What is that smell?

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JwRosenthal

·Oct 12, 2019

Just picked up a Jean Paul Menicucci strap from a fellow member (thank you @watchdaddy1 ), and the first think I noticed was the smell- like a baseball glove- sweet, aromatic leather, soft and smells like summer.
I have only had two other straps that have smelled like this, the rest either have no smell, or are more acrid tannery smelling. I even have a few I can’t wear becuase they smell so caustic when my skin heats up and they start emanating their foulness (a couple that are shell cordovan).
What is it that gives some leathers this particular smell?

Gotta have pics of course.

 

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gostang9

·Oct 12, 2019

That’s the new proof of “genuine leather” campaign.

if you’ve ever been to a farm, where leather is grown, you’d understand... 😁

 

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gostang9

·Oct 12, 2019

Truthfully, leather goes through a lot of processing to get near to a product fit for use, I assume what you’re smelling is one or more of the chemicals used to tan and colour the hides. I’m sure there are various chemicals used, with some leaving more of an odor than others...

 

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p4ul

·Oct 12, 2019

DANGER.....it’s not the strap, it’s that watch, please pm me for my delivery address and the problem will be solved.

+1 for gostang9 above.

 

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Canuck

·Oct 12, 2019

Aroma! Good. Smell? Not so good.

 

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JwRosenthal

·Oct 12, 2019

Wel, considering most of my generation’s touchstone for the smell of “genuine leather” was 70’s Chrysler’s which always smelled of farts and cigars, this is a new revelation

 

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Vercingetorix

·Oct 12, 2019·Spam Risk

 

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Walrus

·Oct 12, 2019

It may smell but it’s nice looking

 

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JwRosenthal

·Oct 12, 2019

Walrus

It may smell but it’s nice looking

Oh it smells yummy- just wondering what gives this kind of “glove leather” it’s smell compared to others. It’s gotta be a specific oil or chemical in the tanning process. I’m sure there are some leather experts here who would know.

 

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Walrus

·Oct 12, 2019

JwRosenthal

Oh it smells yummy- just wondering what gives this kind of “glove leather” it’s smell compared to others. It’s gotta be a specific oil or chemical in the tanning process. I’m sure there are some leather experts here who would know.

Yeah I tried but I failed leather in college.

 

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Canuck

·Oct 12, 2019

That the “aroma” of tanned leather is so wonderful, the process of tanning animal skins is somewhat less romantic.

 

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S.H.

·Oct 12, 2019

JwRosenthal

Wel, considering most of my generation’s touchstone for the smell of “genuine leather” was 70’s Chrysler’s which always smelled of farts and cigars, this is a new revelation

Do I read well? "Electronic Lean Bum System" 😁

 

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Donn Chambers

·Oct 12, 2019

The best leather is tanned using oils from plant materials, and the products have the great aroma you describe - “like summer.”

But the process is slow and expensive. Cheap leathers use chemicals, which is a lot faster process. And they do give off some chemical smell after.

Smells like you got a quality strap! 😉

 

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JwRosenthal

·Oct 12, 2019

Donn Chambers

The best leather is tanned using oils from plant materials, and the products have the great aroma you describe - “like summer.”

But the process is slow and expensive. Cheap leathers use chemicals, which is a lot faster process. And they do give off some chemical smell after.

Smells like you got a quality strap! 😉

I used to love the smell of my Rawlings Baseball mit- used it from middle school through my early 20’s- this smells like that.
My curiosity is what oils specifically. Obviously if this straps smells like my baseball mit from 30 years ago, they probably used the same process.

 

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Vercingetorix

·Oct 12, 2019·Spam Risk

Birch bark. Cow brains. Urine. Shit. All used to tan leather.

 

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Donn Chambers

·Oct 12, 2019

JwRosenthal

I used to love the smell of my Rawlings Baseball mit- used it from middle school through my early 20’s- this smells like that.
My curiosity is what oils specifically. Obviously if this straps smells like my baseball mit from 30 years ago, they probably used the same process.

Vegetable tanning has been used for thousands of years, so not surprising the baseball glove used it as well.

Most of the time birch bark is used, but other tree barks are also used and give that nice, earthy smell.

 

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Evitzee

·Oct 12, 2019

Personally, I love the smell of 'Fine, Corinthian leather' on my straps, especially when sold by Mexican/Spanish actors with a strong accent.

 

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time flies

·Oct 12, 2019

Maybe your glove was treated with what I know as neets foot oil (sp). Or maybe it's just a old guy remembering what he thought he heard when he was six. Anyhow... "play ball"

have fun
kfw

 

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JwRosenthal

·Oct 12, 2019

Evitzee

Personally, I love the smell of 'Fine, Corinthian leather' on my straps, especially when sold by Mexican/Spanish actors with a strong accent.

Just like a genuine faux diamond.

 

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machamp6650

·Oct 13, 2019

When I picked up my Dewitt it smelled like they'd massaged all the leathers (both strap and case) in cocoa butter or something. Smells nice but it still follows me around when wearing the watch after 4 years or so. I'd imagine this isn't the kind of smell you're talking about though...