Stupid Question - What Color Is "Oakbark"?

[katie16]

Does it darken well or is it orangeish? Looking at a new bridle (unoiled english leather) and ad says it darkens to a beautiful oakbark color. What color is that?

[katie16]

And, when looking at tack . . . would you consider "chestnut" to be lighter or darker than "oakbark"? Soooo hard to tell from online ad photos!

[wendy]

our oak trees have a sort of light grayish colored bark. I know, not helpful at all.

[2DogsFarm]

Chestnut is the lighter of the two browns.

Oakbark may look orangey when you get it new (my brand-new Stubben scared the crap out of me unoiled), but it will darken to a deep brown.

[katie16]

Chestnut is the lighter of the two browns.

Oakbark may look orangey when you get it new (my brand-new Stubben scared the crap out of me unoiled), but it will darken to a deep brown.

Good to hear! In the photos the chestnut is the darker one, but that just didn't make sense to me.

[twofatponies]

Wow, that is a hard color to see online. It looks like a medium orange-brown, as opposed to chestnut, which is a little more red-brown & a touch darker.

I was trying to find a breast collar at equine affaire that was the same shade of chestnut as my saddle, and had to keep holding things next to each other to compare - there are so many shades, and they were slightly different brand to brand.

I guess that's how black got popular. Sorry I can't be more useful.

[Irish Ei's]

As far as leather is concerned, the chestnut should be darker...
Think FOOD chestnut, not HORSE color chestnut.

And oak comes in colors.
Take a look at Dover's oakbark tanned leathers....Walla.....

[AnotherRound]

Looking out the window, I'd say grey.

[Hampton Bay]

Looking out the window, I'd say grey.

Me too, my oak trees definitely have grey bark. It is a slightly brownish grey though.

[joiedevie99]

It also depends on what brand you are looking at. Don't assume that oakbark in one brand will match oakbark in another brand. Also, different leathers take oil differently.

[scot1las]

I'm thinking "oakbark" is referring to what you get when using oak bark in the tanning and dyeing process, rather than suggesting that the resulting color looks like the color of oak bark on the tree... :)

[Trevelyan96]

Oakbark should be a medium reddish brown and once oiled darkens to a dark reddish brown, almost like brazilian cherry flooring.

[Irish Ei's]

I'm thinking "oakbark" is referring to what you get when using oak bark in the tanning and dyeing process, rather than suggesting that the resulting color looks like the color of oak bark on the tree... :)


Perfectly said....
Leather that is truly oakbark tanned is prized and wonderful

[altjaeger]

Oakbark is a dark brown and nothing the color of actual bark on oak trees.