Hermes Box Calf - Is this dry rot?

[IFK]

Please notice the tears on the back edge, where it had to be sown at home (that's why it looks messy). Would that hold a stitch, if it needed to be hand sown again by Hermes?
Anoher tear on side folds and missing chunk in the front edge of the bag. I was told the it was all due to the bag's age (1945) and that it only had one Hermes spa treatment in 2010.

Are these tears dry rot and this is beyond repair?
And if the bag can be repaired, will cracks on the leather always show?

Thank you!

[Roger Koh]

>>> Please notice the tears on the back edge, where it had to be sown at home (that's why it looks messy). Would that hold a stitch, if it needed to be hand sown again by Hermes?

To hold a stitch, its stitch tear strength has to be above 2000psi (pound per square inch). Below 1800psi any stitch will not hold as well. The strength of leather depends on the fatliquor to return it to suppleness as the original fatliquor (fat and oil) diminishes through evaporation.


>>> Another tear on side folds and missing chunk in the front edge of the bag, I was told that it was all due to the bag's age (1945) and that it only had one Hermes spa treatment in 2010.

Again age is associated with drying of the original fatliquor from the leather structure. Question on spa treatment need to be specific, does the leather have a fatliquor moisture content reading with a leather moisture meter? And if so what was the percentage reading before and after? And we will know the reason for the tear.


>>> Are these tears dry rot?
Dry rot is when you can put a finger through.


>>> and this is beyond repair?

Before any repair the leather strength has to be tested for tear strength.
Rejuvenating the leather by Hydrator-3.3 > Fatliquor-5.0 system
Strengthening the leather by Impregnator-26
Repair by Bond-3D with Patch-4S or donor fiber using the technique practice in fiberglass repairs.
Filling of repairs with Stucco-90 + Bond-3D for high flex areas.


>>> And if the bag can be repaired, will cracks on the leather always show?

Just like repairs to metals and fiberglass sanding and filling where necessary applied.
Refinishing necessary to even out appearance with an opaque Micro-54 to block off base color and a transparent Aniline-76 to impart beauty of depth. A choice of luster level either gloss or satin applies to match original luster is available as AnilineTop-76G or AnilineTop-76S.

[IFK]

Thanks, Roger. So will all those repairs, I assume it would be hard to match the current color? Easier and cheaper to just dye it black?
Also, what would be the approximate cost to have a professional do the repairs?

Thanks!

[Roger Koh]

>>> So will all those repairs, I assume it would be hard to match the current color?
There is still a difference in color richness even when you use the same original color, considering the years it has expose to UV light and soiling.


>>> Easier and cheaper to just dye it black?
Not necessary it should be black – black, it could be a shade of black with lets say 10% of other color, will makes the black more aesthetic in value.


>>> Also, what would be the approximate cost to have a professional do the repairs?
Depends who you engage, Leather Doctor service goes by the hour US$75/- all depends on job scope.

The scope of service will depend on utility of the bag – for display as “see no touch” then it will be a finishing repairs, for utility then the structural repairs becomes very important from further handling damages.

[IFK]

It would definitely be for use, not for display.

[Pipeyboy]

I also have a Hermes Box calf bag with issues with crackling, scuffing and one tear. What would your recommend?