Tanning

Tanning is the process of treating animal skins to produce leather, which is more durable and less susceptible to decomposition. Traditionally, tanning used tannin, an acidic chemical compound from which the tanning process draws its name. Coloring may occur during tanning. A tannery is the term for a place where the skins are processed.

Process
Tanning leather involves a process which permanently alters the protein structure of skin. Making "rawhide" (untanned but worked hide) does not require the use of tannin. Rawhide is made by removing the flesh and fat and then the hair by use of an aqueous solution (this process is often called "liming" when using lime and water or "bucking" when using wood ash (lye) and water), then scraping over a beam with a somewhat dull knife, then drying. The two solutions for removing the hair also  clean the fiber network of the skin and allow penetration and action of the tanning agent, so that all the steps in preparation of rawhide except drying are often preludes to the more complex process of tanning and production of leather.

Tanning can be performed with either vegetable or mineral methods. Before tanning, the skins are dehaired, degreased, desalted and soaked in water over a period of 6 hours to 2 days. To prevent damage of the skin by bacterial growth during the soaking period biocides are used. Fungicides are added later in the process to protect wet leathers from mold growth.

Union Society & Leather Goods
Because leather is considered to be a "natural" item, it's both highly desireable and greatly valued. Leather is a Lux category item. Items and apparel made from certified Fish Hide Leather from the Olafson Tanneries on Nilfeheim is an Ultra Lux item.