There are many leather goods sold on the market today ranging from office chairs to designer handbags. Just as there are many types of leather goods, there are also many types of leather used in their manufacture. This article will take a look at some of the different types of leather that are used to make the many different leather goods we use in our daily lives.
Vegetable tanned leather. This type of leather uses tannin which is found in vegetable matter to ‘tan’ the hide. In fact, this is where the term ‘tanning’ was derived from. Vegetable tanned leather does not hold up to water very well and it becomes hard when submersed in hot water. This was beneficial when leather was used as armor in olden times. Other leather goods made from this type of leather include book bindings because it is lightweight.
Chrome tanned leather. Leather goods have been made from this type of leather since the late 1800’s. The leather is tanned by using chromium sulfate which results in a leather that is more pliable, stands up to water, and takes on colors easily.
Alde Hyde tanned leather. This tanning process also leaves the finished leather a white color and it is used to make leather goods such as infant shoes and automobile upholstery.
Full grain leather. The finest leather goods such as garments and furniture are made from full grain leather. This type of leather is made from the finest quality natural hides which are cleanly processed only to remove the air Full grain leathers are much cleaner hides, have minimal scars, bug bites, urine burns, etc. which also make them more expensive than corrected grain leathers.
Top grain leather. This type of leather is made from low quality hides which have had the grain removed and artificial grain applied which leaves the leather even on one side and fuzzy on the other. A top grain leather is often made to hide slight leather blemishes. Top grain leather with excessive imperfections is often buffed smooth and then embossed with a grain pattern Belting leather. Leather goods such as belts, suitcases, and wallets are made from this type of leather which is hard, sturdy and shiny. Belting leather is usually vegetable tanned and full grain.
Synthetic tanned leather. This type of leather was developed when vegetable tannin supplies fell low during WWII. The finished leather was white in color.
Belting leather. Leather goods such as belts, suitcases, and wallets are made from this type of leather which is hard, sturdy and shiny. Belting leather is usually vegetable tanned and full grain. You can see there are many types of leather, and actually are many more than just those mentioned in this article. No matter what type of leather goods you have, you will need to properly care for your leather to keep them in good shape. Avoid getting your leather goods in water if possible. Vegetable tanned leathers can be kept supple by applying an oil such as mink oil. Exposure to sunlight can change the color of your leather even though it doesn’t hurt it in any other way. The fibers in leather goods will gradually break down over time, the process can be slowed down somewhat by keeping your leather goods in an environment with adequate humidity.
Leather expert and Author Ethan O. Tanner explains the various selections of Leather the determining factorschoosing leatherfor your project.