What is leather made from?
Short answer: Tanned animal skins and hides
Leather comes from treating animal skins and hides so they do not decay.
Groan of the day: This badge is a real hide and seek champion.
Sources: Leather
Study guides · Stuff Every Leatherwork Scout Should Know
Stuff Every Leatherwork Scout Should Know: the Study Guide
Practice facts for the Leatherwork merit badge. Not an official Scouting America credential. Grab a snack: this guide is the friendly version, with the answers explained and a groan-worthy joke waiting at the end of most cards.
Knowing Leatherwork Scout saves you money, time and the occasional embarrassment.
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Chapter 1: Emergencies and First Aid
Which animal provides most of the world's leather?
Short answer: Cattle
Cattle hides make up about 65 percent of all leather produced.
Groan of the day: Cowhide is udderly dependable.
Sources: Leather
What does tanning do to a raw hide?
Short answer: Makes it stable and flexible
Tanning stabilizes proteins so the hide dries flexible instead of hard and rotting.
Groan of the day: Tanning a hide is no day at the beach.
Sources: Leather
Which tanning method is the oldest known?
Short answer: Vegetable tanning
Vegetable tanning uses tannins from plant matter and is the oldest known method.
Groan of the day: That method has deep roots.
Sources: Leather
Which tanning method is most common in modern use?
Short answer: Chrome tanning
Chrome tanning uses chromium salts and is the most common modern method.
Groan of the day: Chrome tanning is a shining example.
Sources: Leather
Why is chrome-tanned leather called wet blue?
Short answer: Undyed leather has a pale blue color
The undyed chrome-tanned leather looks pale blue, giving it the nickname.
Groan of the day: That nickname came out of the blue.
Sources: Leather
What is full-grain leather?
Short answer: Leather with the entire grain layer intact
Full-grain leather keeps the whole grain layer and is often considered highest quality.
Groan of the day: Full-grain leather is a cut above.
Sources: Leather
What is nubuck leather?
Short answer: Top-grain leather sanded to a velvety nap
Nubuck is top-grain leather buffed on the grain side for a soft, velvet-like surface.
Groan of the day: Nubuck feels nice, and that is no small feat.
Sources: Leather
What is suede made from?
Short answer: The underside of a split hide
Suede comes from the underside of a split, giving it a soft napped finish.
Groan of the day: Suede is soft, so do not be too hard on it.
Sources: Leather
What is bonded leather made from?
Short answer: Shredded leather scraps bonded together
Bonded leather uses shredded scraps glued onto a fiber mesh with a binder.
Groan of the day: Bonded leather really holds together.
Sources: Leather
What is vegetable-tanned leather known for in water?
Short answer: It discolors and can shrink and harden
Vegetable-tanned leather is not stable in water and can discolor and shrink.
Groan of the day: Keep it dry or it may have a shrinking feeling.
Sources: Leather
Why is vegetable-tanned leather popular for tooling?
Short answer: It can be carved and stamped when damp
Vegetable-tanned leather is the usual choice for carving and stamping.
Groan of the day: Tooling leather is easy to impress.
Sources: Leather crafting
What does casing leather mean?
Short answer: Dampening it with water so fibers soften
Casing means wetting the leather so it can be compressed by stamps.
Groan of the day: Casing is a watered-down idea, in a good way.
Sources: Leather crafting
What does a swivel knife do in leather carving?
Short answer: Outlines patterns by cutting lines
A swivel knife is drawn along the leather to outline patterns.
Groan of the day: The swivel knife really turns heads.
Sources: Leather crafting
How are most leather stamps pressed into the leather?
Short answer: Struck with a mallet
Leather stamps are shaped tools struck with a mallet to make imprints.
Groan of the day: Stamping is a striking hobby.
Sources: Leather crafting
What is leather dyeing?
Short answer: Pigments absorbed into the leather's pores
Dyeing puts pigments into the pores, unlike paint which stays on the surface.
Groan of the day: Dyeing really gets into its work.
Sources: Leather crafting
How does leather painting differ from dyeing?
Short answer: Paint stays on the surface, dye soaks in
Paint remains on the surface while dyes are absorbed into the leather.
Groan of the day: Painting is a surface-level friendship.
Sources: Leather crafting
Why is paint often avoided on items that bend a lot?
Short answer: The paint may crack or wear off
Paint on flexible items like belts can crack or rub off with use.
Groan of the day: That paint cannot bend the rules.
Sources: Leather crafting
What does leather molding involve?
Short answer: Soaking leather in water then shaping it
Molding soaks leather to make it pliable, then shapes it as it dries stiff.
Groan of the day: Molding is a shaping experience.
Sources: Leather crafting
What is pyrography on leather?
Short answer: Drawing with a hot needle to darken it
Pyrography uses a hot needle to draw, darkening the leather with heat.
Groan of the day: Pyrography is a hot trend.
Sources: Leather crafting
What does a laser cutter do to leather at low power?
Short answer: Etches detailed designs into it
At low power a laser can etch detailed designs into leather.
Groan of the day: Laser etching is a bright idea.
Sources: Leather crafting
What is embossing leather?
Short answer: Raising portions of dampened leather
Embossing elevates parts of damp leather using a tool or die.
Groan of the day: Embossing lifts the design to new heights.
Sources: Leather crafting
Why are oils and fats applied after stamping?
Short answer: To help impressions last and resist water
Conditioning with oils helps waterproof leather and keeps stamped designs from fading.
Groan of the day: Oil keeps the design from fading away.
Sources: Leather crafting
What is a key first step in tanning preparation?
Short answer: Curing hides with salt
Hides are cured with salt to stop bacteria from rotting the collagen.
Groan of the day: Salt is worth its weight in preservation.
Sources: Tanning (leather)
What does liming a hide help remove?
Short answer: Hair and keratinous matter
Liming removes hair and other keratinous material from the hide.
Groan of the day: Liming gets right to the root of the problem.
Sources: Tanning (leather)
What is bating in leather making?
Short answer: Treating hides with enzymes to soften them
Bating uses enzymes to soften hides during processing.
Groan of the day: Bating softens things up nicely.
Sources: Tanning (leather)
What is a tannery?
Short answer: A place where skins are processed into leather
A tannery is the place where animal skins are processed.
Groan of the day: A tannery is where the hide hangs out.
Sources: Tanning (leather)
What is a major environmental concern with chrome tanning?
Short answer: Chromium waste can harm water and soil
Chrome tanning waste can pollute water and harm the environment if not treated.
Groan of the day: Clean tanning keeps things flowing well.
Sources: Tanning (leather)
How should you clean leather goods?
Short answer: Use a damp cloth, not a soaking wet one
A damp cloth cleans leather; avoid soaking it in water.
Groan of the day: A damp cloth is just right, not a splash.
Sources: Leather
What is saddle soap used for?
Short answer: Cleaning, conditioning, and softening leather
Saddle soap cleans, conditions, and softens leather goods.
Groan of the day: Saddle soap is a clean winner.
Sources: Leather
What does oiling leather improve?
Short answer: Its water resistance
Oiling leather improves water resistance and keeps it supple.
Groan of the day: Oil helps leather weather the storm.
Sources: Leather
What is shell cordovan?
Short answer: Horse leather from an under layer called the shell
Shell cordovan is horse leather from the shell layer, prized for its finish.
Groan of the day: Shell cordovan is a horse of a different color.
Sources: Leather
Why is kangaroo leather used for bullwhips?
Short answer: It is strong and flexible
Kangaroo leather is strong and flexible, making it common for bullwhips.
Groan of the day: That leather really hops to it.
Sources: Leather
What gives ostrich leather its bumpy look?
Short answer: Large feather follicles
Ostrich leather has large feather follicles that create a goose bump look.
Groan of the day: Ostrich leather is a bump above the rest.
Sources: Leather
What is stingray leather often decorated with?
Short answer: Tiny round bumps dyed white
Stingray leather has natural round bumps often dyed white for contrast.
Groan of the day: Stingray leather makes a point of standing out.
Sources: Leather
What is artificial leather often called?
Short answer: Pleather
Pleather is a blend of plastic and leather, meaning artificial leather.
Groan of the day: Pleather is a material with appeal.
Sources: Leather
What is a common first aid for minor cuts?
Short answer: Clean the cut and cover it
Minor cuts should be cleaned and covered, and a counselor should be told.
Groan of the day: A clean cut heals best.
Sources: Scouting America: Leatherwork
Why should you tell your counselor about hazards before starting?
Short answer: To plan how to prevent and lessen them
Discussing hazards helps you anticipate, prevent, and lessen them.
Groan of the day: Safety first is a sharp idea.
Sources: Scouting America: Leatherwork
What should you do if dye or cement gets on your skin?
Short answer: Wash it off and tell an adult
Chemical exposure needs washing and adult help; know first aid for reactions.
Groan of the day: Dyes can leave a lasting impression, so wash up.
Sources: Scouting America: Leatherwork
Why is good ventilation important when using dyes and cements?
Short answer: Fumes can be harmful to breathe
Dyes, cements, and finishes can give off fumes, so work with ventilation and supervision.
Groan of the day: Fresh air is a breath of good sense.
Sources: Scouting America: Leatherwork
What is a safe habit when punching holes in leather?
Short answer: Keep fingers clear of the punch
Keep fingers away from the punch path and work carefully under supervision.
Groan of the day: Keep your fingers out of the punch line.
Sources: Scouting America: Leatherwork
What should you do before using a sharp leather tool for the first time?
Short answer: Learn safe use from a qualified adult
Sharp tools require instruction and supervision to prevent cuts.
Groan of the day: Sharp tools deserve sharp attention.
Sources: Scouting America: Leatherwork
What is a good way to store leather tools safely?
Short answer: Keep sharp tools sheathed and put away
Sheathing and storing sharp tools prevents accidental cuts.
Groan of the day: A sheath keeps sharp edges on the straight and narrow.
Sources: Scouting America: Leatherwork
What does braiding leather lace require?
Short answer: Interlacing strands in a pattern
Braiding or plaiting interlocks strands of leather, vinyl lace, or paracord.
Groan of the day: Braiding is a twist of fate, in a good way.
Sources: Scouting America: Leatherwork
What is a benefit of leather compared with synthetic materials?
Short answer: It can last for decades
Leather is durable and can last for decades, though it needs care.
Groan of the day: Leather is in it for the long haul.
Sources: Leather
What is the main purpose of a pricking iron in leathercraft?
Short answer: Punching regularly arranged holes
A pricking iron punches a row of evenly spaced holes for stitching or decoration.
Groan of the day: That iron really made the point.
Sources: Leather crafting
What does a veiner tool do when carving leather?
Short answer: Adds texture and depth around cut lines
Veiners are punch-type tools that add definition and texture near swivel knife lines.
Groan of the day: The veiner really got under my skin.
Sources: Leather crafting
Why is leather backed with stiff board when painted?
Short answer: To keep the painted surface secured
A stiff backing keeps a flat painted piece supported so the painted surface stays secure.
Groan of the day: That backing really has our support.
Sources: Leather crafting
Why are leather paintings displayed without glass?
Short answer: To prevent mould from forming
Leather paintings are shown without a glass cover to prevent mould.
Groan of the day: No glass, no problem.
Sources: Leather crafting
What does a beveler tool do in leather carving?
Short answer: Adds depth around cut lines
Bevelers are among the tools that add definition, texture, and depth to carved lines.
Groan of the day: That beveler really edged out the competition.
Sources: Leather crafting
The cheat sheet
The whole guide on one screen. Screenshot it, print it, stick it on the fridge.
- Leather comes from treating animal skins and hides so they do not decay.
- Cattle hides make up about 65 percent of all leather produced.
- Tanning stabilizes proteins so the hide dries flexible instead of hard and rotting.
- Vegetable tanning uses tannins from plant matter and is the oldest known method.
- Chrome tanning uses chromium salts and is the most common modern method.
- The undyed chrome-tanned leather looks pale blue, giving it the nickname.
- Full-grain leather keeps the whole grain layer and is often considered highest quality.
- Nubuck is top-grain leather buffed on the grain side for a soft, velvet-like surface.
- Suede comes from the underside of a split, giving it a soft napped finish.
- Bonded leather uses shredded scraps glued onto a fiber mesh with a binder.
- Vegetable-tanned leather is not stable in water and can discolor and shrink.
- Vegetable-tanned leather is the usual choice for carving and stamping.
Pop quiz
Think of your answer first, then peek.
- What is leather made from?
- Tanned animal skins and hides
- Woven plant fibers
- Melted plastic pellets
Show the answer
Tanned animal skins and hides. Leather comes from treating animal skins and hides so they do not decay.
- What is vegetable-tanned leather known for in water?
- It turns into plastic
- It discolors and can shrink and harden
- It becomes completely waterproof
Show the answer
It discolors and can shrink and harden. Vegetable-tanned leather is not stable in water and can discolor and shrink.
- What does a laser cutter do to leather at low power?
- Turns it into fabric
- Makes it fully waterproof
- Etches detailed designs into it
Show the answer
Etches detailed designs into it. At low power a laser can etch detailed designs into leather.
- What does oiling leather improve?
- Its water resistance
- Its ability to melt
- Its color to turn blue
Show the answer
Its water resistance. Oiling leather improves water resistance and keeps it supple.
- What is a safe habit when punching holes in leather?
- Punch without looking
- Keep fingers clear of the punch
- Pull the punch toward your hand
Show the answer
Keep fingers clear of the punch. Keep fingers away from the punch path and work carefully under supervision.
Now make it stick
Read a chapter, then play the deck and see how much stuck.
This guide covers the 50 free cards. The other 34 are in the game for members.
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