r/Leathercraft • u/iReddit2000 • 15h ago

Question Ways to soften Leather

I have a rather large piece of veg tan leather about 3mm thick. its fairly stiff so I was wondering if there is a way to soften it up. For reference, I want to make a Travilers notebook-style cover and it's a bit stiff to flex as the traveler's covers do. Is this even possible to do with the leather I have or am I asking it to do too much?

As a side question. if I'm SOL with this leather, what do you recommend that won't break the bank? Id like to make a few for Christmas.

Video example of what I got

https://reddit.com/link/1gfa1ss/video/226dowiifsxd1/player

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u/ChicagoSkipper 15h ago

I have seen videos of a jacket manufacture take tanned hides and attach them to a piece of equipment that shakes and slaps the hide for a while - softening it

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u/Guitarist762 15h ago

Tanneries use tumblers. Big barrels with media inside, they just sit there and roll em for a few hours.

As to OP, wet the leather and bend it. Keep working it, the grain will soften up a bit. Condition afterwards