This does a good job at explaining the tactile differences, but the explanation of the internals is missing a little bit. The missing word in your explanation is "Collagen". A simplified explanation is that it is a protein 'glue' that holds the fibers/cells together. In veg-tan (VT)leather, the basic collagen is preserved which results in hardenability and shapability of VT leathers. In chrome-tanned (CT) leather, the collagen is effectively replaced [as you described "..it eats it's way in"]. The collagen is what allows VT leather to take a burnish, through heat and pressure (and allows VT leather to take and hold tooling impressions). The leather should be moistened to 'activate' the collagen, then slicked down. Once softened, or activated, the fibers of the leather can be repositioned, formed, and set into place. That's what the slicking does. Burnishing the edge is really nothing more than heat setting, through friction, the slicked edge once all the fibers are laid down. Once the leather dries out, the collagen is then 'set' in that position. The application of any edge dressing, such as wax, does more to seal the edge against additional moisture intrusion than actual burnishing. However, it IS easy to get a high gloss finish on wax, so many of us use a wax blend to finish our edges. There is more information available at Leatherworker.net, or if you REALLY want to get into the fine details of what's going on inside the leather ....Leatherchemists.org. I hope that this is taken as intended, which is only to be informative and explanatory. Thanks for taking the time to make the video.

This explanation of the differences , quickly turns me away from chrome finished. It sounds rather like a no brainer on choosing veg tan. Thanks for this explanation.

I'm an enthusiastic bag maker and didn't know the real difference, you have a leather lovers way of putting it across, thanks

Thank you for the very detailed and informative video on chrome tanned and vegtan leather!

What are the vegetable tanned pieces in the video? I can see the chrome tanned include Saddleback, but I can't tell what the veg examples are. They're beautiful.

I've seen sun tanned people whose skin looks like leather. Not sure if they squeak or not.

appreciate explaining the differences and benefits of this video

I work in a tannery. We do Lamb, Sheep, Goat and Cows. Mostly we use chrome and veg only for cows. BUT from my personal experience Chrome cows can look as nice as veg. It's not entirely true that you cannot get nice feel with chrome. And also veg tanning is more expensive and cannot withstand the temperatures that chrome tanning can. As well as resistance of the leather to certain things is better with chrome. Although all together I prefer free white xD No metals at all

Most informative video on leather thank you

you dont cover leather furniture in chrometan because it is cheaper. You cover it in chrometan because it is water proof, resistant to discoloration, softer, lighter, easier to handle and because it is cheaper.

Thank you for explaining what Saddleback never would.

brilliant video! explains why i have been having trouble burnishing my offcuts from ebay as they must be chrome tanned not veg tanned! will have to look into getting some veg tanned leather to play with.

The leather you use depends on what you are making. He prefers veg tanned leather. There are chrome tanned leathers that are amazing. Horween Leathers use both veg and chrome tanned processes to make some of the best leather you can buy. Although he is somewhat technically accurate about the process for making leather, not all chrome tanned leathers are the same. Many tanneries use different combinations of processes for tanning leather. I go back to Horween because they use a process where they veg tan and chrome tan the same piece of leather. And at $100 per square foot, I wish Shell Cordovan leather was cheaper than regular veg tanned leather. I always encourage people to do their homework when it comes to buying leather.

omg this video was so helpful, thanks

Thanks Jim, you're giving me an education!

KZfaq is on autoplay or i wouldn't have bothered with this video, but I did listen to it and man you are big-time biased toward veg tan. I love veg tan too and I especially like that it's not anywhere near as polluting a chrome tanneries are which are just toxic waste dumps in non Western countries. But the fact is neither leather is better than the other. It would be like saying a handsaw is more useful than a hammer, or a frying pan is better than an outdoor grill. You can't compare the two because they are used for different things. As you pointed out, saddles are made with veg tan. Chrome tan is not an option. Driving gloves are made with chrome tan because it's soft and supple whereas veg tan is stiff. You made it sound like the only reason Chrome is used instead of veg tan is cost. That is absolutely not true. In fact some of the most expensive leather made is Chrome Tan, Horween being one such chrome tannery. Chrome comes in every freakin' color and finish you can imagine. Other than dying yourself, veg tan is available in limited earth tone colors with pretty much just the one standard finish (there are embossed veg tans). Quality is independent of the type of leather it is. You can produce crappy leather with veg tanning and chromium tanning. The leathers I've had over the years that make my mouth water just thinking of how gorgeous they were are both Veg Tan and Chrome. You can get an edge on crappy veg tan, so that's doesn't indicate anything and with the paint technology nowadays you can get just as good or better edge on chrome. To me , and really anyone I know who is a leatherworker, I would say that it depends on the application as to which leather is preferred. Heck, right now I'm making a padfolio briefcase that is principally veg tan but I'm also incorporating chrome for color accents. However, if I were stranded on a deserted island and two shipping containers filled with good washed ashore and one of them had everything you need for a nice comfy life and the other one contained every imaginable leatheworking tool and supplies and A zillion hides, BUT they were all just one type of hide, I would prefer it to be Veg Tan only because there's more creative artistic things I can do with it over chrome tan, namely molding, carving, stamping.

Lots of great info here!

Good remarkable information, Thanks

That saddle squeak sound! Eargasm.

Just out of curiosity, did you purposely pick the worst looking chrome tanned leathers you could find? I work exclusively with full grain chemically tanned leather (non-Chromium) and the finishes are amazing. I have chosen to use the chemically tanned leather because of the available colors and the fact that it is much softer and more supple then vegetable tanned leather.

Thank you. Please show which leather is efficient for which product make also about thickness.

Good explanation. I am new to leatherworking but I really like softer leathers and found those moreso in 'crazy horse pull up oil tan' type of leathers online. Are there equally soft veg tan leathers?(For bags and such)

Would be nice to see comparison in same color but other than that, this was interesting. I had no clue.

chrome leathers can get a burnished feeling edge on them. Giardini edge paint is incredible stuff. it can be painted, melted and sanded to a very smooth finish on veg tanned and chrome tanned leather. if you research it and give it a try I am sure that you will be impressed.

Good info to know.tks

So, all U said here is you can t burnish chrome tanned leather edges? There is a way. A crome leather is more secure in a pocket, bag stiffeners can also be used etc... I am a pro-customer so I give unbiased options for them. Not that you are wrong. But there is much more than the edge.

Which one of cream, lotion, Mink oil, Dubbin that you suggest for Vegetable tanned leather bag.? Thankyou

Howdy Jim! Which leather manufacturer or brand is the maker of the veg tan leather you are sporting in this video? Thanks, jedidiah

Try not to repeat your self. Good information I learned something.

Thanks for the extremely informative video. How would you compare the quality of vegetable tanned leather from various parts of the world? Many people think that Italian vegetable tanned leather is generally better. Do you agree?

This is so informative! Thank you so much for this. Can I ask two questions? 1. is what is called oiltanned the same as chrometanned? I have a few oiltanned leather notebook covers that resist burnishing too. 2. what would be dip-dyes leather? The covers I have in that leather are beautifully burnished but the leather marcs and scuffs very very easily.

What kind of leather are Michael Kors and Coach handbags made of? If I want to make handbags and evening bags out of leather , what can I use: chrome, veg. tan, Chromexcel? How about high end products?

Can't you use Edge Painting to get the same finnish?

Thank you, nice video. What is that cool double loop in the background? Is is a sculpture, a chair? Is it wood?

thank you

What about shoes? are they typically chrome tanned or veg tanned?

Gotta love how the prime example of cheap chrome tanned leather are a bunch of wallets by saddleback leather. One of the most expensive producers of leather goods I've found 🤣 though I’ll agree. I bought a wallet for a lot more than I should have paid about 6 years ago because of the whole "they'll fight over it when you're dead" slogan they have. Today I find myself looking for a new one and have been for a few years because it went to shit so quickly. Was a nice wallet for about 3 years or so. After that it kind of just went limp.

The natural vegetable tanned wallet you had in your hand when you were mentioning leather squeak. Who makes that? The exterior design looks amazing.

Wow very informative! I was going to purchase 1000 dollars worth of Saddleback products but now that I've learned how different chrome team is from vegetable tan. I'm looking for another company that makes notebook holders and specifically something similar to SBL thin front pocket briefcase. I was wondering if you can recommend me a company that does a bag in that sort of style but is vegetable tanned.

Setting aside the cost differences, if one wanted a bag to eventually become "floppy" like an old postal carrier bag, they should go with chrome tanned?

what finish do you use on your undyed veg tan?

Thanks buddy

Thanks for this informative video. One question I have is about the squeekyness of veg tanned leather. My Saddleback Leather shoulder pads squeek *a lot*. Does that mean they're veg tanned? Or that some chrome tanned leather also squeeks?

Chromexcel is chrome tanned by Horween and I have no problem burnishing it.

Silly question- my baby loves to chew on my leather wallet, and I'm afraid about him getting toxins from the leather. I want to get him a replacement. Would you say that an unfinished vegetable tanned leather is the least toxic?

Nice...

ever notice a police officer squeaks when he walks or moves?

In fact, chrome tanned leather still can have very pretty finishing smooth edge by using sharp cutting tools. But the products from Saddleback which is using machines to press the leather out instead of sharp cutting. you can see their manufacturing video. simple experiment of using sharp cutter blade to cut chrome leather can show the result.

hello,nice info... 1.that mean crazy horse/oil tann leather is chrome tann? 2.it is normal for veg tann leather if it a bit stiff even for 2mm thick

What company makes the product on the right? (vegtable tanned)

Hi James, great video. Can you comment on semi-chrome tanned leather?

what about chromexcel from horween? Is it veg tanned or chrome tanned?

Wow is good

I just think it depends on the leather quality and how it was treated. I got some leather wallets, from both types of high quality finished leather and it is not the difference you told in your video.

Hello! I really love your video. Can i ask you how to keep veg tanned leather from cracked? Thank you

Where can we get some of that beautiful brown veggy tanned leather?

The big issue is that word you keep using - chemicals. Chrome tanned leather is 'toxic' in many situations. For example can't use it for sheaths or holsters and not negatively impact your gun or knife.

What are some of your favorite places to buy vegetable tanned leather?

Cant anyone tell me whether chrome tan leather is ok to make a leather canteen.(prolonged contact).food safe!???

What company is the one on the right?

Are those saddleback wallets

chromexcel can be burnished?

Great video! But I must admit that you moving your handing up and down and all around during the video is incredibly distracting. Just my humble opinion :)

You sound like Gabe from the office !!

You better hope erin brokovitch dont see this video she hates chromium

No wonder saddleback don't finish the edge's on their wallets 🤔

Not a fan of the vegetable tan look..

you have some knowledge but bad delivery

great information, but your hand is really annoying.