The history of fish leather
Leather made from fish skins is by no means a new product. The Nanai ethnic group, native to Eastern Siberia and the People's Republic of China, traditionally lived exclusively from fishing and hunting years ago. For example, their clothing and tents were made of fish skins, which is why they were known to the Chinese as "fish skin Tatars". Even in Europe, during the Second World War, insoles and driving belts were made from fish leather. Thus, the processing of fish leather has always been known, but never had a big breakthrough as a processing material, because the skin areas are usually very small and the effort for large areas to be processed becomes costly.
Fish leather properties
The fibre structure of the leather in fish is laid crosswise on top of each other, which is parallel compared to other types of leather such as cowhide. Therefore, this type of leather is considered to be particularly tear-resistant when comparing equal leather thicknesses with each other. Leather rawhides from fish guarantee excellent product characteristics such as high long-lasting wearing comfort with low abrasion, they are easily tear-resistant, thin and yet robust. Fish skins can be processed as individual skins or sewn together for large areas.
The pigmented and characteristic image of the fish's skin remains after tanning, making each leather hide individual, unlike any other, and thus inimitable. Fish leather is odourless and no longer has scales after processing. However, the characteristic structure of each fish species is preserved, making the fish products unique.
Fish Leather Today - Leather Fly Accessory
The demand for fish leather products is growing every year. Today, however, fish are not killed solely for the leather, but the skin is a by-product of the food industry. Using innovative tanning methods, the fish skins are tanned and then dyed. This is how leather skins of different colours are created, each skin being a unique piece. Today, leather fly accessories such as watch straps, belts and bags, but also entire garments or shoes are created from fish leather.
Production of fish leather, a contribution to species conservation?
Fish leather has an exotic "look and feel", so it can certainly replace the skin of endangered reptiles. The fish skins are a by-product of the food and fishing industry and they are considered a waste product there. The animals come from aquacultures with species-appropriate husbandry from e.g. salmon farms and they can therefore contribute to the conservation of reptiles such as exotic leather species like snake, ostrich and alligator. Despite the high consumption of fish in our society, the Fish leather a niche product. There are still not many products and articles made from this material.
Salmon leather
Depending on the size of the Salmon the salmon skin is usually about 60cm long and between 10-20cm wide. Nowadays, salmon skins mostly come from breeding farms or aquacultures. The properties of salmon leather speak for themselves: light, flexible, thin and yet it has a higher strength than cow or calf leather. It can therefore be processed very well and is produced in many colours. The main area of application is in the fashion industry for luxury and lifestyle products. Salmon leather is used in lifestyle products such as accessory leather bow ties, belts, watch straps, handbags and small garments or shoes.
Seawolf leather
Depending on the size of the Sea Wolf's the sea wolf skin is usually about 50cm long and between 15-20cm wide. The sea wolf is a species caught in the fishing regions around Iceland for the food industry. Seawolf skin is light, flexible, thin and the only fish skin without scales. The characteristic structure of the sea wolf leather has a black dotted pigmentation on the hide, which makes this leather very unique and interesting. It can be processed very well and is produced in many colours, whereby the black dotted pattern always remains. The main application is in the fashion industry for luxury and lifestyle products. Seawolf leather is used in lifestyle products such as leather bow ties, belts, watch straps, wallets and handbags.
Bar leather
Depending on the size of the Perch the perch skin can grow to an average width of 15-40cm, under ideal conditions this fish can even reach over 50cm in width. The perch skin is medium thick and is therefore not as easy to work with as the salmon or catfish skin. The scale structure of the perch is larger and has a rough texture. The pigmentation and characteristic wild texture of the perch leather hide, is due to the large scales. The leather is produced in many colours and can be intensified with a metallic finish. The main application is in the fashion industry for luxury and lifestyle products. The perch leather is used in lifestyle products such as leather bow ties, belts and watch straps.
