Fish Leather Tanning

The tanning process for fish leather takes about a month, because every fish is different - saltwater, freshwater, northern, southern, and every one has a different oil content. None of these fish are on the endangered species list.



The fish skins are purchased from commercial fisheries and shipped frozen in 80 to 100 pound boxes. The secret is in the combination of chemicals that are used to remove all the fish oils so that there is no odor. Through an intricate 30-day chemical and mechanical process, the skins are churned, soaked, fleshed and vacuum dried. Timing is critical in the chemical soaking stage. If soaked too long, it will lose its strength and eventually fall apart. The flesher removes any "yuck" left on the back of the skin. The special tanning process prevents the fish leather from becoming stiff, once all the oils are taken out.



For over 15 years, the manufacturer has been testing and experimenting with every color, dye and chemical to create for you the best possible finishes and textures available.



The manufacturers are extremely proud of the Fish Leather. It is the newest, most exciting leather to have emerged in the fashion world in the last 20 years! They can produce so many different textures from every species, that the world's greatest leather experts cannot believe that this can actually be fish.



The manufacturer can offer suede, silk, glazed, pearlized and high grain finishes all from the same species of fish. The suede can be water-proofed; the glazed is scratch/stain resistant and never needs polishing. The skins have either small or large scale pockets (of course, the scales have been removed).



Fish leather is the second strongest leather known to man. Three strips of certain fish, 1/2 inches wide, braided together, can pull an automobile.