Half tanned?

[RCE1]

I have seen references to this material on European forums. It seems there is a leather that is tanned on the outer surfaces but with a core that remains rawhide. I have done a little leather work over the years but never seen this material available in the US. Anybody have information or a source for this material? It apparently is very hard when wet formed and holds a lot of detail. It also has a lot of shrinkage.

[Les Voorhies]

It's used to make sheaths for Puuko knives, look up Mike Blue, I think he has an account here and I think he sells some of it.