Types of Leather

Throughout history, a material that has proven its durability and functionality time and again is leather. Once used, along with wood, to form the base of ancient technologies, it can still be found today in machines, in people’s homes, and in their clothing. The leather industry is one that has been around for a very long time, and one that shows no sign of disappearing.

Leather is created from the skin of animals. A number of different animals can be used to produce it, but the skin most commonly used is that of a cow. It is known to produce thick and strong leather, which makes it very good quality. Other animals used include lamb, sheep, bison, elk, deer, sting ray, kangaroo, ostrich, and many others. In order to produce the leather, once an animal has been slaughtered, it is skinned. The skin is given to a tanner, who performs the process of turning the skin into leather.

There are a number of different techniques that tanners use to produce leather. In all cases, the skin of the animal is altered by some chemical or substance. In past generations, salt or even urine would be used to process the leather. Urine was collected and allowed to turn into ammonia, which was then applied to the skin. Today, there are a multitude of different chemicals used in order to achieve different styles of leather products. Some of the methods used and their results are listed below:

- Aldehyde-tanned Leather – This process involves treating the skin with glutaraldehyde or other oxazolidine compounds. The leather has a white/cream coloration and is considered wet-white leather because of this. Mainly used for chrome-free leather, such as for infant clothing/shoes.

- Alum-tanned Leather – Skin is cured with aluminum salts mixed with protein sources such as egg yolk. The leather produced has a very light shade.

- Chrome-tanned Leather – Chromium sulfate and chromium salts are used in this process. The leather has a more supple texture and is more pliable compared to other types. It does not lose color or shape when exposed to water as some other types do as well. Because of the chromium, it forms a wet-blue coloration.

- Rawhide – This type is produced by scraping the skin until it becomes thin, and then soaking it in lime. Once done soaking, the skin is stretched. Rawhide is more brittle and stiff compared to other types, and is used in items such as dog chews, drum heads, or cut up in cords for stitching and lacing.

- Synthetic-tanned Leather – Aromatic polymers are used for this type, producing a white colored product. This type was created during World War 2 due to a shortage of materials for vegetable-tanned leather.

- Vegetable-tanned Leather – This process involves tanning the skin using tannin along with ingredients from tree barks, vegetable matter, and other sources. It has a supple texture is usually brown in color. It further improve this type, natural oils can be applied to lengthen the leather’s lifespan.

When leather products are ready to be sold, there are generally three different forms that it is sold in.

- Full-grain/top-grain leather is a form that has not been buffed, snuffed, or sanded. The grain is still in its original state, allowing it to retain its fiber strength and durability. It forms more comfortable clothing as natural grain has good breathability. The only thing removed from the animal skin is the hair.

- Corrected-grain Leather is a form that has had its surfaced buffed, snuffed, or sanded. Imperfections caused by bites or scars are taken out of the surface, giving it a different look. An artificial grain may be applied, causing this type to be lower quality than full-grain leather.

- Split Leather is produced from the fibrous part of the hide that remains once the top grain of the rawhide has been separated. One of the most common uses of this form is to make suede products.

These three forms are the most common, but there are many more forms available. Other less common types include Buckskin, Patent leather, Sharpen, Hachette leather, Slink, Deer skin, and Nubuck. Each offers its own unique qualities and traits.

Leather is used in countless forms in society today, from clothes to accessories to automobiles. The durability and uniqueness of leather have survived through the years to make it a prized material. Still today, most everyone feels more special when they are in possession of a quality, genuine piece of leather.

Learn more about leather hides and leather supplies and scraps, including deer, elk, bison / buffalo hides, cowhides, garment hides, upholstery hides, leather scraps, and suedes.