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The vegetable tanned leather used in Axess Front Wallets models is hand tanned in Tuscany, Italy following strict standards and use traditional tanning methods in their production of some of the world’s finest vegetable tanned leather.
In the Tuscan Leather District vegetable-tanned leather is still produced following the traditional methods; turning raw hides into durable leather takes time and patience, and the skillful combination of technology and experience.
Tannage using vegetable extracts gives the leather a rich and natural characteristic. The final finishing is then exclusively made with neutral waxes and oils to further highlight the full grain of the leather. Vegetable tanning is more time consuming than other types of leather tanning (such as chrome based tanning), but the result is a much richer patina developed with no use of harmful chemicals.
The leather is made by hand with the passion of a few master tanners located in Tuscany using techniques and traditions hailing from the Renaissance, which means that there are no harmful chemicals used in the tanning process.
Saffiano leather, which is a type of textured genuine leather common in modern day luxury accessories originally developed by Prada in 1913. The Saffiano gives the wallet a cross hatch finish which not only looks exclusive but also makes the wallet scratch resistant and durable. In addition, the treated wax finish also gives this Saffiano wallet water resistant properties.
Each wallet is passionately made by hand, using methods of hand cutting with special cutting tools – all credit card slots and edges are also cut by hand to ensure perfection. The lining consists of carefully selected eco-friendly cotton fabrics, and each wallet is separately stitched with durable Polyester/Cotton Core spun Thread, using precision machines to ensure a tight and strong stitching. Each piece is also individually embossed and inspected in person by the manufacturer to ensure that each wallet is delivered in a pristine state.
Most of the leather goods you’ll encounter on the market is so called Chrome tanned leather. Instead of Chrome tanning, Axess Front Wallets uses Vegetable tanned leather which is produced using natural tannins. So what difference does it make? Let’s dive in and see!
Quick Production - Bad end result
Over 90% of the world’s leather is so called Chrome tanned leather, which is leather produced using a solution of chemicals, acids and salts to dye the hide. It’s cheap, quick and mass produced, typically requiring little skill from the tanners.
Chrome Tanned Leather hides are actually Blue when it comes out of the Tannery! This is called ‘wet blue’. The finishing color is applied later.
Vegetable tanned leather on the other hand takes up to two months to develop in a process that is mainly done by hand. It requires skill, patience and care and the tanning process uses no harmful chemicals, unlike its chrome tanned counterpart. Vegetable tanning creates a stiff, natural leather product that, on the downside, has to be broken in and cared for, but on the plus side, actually becomes more beautiful with use and age.
Vegetable tanning is the most traditional way of tanning leather hides and is a stark contrast to the Chrome based tanning. Using the method of vegetable tanning, making a single piece of dyed leather can take up to 40 days, but the result is much richer and more durable leather.
