![]() This results in a thicker, heavier material that creates extremely durable leather goods. The better the quality of the leather, the more layers it preserves.įull grain leather is made using the majority of the animal hide essentially keeping everything but the hair and flesh. Genuine leather (also known as premium leather)Īn animal’s hide is split into four sections the grain, grain and corium junction, the corium and the flesh.Listed from best quality to worst, the five types, or grades of leather are: When we talk about different types of leather, we refer to the layers of the original hide that are preserved in the finished material. Read on to discover more about the types of animal hides and varying tanning processes. Here the leather may be stretched, hand-painted or split for a particular thickness. Bating and pickling to expand and soften the hideĪfter this preparation process, the hide is then tanned using chromium salts or vegetable tanning extracts before the last finishing stage.Splitting to separate the flesh layer from the top grain.Curing and fleshing to remove fats and salts.The hide goes through an in-depth process before it is turned into leather. Known as a hide, it is light yet strong and naturally water-resistant, resulting in a flexible material that can be used to make furniture, fashion accessories and clothing, footwear, car furnishings and various other products. Real leather is made from the skin of an animal. In this guide to leather quality, we’ll teach you how to do just that and ultimately to get the best bang for your buck.įirst let’s go back to basics to understand what leather is made of and where it comes from. ![]() Understanding how each impacts leather’s durability and strength will allow you to make informed decisions when purchasing products. There are three main features that determine the quality of leather: the grade, the hide and the tanning process. But these defining features only apply when you invest in the right type of leather. It’s flexible, timeless in style and can withstand decades of use. A soft, suede-safe leather brush can also help restore the look and feel of your suede, especially after cleaning.Leather is an exceptional material. You may find that a damp cloth or sponge temporarily darkens your suede, don’t worry! As long as appropriate products were used, your suede should return to its original color once dried. Kits like the Uniter’s Nubuck Cleaning Kit that have been vigorously tested and come with clear instructions can simplify the cleaning process. It is imperative that the cleaner, and cloth or sponge, are safe for suede. If needed, suede can be spot cleaned with a soft, moist, lint-free cloth, or suede friendly sponge- using either water, or a suitable cleaner. When using any protectant, be sure to test a small, inconspicuous spot before applying to a large area. Which protects against oil, water, and alcohol based stains. We prefer non-aerosol, solvent-free products that can be sprayed evenly onto the surface, like Uniter’s Eco-Protector. A suede protectant is always recommended, and can be applied before use to help prevent staining. ![]() It is important to note that suede leather is a porous material, and requires some simple care and protection to keep it looking new. Single-sided suedes, like we offer here, are typically favored and are ideal for a variety of applications like shoes, handbags, luggage, furniture and more. While both sides of a piece of suede can be fully sanded and brushed to create “double-sided suede,” most often, only one side is given this level of finishing. ![]() Also, all premium suedes will be colored with aniline dyes that fully penetrate through the entire hide, and provide a rich, lasting color. As suede does not have any skin features or natural markings, a premium suede leather will be entirely usable. These looser fibers help give suede the unique, “fuzzy” feel which is also known as the “nap.” To create that unmistakably luxurious feel, the nap is lightly sanded to give suede a uniform look and extra soft touch. The fibers of the corium are notably looser than the fibers of the grain which is why suede is not as strong a material as top and full grain leather.īecause these fibers are looser, the bottom layer of a cow hide is perfect for making suede. Notice the top & full grain includes features of the skin and is made up of the grain and some corium - while suede is mostly just the corium. The next diagram is a cross section of the hide before splitting.
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