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UNDERSTANDING LEATHER

A simple guide to help you understand leather and leather types. Visit: https://www.thelondonleatherworkshop.com/

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UNDERSTANDING LEATHER

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  1. Understanding leather The London Leather Workshop What is Leather? Leather is the end-product of tanning the rawhide of an animal to make it strong, durable and flexible. Tanning is the chemical process of treating the skins and hides of animals to produce leather removing the water molecules from the collagen of the skin, leaving it much less susceptible to degradation. Tanning methods Vegetable-tanned leather is tanned with natural tannings, usually plant extracts like bark, leaves or pods. This type of leather ages beautifully, developing a characteristical patina over time. Chrome-tanned leather is tanned with chromium salts. Misinformation about the leather industry suggests that hexavalent chrome or chromium VI (Cr VI) is used in tanning. Chromium VI is a cancerogenic substance that is not used in manufacturing leather, but may be formed during the processing; for this reason, the industry has clear and effective guidelines to prevent its formation. Chrome tanning makes a versatile and consistent product. All other tanning methods are known by different labels but are usually grouped and referred to as ‘Chrome-Free’. Chrome-free leathers are usually made for a specialised performance requirement, such as automotive use. The most common is aldehyde tanning. Chrome-free leather are performing and heat resistant.

  2. Leather cross section Leather Grades FULL GRAIN LEATHER is the best quality available; its grain (surface) is intact. TOP GRAIN LEATHER is the second highest grade of leather. The outermost layer is removed to reduce defects. It can be finished, oiled/waxed, printed (corrected grain) or sanded (nubuck). SPLIT LEATHER is the leather from the lower part of the hide. Can be unfinished, finished or oiled/waxed Parts of the hide SHOULDER: The shoulder is a softer area of the hide. BELLY: The belly is the stretchier area of the hide. BUTT: The butt is the thickest and strongest part of the hide. Our sustainable leather Our sustainable leather is sourced from luxury accessory brands' material surpluses and manufacturing offcuts, and also from the best Italian tanneries' deadstock. www.thelondonleatherworkshop.com

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