Leather Craftsmanship& Products Exude Style, Class & Self-Confidence!
Beyond Feeling & Looking Good - Is the Cost of Leather Worth the Investment?
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| Leather Equals Style |
According to FWO (FashionWorldOnline) - "Investing in an authentic, top-grain leather item of any kind, in the long run, will ultimately save you more than buying a cheap, low-quality good. That goes for any leather product." Here is the information you'll need to make the best decisions when buying leather products:
Quality of Leather
High On Leather tells us that "Not all cowhide is of the same quality. Some of it is superior, and some inferior..."
Their blog goes on to list the "Factors that Determine the Leather Quality":
"1) Age of the Animal: The hide of a younger animal is of a higher quality. That said, the animal should not be too young either.
2) Gender of the Animal: Guess if you can. The hide of female animals is denser with a finer grain structure. (Did you get it right?)
3) Nutrition Provided to the Animal: This is quite obvious. Animals that eat fresh forage have better skin (same as humans, oops!).
4) Climatic Conditions: Animals that live in harsher and colder climates have poor quality skin. The weather does its job on the hide, and that impacts the quality.
5) Animal Husbandry: Animals that live in open pastures and have access to healthy grass (food) have superior skin."
FWO summarizes, "...if you want a high-quality leather bag, it needs to be made from the hide of a younger female animal that has lived in neutral to warm temperatures and open pastures."
Their blog goes on to list the "Factors that Determine the Leather Quality":
"1) Age of the Animal: The hide of a younger animal is of a higher quality. That said, the animal should not be too young either.
2) Gender of the Animal: Guess if you can. The hide of female animals is denser with a finer grain structure. (Did you get it right?)
3) Nutrition Provided to the Animal: This is quite obvious. Animals that eat fresh forage have better skin (same as humans, oops!).
4) Climatic Conditions: Animals that live in harsher and colder climates have poor quality skin. The weather does its job on the hide, and that impacts the quality.
5) Animal Husbandry: Animals that live in open pastures and have access to healthy grass (food) have superior skin."
FWO summarizes, "...if you want a high-quality leather bag, it needs to be made from the hide of a younger female animal that has lived in neutral to warm temperatures and open pastures."
Types of Leather -
According to Bosca (artisans in working with leather) -
"There are many words companies use to describe the types of leather they sell. To help demystify things, we've created this straightforward glossary to defined some of the terms leather buyers are likely to encounter." Here's their list:
Bonded Leather - Known as the lowest of the grades of leather, bonded leather is made from production leftovers. Also referred to as reconstituted or blended, this material must contain at least fifty percent animal hide.?
Bridle Leather - “Bridle leather is the result of an in-depth tanning technique. Made using only the highest quality cowhide, this type of leather is smooth, flexible, and comfortable. Crafting bridle leather is time-consuming and intensive, so using materials that are free of flaws or defects is critical.”
Deerskin Leather - “Versatile as well as comfortable, deerskin leather is the tanned hide of a deer. Since it can be difficult to work with, this high-end product is not mass produced. Several characteristics draw people to deerskin leather. This light, thin material has plenty of stretch, so it is easy to shape and allows for some airflow.”
Full Grain Leather - “Full grain is the longest lasting, highest quality grade of leather available. It holds the pattern of the animal's skin and has a soft, natural look and warm feel. Because it comes from the top layer of the cow's hide, full grain leather is stronger and more breathable than others. Never sanded or buffed, the surface keeps its unique characteristics, including small imperfections like pores, wrinkles, and scars.”
Genuine Leather - “Corrected grain leather, or "genuine leather", is at the third tier when it comes to quality. This type of leather feels stiff and cold when compared to high-grade pieces. Removing the two outermost layers of the hide leaves an intermediate section, which is the part used for genuine leather. An artificial texture and color spray treatment is applied to create a natural look.”
Goat Skin Leather - “Goatskin leather, also known as Morocco leather, makes up nine percent of the world's supply. Though the majority of the industry works with cowhide, goat leather has a wide range of uses. Lanolin, which occurs naturally in the goat's skin, keeps this leather supple and minimizes the need for maintenance. Not only does this natural moisturizer help the hide stay soft and durable, but it also creates a water-resistant surface. The final product is warm, breathable, and lightweight.
Lamb Skin Leather - Lambskin leather is crafted from the hides of young sheep. These delicate skins require a gentler tanning process, resulting in finely grained leather known for its buttery smooth texture. Flexible and lightweight, lambskin produces one of the softest varieties of leather available. Over time, it becomes even softer and smoother. This extremely comfortable material is also more fragile than tougher, thicker leathers. While not as expensive as full grain, lambskin leather is also associated with upscale products.
Suede Leather - Suede is made from the underside of the animal skin, typically lamb, calf, goat, or deer. This leather finish can come from flipping the hide upside down to reveal the fuzzy backing or from removing the top grain to leave only the soft, fibrous bottom layer behind. After a buffing and brushing process, these hides have a velvety texture that is pleasant to the touch.
Nubuck Leather - “Created from top-grain cowhide, nubuck leather is similar to suede, but it is stronger and longer-lasting. This style is velvety to the touch but scratches easily. Made from the outer layer, or grain side, of the hide, nubuck leather is tough and durable. The surface is sanded and dyed to produce a clean, uniform appearance.”
Split Grain Leather - “To make them thinner and more manageable, thick animal hides are often separated into at least two layers. The portion closest to the animal's flesh is called split leather, split grain leather, or genuine leather. Split leather does not bear the same character marks or grain as the outside layer of the hide. It can be turned into suede or sanded, embossed, and pigmented to look and feel more like top grain leather. However, hides that go through surface coating lose their breathability and are not as strong as higher grade leathers”
Top Grain Leather - “Top grain leather has a smooth, uniform appearance. Slightly thinner than full grain leather, manufacturers generally have an easier time working with top grain. Once it goes through a sanding process, which removes a thin surface layer and takes away any unwanted markings, top grain leather has a flawless texture. At this stage, it can be stamped or imprinted with any design, including patterns that mimic snake, alligator, or ostrich skin.”
Your tastes, what your using the leather for and what your comfortable with, will determine your choices! Enjoy!!
The Bottom Line
What Does Wearing Quality Leather Clothes or Bags Do For You? Here's Our Answer - Style and Elegance!
FWO/FashionWorldOnline goes on to point out that "The unique sense of elegance and sophistication of a leather product might be, by far, the first thing the whole world agrees with. Whether it is in navy blue, red, or just classic black, if you are carrying a top-grain leather briefcase, you will most likely feel like the most classy person in the entire meeting room, during your business trip, and in all events in between."
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It's all about Style -- 100% Genuine Women's Handmade Leather Cross Body Bag. The Picture of Simple Elegance for Any Outing! $129.95 (Inventory is Limited)
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What's Next?
Take a look at some of our finds in the leather markets!
Great for making you feel Great or for Gifts That will Be Remembered and Long Appreciated!
From Our Families to You & Yours - Stay Safe, Be Well and Enjoy an Enhanced Lifestyle!
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Philip Eide // phil@vestabp.com // cell - 216.577.5579
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