What is Leather? Where does Leather come from?

Without the milk and meat industry, leather would not exist. Without the leather industry, the hide would be just another waste product to be processed and disposed of. Leather is a material prepared from the skin of an animal, mainly used in fashion and decoration. It is generally the skin of large mammals such as beef and pork, but also fish or exotic animals, industrially processed by tanneries and tanneries to ensure its preservation. There are different types of leather, depending on their appearance, their origin and their manufacture. It is important to remember that leather from animal parts recycled after the gastronomic use. Here, I try to unearth dormant stocks of exceptional leathers from luxury houses.

What is full grain leather, and what is corrected grain leather?

Full grain leather is a leather that has kept its upper surface intact. It is the noblest part and the area of the hide with the highest density of fibers. They make it a resistant and soft material. Over time, full grain leather will develop a more even patina than other types of leather. Full grain leather, even of high quality, keeps the asperities of the skin such as: scratches, small scars, insect bites, or natural wrinkles. After selecting the hide, the tanner will deal with the presence of these asperities. Full grain leather does not undergo any alteration other than the tanning itself. To mask the asperities of the grain, the leather can be lightly sanded, it is the upper leather that remains thick and becomes corrected grain leather. The corrected grain leather is subjected to a more important sanding work to make its surface uniform. It is a slightly thinner leather. This modification changes the properties of the leather such as its durability, and its behaviour over time. All CouleurSedona leather goods are made from full grain leather.

Leather tanning

Tanning is the operation which consists in transforming the skin into leather thanks to tannins of various natures (vegetable, mineral or combined) which make it possible to pass from a putrescible matter, to a rot-proof leather. Mineral tanning is the most common method. This type of tanning is carried out by soaking the hides in drums. The most commonly used tanning method is the one that uses chromium salts. It produces leathers that are more or less supple depending on the operating conditions, with a high resistance to traction and tearing and that can withstand high temperatures. All these finishing operations contribute to the protective properties of the leather against stains, friction, water or light, as well as its
aesthetic characteristics such as shine, color, flexibility or relief.

Full grain aniline leather and full grain pigmented leather

Considered as the most beautiful of leathers, the full grain aniline leather keeps its original grain by letting the grain appear. Its maintenance is delicate because the surface is little protected. Pigmented full grain leather has kept its original grain. However, a pigmented protection protects it from damage. The look and feel may seem a little less natural than in the case of aniline full grain leather. But it is easier to maintain.

Grained leather

I choose leathers whose surface grain is more or less apparent, which gives each piece a wilder look. I accept its small imperfections for a natural and unique final aspect.