What is Brain Tanned Leather?
Brain tanned Leather Hide
Brained tanned leather is a very indigenous American Indian tradition using emulsified oils often those of animal brains of buffalo, deer and cattle. It’s a very labour-intensive process giving a result that’s very soft and extremely washable.
Brain tanning is carried out today, mainly on a small scale compared to traditional chrome tanning processes. It’s mainly used by hunters to cure hides when a kill is made, they use selected animals as simpler process is required to achieve the desired tanning process.
Hunters will only use selected animals that have enough oils and tannins in the brains for the tanning process, mainly cattle, deer, buffalo, raccoons and beavers.
Traditional native American moccasins are brain tanned to give them that ultra-soft feel and touch, normally these are left natural in colour, some of the moccasins are also coloured normally with bright colours.
Brain Tanned leather that is not smoked and is usually lighter in colour like white. It’s super soft and supple and very strong even when it gets wet it’s still strong and very comfortable for footwear and clothing as used by native American Indians.
Brain tanned Ancient Leather Shoes