevity. We produce the Alum Tawed Goat in two shades, white and cream.
You can see examples of our Alum Tawed Goat on the following finished books: '
And the Ass saw the Angel' and '
A Book of Mediterranean Food' that are featured in the '
Showcase' area of our web site.
Average Skin Size: 0.58 - 0.70m² (6¼ - 7½ft²)
Approx. Cut Size: 75 x 60 cm
Standard Substance: 0.9 mm
Colours available: White and Cream
Grades: II
Quantity discounts will be applied automatically.
If you have a requirement for grade I quality skins, please send us an e-mail with the size of piece(s) you require.
Alum Tawed LeathersOur Alum Tawed Leathers are
produced entirely in our tannery by a method combining the best of old
traditions and modern machinery.
The skins used are
"wet-salted" stock which means the skin from the animal is fresh but preserved
with salt until required. The processes that follow are carried out in a
revolving wooden drum which can have the liquors changed without removing the
skins until the processing is finished.
The first stage is to wash
out the salt, then the skins are limed to remove the hair and grease, this part
of the process also swells the fibres and has the effect of separating them.
When this process is completed, the skins are partially neutralised and
subjected to an enzyme process which removes some of the unwanted proteins
between the fibres.
The next stage is to acidify
the skin in the presence of a large quantity of salt that prevents any acid
damage. When equilibrium is reached this acid pickle is drained away and
replaced with a mixture of salt, potash Alum and oil which is drummed into the
skins for two days, after which they are removed and piled to drain. The skins
are then hung to dry and piled to age for at least three weeks.
The finishing processes
start by damping the skins again and straining them on frames to dry so that the
product is now flat, the thickness is levelled off by fluffing the flesh side on
an emery wheel and finally the skins are back boarded to soften them.
The natural white colour can
be tinted if required to simulate the creaminess produced by age and the effect
of handling.
Hewit's Alum Calf, Goats and Pigs
are sold throughout the world and were used in the rebinding of the Domesday
Book.
