Quality leather is something perfectly suited to be crafted into exquisite handcrafted goods. It can be used to make accessories, furniture, apparel, footwear, and many other pieces of art. But not all leather is created equal. Leather types and grades vary greatly in quality, properties, and characteristics; understanding these nuances can make all the difference when it comes to understanding your purchases.
Vegetable Tanned Leather vs. Chrome Tanned Leather
Generally speaking, leather is categorized by its tanning method, which significantly determines its type and grade. The two main categories are vegetable-tanned and chrome-tanned leather. Both have unique benefits that should be considered when selecting the best type for your project.
Vegetable-tanned leather is a natural process that uses natural ingredients like tree bark and plant extracts to tan the rawhide material of an animal hide into leather. While this method takes longer than other tanning methods and produces a slightly darker color of leather, the result is a strong durable material with a smooth finish that can bring beautiful designs to life over time as it ages naturally with use.
Chrome-tanned leather uses chemical compounds such as chromium sulfate or formaldehyde resin to give a unique shine and feel while also creating various colors when colored separately from the tanning process. This quicker method allows for more flexibility in terms of design ideas but lacks the natural aging potential of vegetable-tanned leathers.
Weight of the Leather
Another important factor when choosing between different types of leather is its weight, grade or thickness level which affects its durability as well as its versatility for different design possibilities. Generally speaking, there are three grades: lightweight (1-4 oz), midweight (5-7 oz) and heavyweight (8+oz). Lightweight has great flexibility making it perfect for small items such as wallets and covers. Midweight leather is ideal for purses, backpacks, and bags. Heavyweight would work better where heavy usage or resistance is needed like furniture upholstery or other industrial usages like belts or holsters due to its heaviness making it less prone to rip or tear through daily wear and tear over time compared to other lighter grades.
Differences between Leather, Suede and Nubuck
Leather is a durable material made from tanned animal hide. The leathers’ grain side has been turned outwards, giving it the signature leather texture and feel.
Suede leather is produced by sanding down the leather's nappy inner surface, in contrast to its grainy outer layer. It has a velvety soft texture and is often used for leather bags and clothing.
Nubuck leather is similar to suede leather but is created by sanding the leather’s grain side instead of its nappy inner surface, giving it a less-textured, smoother finish than suede leather. Due to its softer leather feeling, it is usually used for making leather furniture such as sofas and chairs.
Upholstery Leather
Upholstery leather is leather that has been treated specially for use in furniture and vehicle interiors. It is typically thicker than other leathers, making it more durable and long-lasting when used for upholstering furniture, car seats, and other leather-based items. It also has a unique combination of leather and vinyl, making it more water-resistant than other leathers, making it perfect for upholstery use in wet or damp climates.
Different Sources of Leather
Most leather products in the market come from cowhide. However, leather can come from many other animal sources such as buffalo, bison, sheep and even exotic leathers like snakeskin or crocodile leather. Different leather types offer different durability and aesthetics depending on their source. More exotic leather also carries an aura of rarity and luxury that can add an extra dimension to leather-based products.
Understanding the different types and grades of leather is essential for any consumer looking to purchase leather-based products. Not only does it help you select a product that fits your needs in terms of durability, style, and comfort but also allows you to appreciate the various sources from which leather can be produced. Whether it’s vegetable-tanned leather or chrome-tanned leather, lightweight or heavyweight grade leather, or even exotic animal hide leather – understanding these nuances will ensure that you make an educated buying decision when purchasing items made with this timeless material. With all of its diverse applications and unique characteristics, leather continues to remain one of the most popular materials used today by both consumers and designers alike.
Cheekoo's leather is the best of the best. Our leather products from Arbor Trading Post combine luxuriousness and durability with full-grain vegetable-tanned leather from Italian and American tanneries, some of the most sought-after leather in the world. Crafted by hand using solid brass hardware and traditional techniques, our one-of-a-kind pieces are made to last for generations – they actually get better with age! With a variety of leather types available, you can find exactly what you need to meet your style, comfort and durability needs.
