Odd leather smell

[etoile de mer]

I wonder if this is an ‘anti-skunk’ measure or forms part of the newer tanning process that has been mentioned, which I believe is more environmentally sustainable and was required by regulations.

If I understood some of the speculation in this thread, I think it was this change in tanning procedures that resulted in #skunkgate (as it would surely be dubbed today!).

Interesting.. do you know when the new tanning procedures started?

The skunk leather noted here seemed to have been predominantly from years Q and R, so presumably a different tanning process was begun then. And then possibly abandoned for another process which, in some pieces, produces a chemical odor. If you read back through this thread, at some point (sorry, I can't remember when), while some members were noting the skunk problem, others were concurrently noting the chemical smell. Not sure if this helps, but I followed this thread from the start and made a mental note of the affected skunk years!

 

[GoldFish8]

The skunk leather noted here seemed to have been predominantly from years Q and R, so presumably a different tanning process was begun then. And then possibly abandoned for another process which, in some pieces, produces a chemical odor. If you read back through this thread, at some point (sorry, I can't remember when), while some members were noting the skunk problem, others were concurrently noting the chemical smell. Not sure if this helps, but I followed this thread from the start and made a mental note of the affected skunk years!

This is so interesting/horrible.. do you recall if anyone said the “chemical” smell eventually faded? I will Happily go back and read the whole thread.. probably will.. just hoping the thought is that the smell went away eventually.

 

[Israeli_Flava]

This is so interesting/horrible.. do you recall if anyone said the “chemical” smell eventually faded? I will Happily go back and read the whole thread.. probably will.. just hoping the thought is that the smell went away eventually.

Never. Goes. Away.

 

[etoile de mer]

This is so interesting/horrible.. do you recall if anyone said the “chemical” smell eventually faded? I will Happily go back and read the whole thread.. probably will.. just hoping the thought is that the smell went away eventually.

Hi GoldFish8, so sorry, I don't remember! I hope you'll find additional info in this thread. Hopefully yours is not too strong, and will dissipate with time!

Never. Goes. Away.

Hi IF, in your reply, just to clarify, are you referring to the skunk smell, or the chemical smell. They were noted in this thread as being distinctly different. GoldFish was asking about the chemical type odor. Have you had bags with both issues...I remember your soufre Birkin skunk ordeal.

 

[Israeli_Flava]

Hi GoldFish8, so sorry, I don't remember! I hope you'll find additional info in this thread. Hopefully yours is not too strong, and will dissipate with time!



Hi IF, in your reply, just to clarify, are you referring to the skunk smell, or the chemical smell. They were noted in this thread as being distinctly different. GoldFish was asking about the chemical type odor. Have you had bags with both issues...I remember your soufre Birkin ordeal.

Oh I'm sorry I didn't keep up lately. For mine ... a long time ago... Q stamp birkin I believe... it started as a strong chemical smell. Since day one. I hoped it would go away (air out). It was bearable but disturbing smell. Then, eventually, one day the bag was on my front seat with full sun on it... the smell turned into skunk =(

One of the worst experiences of my life. Don't even want to relive it. Won't come back to this thread.

 

[etoile de mer]

Oh I'm sorry I didn't keep up lately. For mine ... a long time ago... Q stamp birkin I believe... it started as a strong chemical smell. Since day one. I hoped it would go away (air out). It was bearable but disturbing smell. Then, eventually, one day the bag was on my front seat with full sun on it... the smell turned into skunk =(

Oh my gosh, I didn't remember how things progressed for yours! Thanks so much for clarifying. It seems some have had the chemical odor, but it never turned to skunk.

 

[Israeli_Flava]

Oh my gosh, I didn't remember how things progressed for yours! Thanks so much for clarifying. It seems some have had the chemical odor, but it never turned to skunk.

Yes I do remember eventually chemical odor was common. It was a huge problem. None of my bags after R stamp had ANY issues. Thankfully. xo

 

[etoile de mer]

One of the worst experiences of my life. Don't even want to relive it. Won't come back to this thread.

Yes I do remember eventually chemical odor was common. It was a huge problem. None of my bags after R stamp had ANY issues. Thankfully. xo

Glad to hear no issues since!

 

[hopiko]

This is so interesting/horrible.. do you recall if anyone said the “chemical” smell eventually faded? I will Happily go back and read the whole thread.. probably will.. just hoping the thought is that the smell went away eventually.

Hi, I had 2 skunk bags and 3 skunk belt straps...the stink would not go away on the skunk items and in the heat HORRIBLE...I returned all of them (shop much...LOL!) I also had a “chemical” smell birkin. The smell was not unpleasant, like the skunk bags, but not a lovely leather smell either. That smell did fade with over time and usage. 2 very different issues with different resolutions.

 

[Israeli_Flava]

still bothers me TREMENDOUSLY to this day how I was treated. SM has long since been let go from Hermes and the boutique isn't even in the same place anymore and still I refuse to shop in that boutique.
xo

 

[etoile de mer]

still bothers me TREMENDOUSLY to this day how I was treated. SM has long since been let go from Hermes and the boutique isn't even in the same place anymore and still I refuse to shop in that boutique.
xo

I wish they had handled that more graciously for you, right from the start!

 

[etoile de mer]

Hi, I had 2 skunk bags and 3 skunk belt straps...the stink would not go away on the skunk items and in the heat HORRIBLE...I returned all of them (shop much...LOL!) I also had a “chemical” smell birkin. The smell was not unpleasant, like the skunk bags, but not a lovely leather smell either. That smell did fade with over time and usage. 2 very different issues with different resolutions.

So sorry you had both issues, I didn't remember! But really helpful to hear your experience, thanks for sharing!

 

[GoldFish8]

still bothers me TREMENDOUSLY to this day how I was treated. SM has long since been let go from Hermes and the boutique isn't even in the same place anymore and still I refuse to shop in that boutique.
xo

I’m so sorry this happened to you! I’m glad though, that you have moved on, and you have since then acquired the most beautiful bags!

So, I have been Letting my bag air out more in the last few days.. and kinda rubbed the leather all over. It seems that the “chemical” smell is getting less..I’m hoping it doesn’t get worse over time! But i will Only know with time.

 

[GoldFish8]

Hi GoldFish8, so sorry, I don't remember! I hope you'll find additional info in this thread. Hopefully yours is not too strong, and will dissipate with time!



Hi IF, in your reply, just to clarify, are you referring to the skunk smell, or the chemical smell. They were noted in this thread as being distinctly different. GoldFish was asking about
Thank you for your reply! I think

Hi GoldFish8, so sorry, I don't remember! I hope you'll find additional info in this thread. Hopefully yours is not too strong, and will dissipate with time!



Hi IF, in your reply, just to clarify, are you referring to the skunk smell, or the chemical smell. They were noted in this thread as being distinctly different. GoldFish was asking about the chemical type odor. Have you had bags with both issues...I remember your soufre Birkin skunk ordeal.

thank you for your reply! So i am hoping the smell will fade eventually. I’ve been leaving it out in the open for the last few days, rubbed it down with my hand lol.. and left it on counter in front of the window with sunlight streaming through. It seemed like the smell became a little less. Again, I only really smell it when i stick My face up to the leather. It was pretty bad yesterday, but seems to be better today. I’m hopeful that in time this chemical smell will fade!

 

[GoldFish8]

Hi, I had 2 skunk bags and 3 skunk belt straps...the stink would not go away on the skunk items and in the heat HORRIBLE...I returned all of them (shop much...LOL!) I also had a “chemical” smell birkin. The smell was not unpleasant, like the skunk bags, but not a lovely leather smell either. That smell did fade with over time and usage. 2 very different issues with different resolutions.

Thank you for this! I think I’m in the chemical smell boat and hopefully not the skunk boat. Glad to know that your bag smell faded over time and with use. It is very reassuring to hear, it has gotten a little better now that i have Been airing it out more. Hoping in time it will be mostly gone