What is Oak Bark Leather?

Have you seen the term Oak Bark Leather on our website and had no idea what it means? Don’t worry, you’re not alone, and by the end of this blog you’ll know a lot more about it! This type of leather is used for the Chester English Oak Bark.

What is Oak Bark Leather?

So – what is Oak Bark Leather? It’s a traditional English way of turning hides into leather. The method is completely natural and uses oak bark and stream water to tan the hide to make it into leather.

The process itself, knows as oak bark tannage, takes a long time – 14 months in all- but it’s also a very gentle process. Due to these methods, the process actually protects the natural fibres, unlike modern tanning methods.

Oak Bark Leather uses the best hides and an all natural tanning method to create the finished product – which we think is beautiful. In addition, it’s incredibly hardwearing. The tanning method makes the leather light in weight but seriously durable. The long process ensures the fibres in the hides remain in their natural weave. With the correct care, Oak Bark Leather pieces can last a lifetime.

Oak Bark Leather is unique

Another special thing about this type of leather is that each piece is unique. The process of tanning allows the natural grain to remain – it’s not changed through destroying the surface of the leather to apply a uniform finish. Allowing the grain to be present in this way means that each piece of leather and, therefore, each belt, will have it’s own individual finish. You’ll also find that the colour becomes richer over time, so it ages with you and adds to part of your story too. We love that!

Due to the process, Oak Bark Leather is more expensive than some other leathers – but the time it takes to make and the benefits it provides, as well as the lifespan it has when cared for properly, makes it worth every penny (and then some!) in our book!

Find more about our Chester made with Oak Bark Leather