Leather: The Perfect Blend of Texture and Durability

Hello, dear customers! Welcome to our store, a place dedicated to providing high-quality leather bags. But before you start browsing our products, let's take a moment to get to know leather— a material that's both fascinating and full of charm. Don't worry; we won't overwhelm you with complex terminology or exaggerated claims about leather. Instead, we'll tell you in the simplest way why leather is so special and why we have a deep affection for it. Let's embark on this little adventure about leather, and everything will become clear.

Cowhide classification

1. The highest level of first-layer cowhide: The top layer of cowhide has an intact surface. It has the best durability, but its texture is hard. It is more suitable for products that need to be solid, such as shoes, stereotyped bags, etc.

2. Another type of top-layer leather: also called top-grain leather, it also belongs to the first-layer cowhide. It is processed from leather embryos with fewer epidermal defects. The surface is polished to remove defects on the epidermis, and the grain is polished. The dough retains its natural state and is thinly coated. It is soft and easy to shape, but its strength and breathability are relatively poor.

3. Nubuck leather: It is a kind of genuine leather made of calfskin, buffalo leather or yellow cowhide that has been sanded by a leather grinder to produce a velvet feel. It is used to make shoes that are comfortable and soft, with fine leather, breathable, and a strong texture in appearance.

4. Suede: It is the bottom fiber layer of cowhide. The suede leather made after polishing and dyeing is very soft and is very suitable for inner layer materials.

5. Second-layer leather: It is also a type of genuine leather, but the first four types of genuine leather are natural material surfaces, while this kind uses artificial synthesis to imitate the surface of the first layer of leather to produce a layer of skin film, and the price is relatively low. The durability is not high, and most of the so-called genuine leather products on the market are made of it.

6. Regenerated leather: In fact, it is not really epithelium. Many people in the industry call it super fiber. It is made by breaking up scraps during the leather-making process and bonding them with chemical fiber materials. Because the surface is not leather, it can be made into various textures and has a hard texture. It is generally used to make cheap furniture.

7. Vegetable-tanned leather: Vegetable-tanned cowhide is a leather material formed by processing high-quality first-layer cowhide with vegetable tanning agents. It does not contain substances that are harmful to the human body. It is a green and environmentally friendly leather that can be in direct contact with the skin and is harmless to the human body.

The leather is rich in oil and elastic. After use, the leather absorbs the body's oil, and the color (nude color) becomes darker, brighter, and softer with use. This is what we call "skin care."
Commonly known as tree paste leather, leather carving leather, belt leather, etc., because its cortex is thicker, harder, has good ductility and air permeability, it can be easily shaped after being wetted with water, and can also be used for carving, so it Widely used in shoes, belts, wallets, various bags, etc.
Another feature of it is that it can be easily colored with water-based dyes, but the coloring effect is not as bright as chrome-tanned leather, so it is generally dyed with more black, brown, and yellow, and the original color will gradually turn dark brown after being used for a long time. In addition to dyeing It turns black, and other colors will gradually deepen with use over time.
Because the surface of vegetable-tanned cowhide has not been chemically coated, the growth lines and scars during the growth process of the cow are preserved.
For example, there will be characteristics such as scars, lines, blood vessels and pore marks, and these characteristics will also vary depending on the body parts of the cowhide and individual differences. If you observe carefully, you will find its unique and exclusive appearance.
Most cattle that are raised will be bitten by mosquitoes. Most of these bite marks will be shallow pit marks under the surface of the cowhide.
There are also traces of slight pigmentation left on the leather if the cow has stab wounds or stutters after the scratches heal.
Some cowhide will show traces like tiger stripes, which are natural wrinkles of cows and have wrinkles just like humans. Since cattle have the habit of lowering their heads to eat grass, most of them will appear from the neck to the shoulders of the cattle, showing large lines.
The rib of the cow is the most commonly used area for leather. The so-called rib scars are scars left on the body during activities that have a somewhat wild feeling. Sometimes these scars are deliberately left on, highlighting the uniqueness of the work.
The wrinkles on the rib skin pattern will show large and small wrinkles due to different positions and different fiber densities. When dyeing, it will cause color differences such as differences in staining shades.
When dyeing, the dye will accumulate and concentrate in the tiny wounds or leather pores of the cowhide, which will also form the black spots you see. Such spots faithfully represent the character of the cowhide and the uniqueness of the leather.
When purchasing leather goods, you may wish to look for such marks.

8. Wax leather: It is also a type of vegetable tanned leather with a high surface oil content. As the use time increases, the surface wax will slowly be polished, and the leather surface will become more shiny with use. When your favorite leather item becomes brighter and brighter with use, you will see that the item has been with you for a very long time. It can be considered a very tasteful collection. The longer leather products are used, the stronger their retro feel becomes. Sometimes some things have been used for a long time and are really hard to bear to throw away.

9. Crazy horse leather: also known as oil-soaked leather and mad cow leather. It feels smooth to the touch, and the surface will produce a discoloration effect when pushed. It is soft and anti-wrinkle. It is widely used in bags, leather shoes, and belts.

The above are the types of cowhide that we often use in our daily lives. This is only a part of the classification of cowhide. There are many subdivisions of cowhide.

Sheepskin classification (divided into 2 types according to the type of sheep):

1. Sheepskin: The protein fiber structure is loose and fine, the leather texture is soft, the extensibility is large, the hand feels soft and smooth, the grain is fine, and the skin texture is clear and beautiful. The pores of sheep leather are small and oblate. They are composed of several pores. The pores are clear, arranged in long rows and evenly distributed. The grain surface is smooth and fine, with low strength, high extensibility, softness and richness. It feels smooth and is often used to make clothing.
2. Goat leather: Goat fur, a high-grade raw material leather. The leather surface is rougher than sheepskin and has wrinkles. Its structure is slightly stronger, so the tensile strength is better, and the leather surface is thicker, so it is more wear-resistant. Goat skin has rows of pores in a "tile-like" shape, a fine surface, dense fibers, a large number of fine pores arranged in a semicircle, and a tight feel. Goat skin can now be made into many different styles of leather. It is washable and distressed, and is often used to make bags or clothing.

Precautions for cowhide bags

1. Cowhide has strong absorptive power, so you should always pay attention to waterproofing and anti-fouling, otherwise it will easily become damp and moldy.
2. For genuine leather bags, be careful not to expose them to the sun. Exposure can easily cause the leather to harden and crack.
3. Avoid collision with sharp objects. If the leather is severely damaged, it cannot be repaired.

How to care for cowhide bags

1. Simple care once a week, use pure cotton gloves or pure cotton cloth and add some leather care products to wipe gently.
2. When not in daily use, desiccant needs to be stuffed inside the bag to prevent it from getting damp and moldy if it is not used for a long time.
3. When the bag is not in use, filler needs to be stuffed inside the bag to make the bag shape and not easily deformed when stored.
4. When storing, be sure to wrap the bag in a dust-proof bag to avoid dust and oxidation.

How to clean cowhide bags

1. Stains and spots
Use a bag cleaning sponge or pure cotton cloth with a little detergent, and clean it in a circular motion. After removing the stains, place it in a ventilated place to dry naturally.
2. Ballpoint pen print
You can take a small piece of eraser and gently rub it in a circular motion on the pen mark, then wipe it with care oil and let it dry naturally.
3.Drinks
If you accidentally spill the drink, use a dry cloth to absorb the water immediately, wipe it clean with a damp cloth, then wipe it dry with a dry cloth, and let it dry naturally in a ventilated place. Remember not to expose it to the sun or use a hair dryer to dry it.
4. Bag dyeing
If your bag comes into contact with faded clothing and is accidentally stained, you can send it to a professional bag care store or bag repair shop for color replenishment.

How to clean sheepskin bags

1. Tap loose dirt and stains: Use a soft brush or clean cotton cloth to gently tap the sheepskin surface to remove loose stains and dust from the surface.
2. Test the detergent: Before using the detergent, you need to test it on an inconspicuous area to ensure that it will not cause any damage to the sheepskin. You can try it first on the bottom of the bag or a less obvious location.
3. Use professional cleaners: Sheepskin is a sensitive material, do not use ordinary cleaners or soapy water. You need to choose a detergent specifically designed for cleaning sheepskin and follow the instructions strictly.
4. Small area cleaning: Use an appropriate amount of detergent and a clean sponge or soft brush to gently wipe the stains. Do not wipe hard to avoid wearing the sheepskin surface.
5. Remove detergent residue: Wipe the sheepskin surface with a clean damp cloth to remove detergent residue.
6. Drying: Gently dry the surface of the bag with a clean towel or absorbent paper towel, and dry it in a ventilated place. Do not expose it to the sun or use heating equipment such as a hair dryer.
It should be noted that sheepskin is a fragile material, so you need to be very careful when cleaning it, avoid using too much water or detergent, and using too hard items such as brushes. Sheepskin cannot be washed with clean water at home. If the stains are very stubborn, the sheepskin needs to be taken to a professional leather care center or dry cleaner for cleaning.

How to care for sheepskin bags

1. During the later stages of cleaning, avoid exposure to the sun, fire, or residual chemical solvents, as these can cause damage to the bag.
2. If the sheepskin bag is frosted, remember to soak it in water. It should be wiped with raw rubber or washed with other more cleaning products. Remember not to use shoe polish.
3. Be careful to protect its metal accessories. Humid storage environment will cause oxidation of metal accessories. This is very important. If the metal accessories are damaged, it will be very troublesome later.
If a genuine leather bag is no longer used, it must not be stored in a random place. The bag must be stuffed with waste paper. This is mainly to maintain the shape of the bag and prevent later deformation. Then place the clean bag in a box. The box should be breathable and placed in a dry place. The box should not be weighed down by heavy objects.

Understanding Leather Imperfections

Leather is a natural product, and just like our skin, the animals used to make it will have wrinkles and scars. It's no surprise that you'll find small imperfections on most leather products. So, what are the flaws in genuine leather? Why do these flaws appear on real leather?

High-end leather tanneries and luxury leather goods brands only use the cleanest leather, but this leather only accounts for a very small portion, which is part of the reason why they are able to price their leather or leather goods goods much higher than other products. Because it takes time and effort to find the best leather.

However, that doesn’t mean you can’t find beauty in imperfection. Let’s take a look at some of the most common marks and imperfections you may see when purchasing leather products.

1. Rib scars
The so-called rib scars refer to the scars left on the body of cattle when they are active, which gives them a somewhat wild feel.
The ribs of cattle account for about 70% of the body, and this is also the most commonly used part of leather.
Some craftsmen will deliberately leave these scars on to highlight the uniqueness of the work.

2. Tiger spot texture/corrugated scars
Sometimes after processing, cowhide will show traces like tiger stripes. These are the natural wrinkles of cows, and they have wrinkles just like humans.
Since cattle have the habit of lowering their heads to eat grass, most of them will appear from the neck to the shoulders of the cattle, showing large lines.

3. Blood vessels
The cowhide will appear like lightning in the area where the blood vessels of the cow pass through it. This is the best evidence of genuine leather. When purchasing leather products, you may wish to look for such traces.

4. Rib skin wrinkles
This refers to the folds attached to the skin texture of the ribs. The most widely used part of cowhide is the ribs.
However, the fiber density will vary depending on the distribution position, so it will show large and small wrinkle effects.

5. Dyeing
Differences in dyeing are mostly due to changes in the cortex and differences in fiber density of the leather, which in turn produce differences in shades of staining during the dyeing process.
It also creates a rich leather look.

6. Pigment black spots
After the dyeing process, the dye will accumulate and concentrate in the tiny wounds or leather pores of the cowhide, forming the black spots you see.
Many would see this as a flaw in the dyeing process, but spots like this faithfully convey the character of the cowhide and the uniqueness of the leather.

7. Scab marks
If the cow has a stab wound during its life or a stutter after the scratch heals, slight traces of pigmentation will remain on the leather.

8. Insect bite marks
Most cattle that are raised will be bitten by mosquitoes.
Most of these bite marks will be shallow pit marks under the surface of the cowhide. If it goes through the dyeing process, it will become a place where the pigment is more concentrated.

9. Leather scars
These are healing wounds, often caused by barbed wire or thorny thorns.

 

After reading the above defects of cowhide, you suddenly feel that leather goods are expensive. Especially as the leader in the leather goods production industry, Hermès does not accept any defective leather and uses only 100% of the leather. With 10% of the best leather, the bags produced are really beautiful.

But we are not "Hermès", we are just ordinary cobblers. It is normal for leather to have defects, so there is no need to be too angry when buying defective leather. Just like our skin, there are no acne marks or scratches anywhere. ?

It’s important to note that these blemishes usually do not weaken or damage the leather. Leather with these marks will still stand up to daily wear and tear.
In fact, there are many tanneries that like to incorporate the natural grain of leather as it makes the leather they make unique.

Not to mention, having these natural traces is even more proof that your product is made from real full-grain or top-grain leather.
These natural marks are usually located in small areas of the leather. If you want the entire leather surface to be flawless, you can avoid processing it during the cutting process, but this will also increase the waste of leather and increase the cost.

Do you like those little natural imperfections and think they bring some character, or do you prefer flawless leather? Like most things, it really comes down to preference. There's nothing wrong with wanting everything to be perfect, just like there's nothing wrong with wanting to embrace all of your imperfections.