US1498929A - Process for preparing leather for razor strops and like devices - Google Patents

Description

Patented June 24, 1924.

UNETED STATES mea re T orFicE- GEORGE H. EENDLETGN, OF WIGHITA, KANSAS.

PROCESS FOR- EREPARING- LEATHER FOR RAZOR STROPS' AND LIKE DEVICES.

N 0 Drawing.

To all whom it may concern- Be it known that I, GEOPGE H. PnNnLn- TON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Wichita, in the county of Sedgwick and State of Kansas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Processes of Preparing Leather for Razor Strops and like Devices, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to processes of preparing and tanning raw hides, and particularly to means for producing leather designed for use as strops, hones, or like devices.

The general object of my invention is to so tan and prepare raw hides as to produce a leather which is particularly adapted for use in the formation of strops by reason of the fact that the leather is impregnated with an abradant.

A further object is to provide a process for treating leather for the purpose described whereby in the process of tanning the leather shall become impregnated with abrading material, such as oxide of iron, tripoli, carborundum, or equivalent abradants, and to provide a process of this character whereby the abradant will settle into the pores of the hide or leather, acting as a filler therefor and making the leather solid and durable and rendering it particularly valuable as a stropping material.

Other objects will appear in the course of the following description.

In the carrying out of my process, I take a fresh hide and initially prepare it by removing all the loose flesh and grease. The hide is then placed in a strong solution of lime water which causes the hair to slip off easily within from twelve to twenty-four hours. After the hide has remained within the lime water, for the requisite time, the hide is rinsed in clear water and all the hair removed. The hide is again placed in clear water for the purpose of soaking out the lime and this water is changed twice a.

day until all the lime is soaked out from the hide, which will take from twelve to thirtysix hours, depending upon the thickness of the hide. When the lime has been entirely removed from the hide, the hide is ready for the tanning solution, which may be prepared in the following manner To four gallons of water, five pounds of japonica (an extract of catechu) is added, and the Watt? and japOIliGfl. are boiled until Serial No. 556,076.

thoroughly dissolved. Then add four gallons of water to the solution and also add to the solution. one pound of red oxide of iron, one-eighth pound of tripoli, and one-half pound of carborundum. These ingredients are stirred into the water until a thorough mixture is secured. The hide is placed in the tanning solution and completely covered thereby and allowed to remain until tanned and saturated through and through. Two or three times a day the hide should be taken out of the solution and aired for a few minutes. Complete tanning will take from three to ten days, according to the thickness of the hide. When the hide has been sufficiently colored and saturated through and through, it is taken out of the solution, laid on a smooth table, rubbed out perfectly smooth, and when it commences to dry it is oiled thoroughly with parafiin oil. When the hide is thoroughly dry it is finished.

Japonica effects the principal part of the tanning operation in this process and particularly acts to Open up the pores of the hide. Any other tanning solution which will accomplish the same end is within the purview of my invention, though I prefer to use japonica. The red oxide of iron mixed with the tripoli and .carborundum by being very finely powdered or pulverized settles into the pores of the hide or leather and acts as a filler, makes the leather solid and durable, and particularly impregnates the pores of the leather with an abrading agent so that leather so treated makes a Very fine sharpening material and is particularly adapted for stropping razor blades or fine cutlery. Parafiin oil makes the hide soft, pliable and water-resisting.

I do not wish to be limited to the particular tanning solution. used, nor to the particular abrading agents with which the hide is impregnated, as other finely pulverized abrading agents might be used. I have found, however, in actual practice that the several abrading agents above referred to are particularly valuable, for the following reasons Red oxide of iron is a very fine powder and settles into the pores of the hide and acts not only as an abrading agent but also as a filler for'the leather which does not harden it. The three abrading agent which I use have no effect on the japonica, and while my experience has shown me that it is best to have the three abrading agents to.

gether, I do not Wish to be, limited to this, as the tripoli, for instance, may be left out. The red oxide of iron helps to color the tanning solution. If the tripoli is left out, more oxide of iron should be used, enough to make up the amount of tripoli. Carborundum if used alone does not make as smooth a surface as when combined with the oxide of iron. Any tanning solution may be used which does not contain acids. I use japonice, however, as it is easy to obtain and com monly used in the tanning of leather. The paraffin oil is more penetrating and gives a much smoother surface for stropping purposes than other gums and oils commonly used in finishing leather and at the same time does not gum. By rubbing the leather perfectly smooth while it is yet Wet from the tanning solution, I secure a better finish than I otherwise would.

1. A tanning and hide impregnating solution consisting of Water, japonice, oxide of iron, tripoli, and carborunduni.

A tanning; solution consisting of the following" ingredients in the following proportions: 8 gallons of Water, 5 pounds of japonica, 1 pound of oxide of iron, 1' pound of tripoli. and pound oi cerborundum.

signature.

GEORGE H. PENDLETON.