Chammying

/ˈtʃæmiɪŋ/ verb

Definition

The process of treating leather to make it soft and pliable like chamois, or the act of buffing something with a chamois cloth.

Etymology

Present participle of 'chammy,' derived from the verb form meaning to process leather using traditional chamois-making techniques. The practice comes from Alpine leather-working methods dating back centuries.

Kelly Says

Chammying leather involves soaking it in fish oil and alum—a process so smelly that medieval tanners were often forced to live outside town! This ancient technique is still used for the finest leather goods today.

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