Crazy or maybe not considering our current circumstances...
I don't know why I thought of this today (again maybe current circumstances) but wondering if there are any types of leather or finish that are more antibacterial than others?
I would have to imagine chrome tanned might be preferable to veg tan which will absord all kinds of moisture/odour/pigment etc. - of course this is also one of its charms.
I did start Googling very briefly and there do seem to be some antibacterial sprays and finishes that can be applied after production - perhaps an interesting extra or added feature - I hate to be a profiteer but I can imagine it being quite easy to tack on an extra ten quid for "antibacterial protection" or to coat your leather goods in "antivirus spraay".
Thanks Phil!
While we will almost certainly come through the other side of this crisis I am skeptical life will ever go back to "normal" or at least not for a very long time. People are going to be more cautious with their behaviour and purchases.
I would liken this very much to certain new trends we have seen recently - eat local, buy green, organic etc.
Again I am no huckster and if I had a significant interest in making loads of money I probably wouldn't be much interested in handstitched leathercraft, but I think there is a massive opportunity coming for those that can market their products as safe/antiviral etc.
@matthewodette28 I think that by the time the industry could adapt, the crisis will be over and in the back of everybody's minds. But that's pure speculation on my part.
As far as I know, most chrome tanned leathers have a waterproof/stain proof surface finish which could allow a virus to live longer. From what I have heard, other non porous materials like stainless steel etc can allow a virus to stay alive for several days.
Tannins in vegetable tanned leather are known to have antibacterial properties which is one of the reasons why leather doesn't rot.
None of the above is fact of course, but you probably have just as much chance of contracting Covid-19 by picking up a cucumber in Tesco's.
An interesting article:
https://slub.qucosa.de/api/qucosa%3A34222/attachment/ATT-0/
Something else to read:
https://www.scientific.net/MSF.948.212