Quality
Hutchings & Harding Ltd produces genuine chamois leather, which by its very definition is leather prepared from sheepskin or lambskin from which the grain has been removed, and which is then tanned using marine fish oil. However, many articles sold as 'genuine chamois leather' do not legally meet the requirements of this definition.
Only sheepskin is used in the production of genuine chamois leather, because of its naturally open fibre structure. The loose weave of the fibres allows the leather to retain water whilst still being easy to wring out.
To form the properties of genuine chamois leather, a unique tannage is used. Cod fish or similar marine oil is pounded into the skin and then oxidised. This fixes the oil in the leather, making it soft and durable. The oil forms soaps on the fibres to produce a highly absorbent leather that will shine as it dries.
Imitation is the greatest form of flattery, and chamois leather imitations take many different forms. Synthetics such as cellulose/polyurethane and viscose/polyamides are sold dry or wet in plastic tubes. Other types of leather from diverse species and variable tannages are treated and dyed to look like chamois. These products may have a similar appearance but they should not be mistaken for genuine chamois leather.
It is a popular misconception that labour cost is the overriding factor in pricing a product. For genuine chamois leather, the main cost is the raw materials, the sheepskin and the cod oil. A modern, efficient tannery can compete when traditional values ensure that the quality of the leather is maintained.
How can I tell a fake?
Most countries have laws which specify how a product can be labelled, so if it is described as 'genuine chamois leather' then that is what it should be. Counterfeits can be identified by DNA and scientific analysis. The leather can be analysed to determine the effective extent of the oil tannage. Laboratory testing can easily identify tannages that are not permissible. It should look and feel like a genuine chamois. It should have a fish oil smell and it will fade in sunlight. It should perform like a genuine chamois after repeated use.
Remember: if it doesn’t say chamois leather on the pack it's not the real thing!
Environment
Hutchings & Harding Ltd adheres to the framework agreement of the social and environmental reporting standard in the European leather and tanning industry under the partnership of COTANCE and ETUF:TCL. We do not use toxic chemicals in any of our tanning treatments. Our chamois leather is sheepskin, tanned using pure marine fish oils, which helps produce the streak-free shine.
The tanning industry evolved as a means of utilising meat and livestock waste products. At Hutchings & Harding we continue to invest in recycling and insist on environmentally safe equipment and processing. Our chamois leather is fully biodegradable, compostable and is truly nature's miracle as a drying and polishing cloth. Our packaging is recyclable and uses reclaimed materials, where appropriate. We are members of the renowned European Grüne Punkt programme for recycling packaging materials. We are also proud to support The Wildlife Trusts, which includes our sponsorship of local woodlands.
Quality assured
All our chamois leather exceeds the highest international standards. We regularly benchmark ourselves against British Standard 6715 using an independent analytical laboratory. We have been assessed as a quality assured supplier by many major retailers and the highly regarded Swiss STR Testing & Inspection AG.
We are fully REACH compliant. Health and safety at work are integral to our production and we are regularly positively assessed for environmental impact by local government authority.
Learn more about our chamois leather from the videos on our homepage.