Processing the snakeskin leather

We will attempt to describe the production process of snakeskin leather in general terms. This will encompass all skins from snakes used to produce leather, ranging from pythons, cobras and sea snakes. We do not claim that in following the information outlined you will get good results. In fact the opposite may be true. Other factors to consider are the subtle differences between snakeskins and the particular instructions of the tanning chemical manufaturers. In mass production, some of the steps outlined may have been modified or removed; others may have been added. In mass production some, if not all of the steps, are automated.

Ok, now the fun part. In this article, there are 8 steps to process snakeskin leather. They are:

1. Skinning
2. Fleshing
3. Relaxing
4. Pickling
5. Tanning
6. Descaling
7. Oiling and
8. Finishing

Skinning

The first step in making snakeskin leather is to skin the snake. This is done by by making a belly incision over the whole length of the snake, and then stripping the skin from the flesh.

Fleshing

In snakeskin leather production, it has been the experience of some tanners that snakeskins normally flesh easily compared to other skins. The meat is always scraped away by working from the tail towards the head so that the skin will not tear. This is important especially in dealing with small snakes.

Relaxing

Producing snakeskin leather requires relaxing when the skin has dried. For skins just newly fleshed, this process can be skipped. The process of relaxing requires the skin be soaked in a salt solution. They are soaked in the salt solution until the snakeskin becomes soft and flexible. After that, they are rinsed and placed in a pickling solution.

Pickling

In making snakeskin leather, a pickling solution is prepared; mixing vinegar, water and salt. Care is observed so that the pickling is even; that the snakeskin is not crowded into the solution container and that there is enough solution. At this point Ph levels are monitored. The process may take 2 to 3 days and the solution is stirred at the minimum of once a day. There are temperature considerations, some situations (chemical composition of the solutions, chemical manufacturer instructions, etc.) require that the solution is not exposed to temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. After that period, the snakeskin is ready to be tanned for making snakeskin leather.

Tanning snakeskin

The snakeskin is rinsed, the excess water is removed by squeezing it and then the skins are weighed. In making snakeskin leather, the weight is important for soaking into the tanning solution. There is a ratio of the quantity of the solution to the weight of the snakeskin that has to be observed. The Ph levels are also maintained.

The snakeskins are placed in a tanning solution. Depending on the tanning agents used and the accompanying instructions, a certain Ph level should be maintained. The snakeskins are left in the tanning solution for about 12-20 hours (this may vary from one manufacturer to the other). When the tanning period is reached, the snakeskins is removed from the solution, rinsed and drained. The snakeskin is now ready to be descaled and oiled.

Descaling

For the snakeskin leather to be useful in making wallets and other similar products, the scales should be removed. After the snakeskin is removed from the tanning solution, it is rinsed in cold water. Then the skins are crumpled by hand so that the scales fall away. Some tanners use brass bristled brushes to loosen the more persistent scales. In mass production, this process may be automated. This is done until all the scales are removed.

Oiling

Hot water and an oiling component are mixed together to create an oiling solution. The oiling solution is rubbed onto the flesh side of the snakeskin.

Finishing

Part of the process of snakeskin leather is finishing. The snakeskin is tacked out flat on a board and the oiling solution is allowed to soak into the flesh and then dried. When the snakeskin is almost dry, the skin is worked on gently to soften it (some may use bare hands). After it is softened and dried, the snakeskin is lightly sanded on the flesh side to have a smooth suede finish. Now the snakeskin can be cut and sewn and made into those elegant snakeskin leather wallets and purses.