New leather verses old leather in tanning process

[Hunter]

I know this may seem like a strange question, but I was wondering if the leather we use today is made in the same manner as the leather from the 19th century? I have examined well preserved examples of leather goods made in the late 1800's and early 1900's and they seem to be of much higher quality than the reproduction products I have encountered at living history shows and sutlers. The new production products seem almost cardboard like in their texture and feel, unlike the vintage leather which not only seemed to be constructed with great care and precision, but also the leather itself seemed of higher quality. Has anyone else noticed this, or am I missing something?  Perhaps not all reproduction leather goods are created equal ??
 


Respectfully,


Wesley J. Bodine
Member #439
NRA Life Member # 001834062

[Dalton Masterson]

A lot of the new stuff you probably see is made as cheaply as possible for the highest profit margin. If you get a good leather maker, and examine the goods he/she makes, you will see that it is still a good quality, non cardboard leather.
I think the process is still pretty much the same, but some chemicals may have changed over the years for environmental reasons.
DM