Review of Leather Types

The term Genuine Leather is a term often seen in advertisement. In short, leather is a material created through the tanning of hides and skins of animals, primarily cattle hide. Depending on the manufacturer's definitions and tanning methods, you will see many different looks that fall under the heading of Genuine Leather. Generally, if the leather product is described, merely as Genuine leather versus full grain, the top grain layer has been split off. The bottom portion that is left can then be finished with a gloss or mat finish. This type of leather is well used in luggage and casual items., it is very strong. Our Royce Leather Wine Tote 622-6 is a great example of a Genuine Leather Wine Tote.

The term Full Grain Leather refers to retaining the original grain surface after the removal of the epidermis and with no buffing, snuffing or splitting. Full Grain Leather, interchangeable with Top Grain Leather is the very strongest leather, often used with shoes, furniture, briefcases and bags. The dye process determines the ultimate look of full or top grain leather items. Our Le Donne Leather Messenger Bag 2116, is an excellent example of a Full Grain Leather Messenger Bag.

TANNING: Most fashion or accessory leather products are tanned through many different methods and combination of methods. You may see terms like vegetable tanned, Chrome-tanned leather. It is fashionable today to use vegetable tanning because of the natural aspect of vegetable tannins. In some cases, chrome tanning can produce a very durable finish. Some manufacturers are moving away from chemicals, previously used in dyes and tanning methods, for certain end use.

The term Italian Leather gets a lot of play. Italian leather has become very popular in fashion. Italians are proud of their quality of workmanship and selection of the finest cowhides and calfskins. Some say the colder weather produces a better cowhide. This, combined with high standards of cowhide selection and tanning technique, often renders a very desirable leather for fashion and high end leather accessories. Our Italian Leather Briefcase Jack Georges Sienna 7505 is a fine example of an Italian Leather Briefcase.

The term Suede Leather is a rather interesting term because of the process. Suede leather is often made from cowhide, as well as lambskin. Suede leather is created by running a wheel over the leather surface in order to separate the fibers which creates napped leather. The result is a leather that is soft and supple. You can often find this leather treatment on the inside of gloves, briefcases, notepads and other leather accessories. Our Jack Georges leather notepad with Suede Leather lining is a good example of how suede leather can be used to create texture and interest in leather goods.

SUMMARY: There are, in general, three types of leather used in leather goods: full grain, buffed or corrected leather and split leather. Full grain has not been buffed or resurfaced. Corrected leather is top grain leather, but the surface is corrected, usually to remove blemishes in the hide and produce a more visually desirable surface. Split leather is the portion that remains after the top layer is pulled away. This remaining layer can then be milled in many ways, including bonding the leather to produce very durable goods depending on the process involved. Ultimately, what matters is that you are satisfied with the quality and durability of the leather item and that the construction of the product is well made.