It is probably not necessary to give an introduction to leather, the most durable material for shoes and bags. Since the dawn of time, it has been an indispensable component of our everyday life. Is there anyone who has not touched leather in one form or another at some point in his or her life? Not likely. Whether you swear by leather bags, have an unusual affection for leather shoes, or choose to minimize the usage of leather in your life, there is no denying that the material has etched its presence into the world for all time.
However, not everybody is sure of themselves and feels comfortable purchasing leather bags. Why is it the case? How are we supposed to choose the finest option when there are so many available on the market? Should we even need to explain that the absolute best comes at a price that is horrifyingly high? Take a look at the tags attached to the popular companies’ products and see how much they cost.
Sigh! We are well aware that the price tag is more than sufficient to cause us to pause and reflect.
But, hey, what do you think? You may actually purchase bags made of high-quality leather at costs that are more affordable if you have a little more knowledge about leather. Not to mention it is not inexpensive. But at a price that is significantly lower in comparison to that of the big brands.
Isn’t that a fantastic thing to happen? When people show an interest in learning more about the material that they enjoy using, it fills us with joy. The category of leather is the first aspect of this material that must be understood. This is dependent on the layer of the animal skin that is utilized in the production of leather.
Types of leather for bags
Leather is assigned a grade, just like any other type of product, and that grade is decided by the quality of the raw materials used to manufacture the leather. The thing which decides we use it to produce bags or shoes. Because leather is made from animal skin, it is assessed using the same criteria as other materials. Don’t you think that is something worth investigating?
Full-Grain
Remember that when you hear the term “full-grain,” it refers to the highest quality of leather available, so keep that in mind when you hear it. What appears to be the reason for this? We will clarify afterward.
During the tanning process, the topmost layer of an animal’s skin is used to generate full-grain leather. This layer is quite thick by nature, and it is resistant to the effects of water since it does not allow water to penetrate it.
The grains, which give the material its texture, are also tightly packed together to strengthen the material’s endurance and sturdiness. Tannin is applied carefully to this top layer to retain the animal’s inherent resistance and increase its lifetime. This allows the animal to survive for much longer. After that, it is treated before being stitched together to make a lovely leather purse.
All of this sounds amazing; yet, what distinguishes full-grain leather from other types of leather? Are you willing to take a guess at what it is?
Therefore, we will respond. Full grain leather that has been surfaced will age wonderfully. This means that as your leather bag is worn for a longer period of time, it will become softer and more supple. An aged bag made of full-grain leather is undoubtedly the most exquisite example of high craftsmanship and beauty available.
Full grain leather bag
Top grain:I assume you want the best for your bag! We were conscious that it may be interpreted in a variety of ways. However, you should not let that bother you. The explanation is not especially difficult to grasp. Top grain is the next quality level up from full grain, and it is made from the skin layer closest to the meat’s surface. Sanding and polishing the surface will remove any defects, leaving it feeling silky smooth after the operation is finished.
Yes, the presence of grain is what gives high-quality leather its uniform appearance. However, this also means that it does not last as long as full-grain leather and that it is thinner. Despite this, it is the second-best alternative, and the cost is far lower (not surprising, is it?). It is critical to note that we would not overlook high-quality leather bags as a choice. These are also stunningly attractive to look at.
Genuine leather:Do you find it odd that genuine leather is at the center of the product? If it is the real deal, it certainly deserves to be at the top of the list, doesn’t it? In reality, the answer is no. In the context of this discussion, the term “genuine” does not imply that the leather is of the highest possible quality. In fact, it is endowed with the most detrimental feature. Yikes! Yes. However, it is still made of genuine animal skin, so there is something to look forward to.
As is the most prevalent technique of production, this type of leather is often made by gluing numerous layers of lower-quality leather together. It should come as no surprise that genuine leather does not last as long as full-grain or top-grain leather and does not appear as desirable as these other varieties of leather. Having said that, the cost is not outrageously exorbitant.
Cowhide leather bags
Sort of cowhide leather is more correctly described as belting leather or strapping leather. Despite the fact that it can be used for a variety of purposes, upholstery is by far the most common usage for saddle leather (yes, that nice couch you saw was probably made of this leather).
Did you know that saddle leather, in addition to wallets and purses, could be used to make a variety of bags? If not, you should research this subject further. Furthermore, the life expectancy of your saddle leather bag is very likely to be one hundred years. Absolutely! Isn’t it a dream come true to be able to put our money into something like that?
Following that, we will proceed to the next step, which will be to gain a better grasp of the many forms of animal leather.
You make an excellent point. Other types of leather, some of which are made by the industry and sold on the market, are plentiful. On the other hand, we have streamlined this list to include only the most important ones used in the creation of leather bags. Shouldn’t we also be concerned with ensuring that the quality is high?
Goat leather: Morocco leather is another term for goat leather due to the origin of the material, which was traditionally produced in Morocco. Tanneries in Europe had obviously amassed sufficient experience by the beginning of the 1900s to be able to process goat leather on the continent.
Leather saddle (leather for saddles): Because of its greater thickness and weight, this
But what is it about goat leather that has made it so popular that it has been in demand for so many years? To begin, goat leather has a supple feel to it. It is not only lightweight but also (obviously) water resistant and tough. The gritty and abrasive texture of the leather is due to the thick fibers that are present in the leather. It is so soft and luxurious to the touch.
If the inside of the bag is lined with canvas, a bag made of goat leather may last for five or six years. However, you should keep in mind that you are responsible for taking care of the bag. Goat leather, just like other varieties of leather, is susceptible to damage when exposed to moist and humid circumstances. Let it age in its natural state, and once it is ready, give it a quick polish with leather wax.
What is cow leather called?
Cowhide leather: The most prevalent type of leather available on the market is called leather made from cowhide. Because it has such a wide range of applications, virtually anything may be created using it. It makes no difference if the skin came from an older or a more experienced cow to the process. These leather purses have the potential to endure a lifetime.
Additionally, it does not easily absorb water. Is it more weighty? Oh, yeah. Even though cowhide leather is somewhat hefty, the weight is not much of an issue. Cowhide bags are known for their durability and dependability. When you acquire these bags from High on Leather, there is no need for you to have any doubts about the quality of the products they contain. The bag should easily endure between seven and ten years. Shall we check to see whether its useful life may be extended beyond ten years?
Buffalo leather: To tell the truth, buffalo hide is not all that, unlike cowhide, despite the fact that it is even more robust and thicker. To be more specific, buffalo leather is two to three times thicker than cow leather, which contributes to its longer lifespan and greater tensile strength. Bags made from buffalo leather have a well-deserved reputation for reliability.
This leather is also utilized for the production of a variety of other items, such as robust shoes, travel bags, and heavy coats, among other things. In addition to that, were you aware that buffalo leather could also be used to make mats? The leather is highly elastic and resistant to the effects of moisture. Why else do you think travel bags made of buffalo leather are so dependable while also looking as wonderful as they do?
Hey, this is in no way the end of the list. Pigs, baby goats (called kidskins), alligators, crocodiles, snakes, and even fish such as stingrays and catfish are some of the various animals whose skins are used in the production of leather. Right! How therefore can we determine whether or not the leather bag is of a high enough quality? Will the hide of any cow or buffalo be regarded as the most desirable, or are there other factors that need to be taken into consideration? That is an excellent question that we had been expecting to hear from you. The response is right here in front of you.
What is the grade of leather?
There is a wide variety in the grade of leather available. Some of it is excellent, while other parts of it are not what they look. But how do we know? Look at what’s down here. The younger the animal was when it shed its skin, the better the quality of the hide it produced. Having said that, the animal in question should not be too juvenile either. Guess the gender of the animal if you think you know it. The hides of female animals tend to be thicker and have a grain structure that is finer. (Did you get it right?)
The Following Types of Food Are Fed to the Animal:
This should be very evident. The skin of animals that consume fresh fodder tends to be healthier (as does the skin of humans, oops!). Climate: Animals who live in harsher and colder climates have skin of worse quality than animals that dwell in milder climes. The hide is subjected to the elements, which in turn has an effect on the quality of the product.
Animal Husbandry: Animals who live in open pastures and have access to nutritious grass (food) have better skin than animals that are kept in confined spaces. To summarize, if you want a leather bag of good quality, it must be crafted from the hide of a younger female animal that has been exposed to temperatures ranging from neutral to warm and has spent its life on open meadows.
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