# Fireproofing leather
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fireproofing-leather/685539
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [April 7, 2014, 9:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fireproofing-leather/685539 "2014-04-07T09:53:43Z")
**Posts on this page:** 11
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@the\_diego](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/the_diego)
#### Post date: [April 7, 2014, 9:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fireproofing-leather/685539/1 "2014-04-07T09:53:43Z")
The wifey bought me a leather trifold wallet from her recent trip to China. She doesn’t like my improvised trifold made from duct tape. She showed how the leather on the outer side can withstand a bic lighter flame for a few seconds with no damage whatsoever. What chemicals were applied to the leather? I do hope they’re safe.
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### Author:  [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)
#### Post date: [April 7, 2014, 10:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fireproofing-leather/685539/2 "2014-04-07T10:20:41Z")
Even raw, untreated hide isn’t particularly flammable with that sort of flame.
Leather is tanned using one of several different processes, some of them do involve quite toxic stuff including compounds of chromium (which incidentally probably do contribute to flame resistance).
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### Author:  [@AaronX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AaronX)
#### Post date: [April 7, 2014, 10:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fireproofing-leather/685539/3 "2014-04-07T10:46:43Z")
I thought the flame test is more to distinguish real leather from PVC, which will easily melt under the heat. It doesn’t mean the leather is fireproof or of a specific type/treatment.
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### Author:  [@Isilder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isilder)
#### Post date: [April 8, 2014, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fireproofing-leather/685539/4 "2014-04-08T01:13:32Z")
The test was just to prove it was leather , not to say that the wallet is specifically made to be fire proof.
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### Author:  [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)
#### Post date: [April 8, 2014, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fireproofing-leather/685539/5 "2014-04-08T01:58:24Z")
However, if you are prone to dropping your wallet into the campfire, that could be darned handy.
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### Author:  [@the\_diego](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/the_diego)
#### Post date: [April 8, 2014, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fireproofing-leather/685539/6 "2014-04-08T02:06:36Z")
Or maybe my penchant for burning money.
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### Author:  [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)
#### Post date: [April 8, 2014, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fireproofing-leather/685539/7 "2014-04-08T03:16:07Z")
untruthful people like leather wallets.
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### Author:  [@the\_diego](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/the_diego)
#### Post date: [April 10, 2014, 10:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fireproofing-leather/685539/8 "2014-04-10T10:20:53Z")
Boy, this is really ignorance fought.
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### Author:  [@The\_Second\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Second_Stone)
#### Post date: [April 10, 2014, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fireproofing-leather/685539/9 "2014-04-10T18:05:01Z")
> [@the\_diego](#):
>
> The wifey bought me a leather trifold wallet from her recent trip to China. She doesn’t like my improvised trifold made from duct tape. She showed how the leather on the outer side can withstand a bic lighter flame for a few seconds with no damage whatsoever. What chemicals were applied to the leather? I do hope they’re safe.
I’m guessing that your wife is embarrassed to be seen with you and your wallet at the same time. Humor her and use the gift and stop being an ass.
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### Author:  [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)
#### Post date: [April 10, 2014, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fireproofing-leather/685539/10 "2014-04-10T18:18:54Z")
In fact, clothing designed for protection against extreme heat is traditionally made from leather. Think of the heavy apron a blacksmith wears.
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### Author:  [@AaronX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AaronX)
#### Post date: [April 11, 2014, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fireproofing-leather/685539/11 "2014-04-11T00:38:26Z")
> [@The\_Second\_Stone](#):
>
> I’m guessing that your wife is embarrassed to be seen with you and your wallet at the same time. Humor her and use the gift and stop being an ass.
That’s a good point. Mine sure was embarrassed with my Tyvek Mighty Wallet.