Leather is a material loved by many for its flexibility and durability. It is made from tanning animal skins or hides and many different animals are used to make leather.
Leather has four basic grains or qualities; those are full-grain leather, top-grain leather, genuine leather, and corrected-grain leather.
Read the article below to know more about the types of leather for bags.
Types of Leather
Leather production is an ancient human activity. Most leather today is a by-product of the meat industry and is taken from cows because of their availability, their size and the quality of the leather.
Leather is also taken from a wide range of other animals such as pigs, sheep, deer, horses, and kangaroos. More exotic leathers come from ostriches, alligators, snakes, frogs and a variety of fish.
Corrected Grain Leather
Corrected-grain leather is also referred to as the lesser-known grain. It is a special type of leather, which is corrected and fixed by experienced leatherworkers to better its functionality and aesthetic qualities.
Hides used in making it do not meet the required standards in making aniline and vegetable-tanned leather. An artificial grain has been embossed on the top and dressed-out using dyes and/or stains.
Imperfections are usually sanded off and then corrected. Corrected-grain is used to make pigmented leather. This type of leather is usually readily available in the stores and is more affordable.
Full Grain Leather
Full-grain leather is characterized by its luxurious, smooth surface and it has few, if any, flaws. It is the most popular type of leather.
It has not been snuffed, sanded, or buffed to remove any natural marks or imperfections from its surface.
Its fibers are stable and durable because the grain has not been removed. There is less moisture in the leather from any prolonged contact as the grain has a characteristic of breathing.
This type of leather does not wear out easily. Instead, it develops a patina, which is a thin layer that protects the leather from damage from wearing or corroding. It is used in making high-quality footwear and furniture.
It has two finished product types; Aniline and semi-aniline. Aniline leather is the most desirable finish in the manufacture of leather.
It is exclusively dyed using soluble dyes without covering the top with insoluble pigment or topcoat paint.
Semi-aniline has a thin protective coat, which protects it from staining and wearing out.
Genuine Leather
Genuine leather is made from real leather. In a class of real leather products, genuine leather products are the lowest in quality.
These products are made from the leftover of leather after the high-end products are made.
The products manufactured from it do not look or feel as pleasing compared to those made from high-quality leather. Likewise, products made from genuine leather do not last as long before they wear out.
However, most people can afford this type of leather product as they are widely available.
Top Grain Leather
Top-grain leather has the second-highest leather quality of the high-end category of leather products. It is more pliable and thinner as its layer is separated away.
Its surface is sanded, and a finish coat is added to make it less breathable with a plastic feel and this makes it seem cooler.
Also, it develops pinna that protects it from damage and corrosion making it last longer. It has better stain resistance and is less expensive than full-grain leather.
Many people prefer buying this type of leather as it is durable and readily available. Many leather bags from Singapore use this type of leather.
Takeaway
Each type of leather will have a particular set of qualities, uses, and appearance. The quality of leather produced from a specific animal is influenced by a range of factors.
It is important to understand the differences between these leathers to effectively know the type and quality of the leather bag you are planning to purchase.
