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How robust is real leather?
Real leather is one of the most resilient and durable materials when it comes to making accessories and clothing. Provided that the leather is properly cared for, real leather goods will be lifelong companions and can even be passed on from generation to generation as a product with emotional value. Early in human history, humans learned how to make animal skins durable. This enabled them to use this fascinating and versatile material to protect themselves and keep warm.
How robust is leather?
There are clear differences in the durability of the various types of leather . Generally, smooth leather is more robust than suede. Suede includes all genuine leather with a sanded, velvety surface. Due to their roughened surface, so-called full-grain leather and split leather are more sensitive to environmental influences such as moisture or dust and therefore need to be cared for particularly intensively and well impregnated. Please note that smooth leather and suede require different care products.
FROM SKIN TO LEATHER
To understand the properties of genuine leather, it helps to take a closer look at the origin and production of the natural product: Genuine leather is an organic product and is usually made from the skin of cattle, calves, goats, lambs, pigs, deer or horses. Most of these animal skins come from "waste products" of the food industry.
The surface of smooth leather consists of fine, firm skin fibers. Since the animal's fur was on this side of the leather, it is also called leather grain. Due to the characteristic structure of the leather surface, the so-called " grain ", it is also referred to as the "grain side" of the leather. It is considered the highest quality layer of the leather and is the reason why smooth leather is particularly tear-resistant and less sensitive to dirt and moisture.
Rough leather is divided into nubuck leather and suede leather . When producing nubuck leather, the grain side of the leather is roughened, creating a velvety surface. Suede leather is made from the "flesh split" of the leather.
THE QUALITY OF GENUINE LEATHER: A BRIEF TERM
QUALITY MAKES THE DIFFERENCE
Regardless of the type of leather, the quality of the leather also makes a decisive difference. Split leather, for example, is not as durable as full-grain leather during use. That's why it's always worth taking a closer look at the durability of genuine leather goods.
full grain leather
Full-grain leather is called "full grain leather" in technical jargon. This term indicates the highest quality of leather. In this case, the leather comes from the part of the skin that is at the top directly under the animal's fur: the grain side or hair side. This layer has the highest tissue density and can absorb nourishing oils and fats particularly well, which makes it particularly elastic and durable.
The surface of the full grain leather has not been sanded, so it is complete and intact. The natural grain of the genuine leather is retained.
Since only limited parts of the skin can be processed into full grain leather, this robust and high-quality genuine leather is relatively expensive to produce. Full grain leather products are therefore particularly valuable, but also very durable and - with appropriate care - will last for decades.
Genuine Leather
Literally translated, the term "Genuine Leather" means "real leather", which gives the impression that this is a particularly high-quality genuine leather product. In fact, however, the exact opposite is the case: This leather is also called split leather and is a waste product in the manufacture of high-quality leather goods. The grain side is "split" from the flesh side by splitting. The high-quality full grain leather is created from the upper, dense skin layer. The lower layer is processed into genuine leather, for example suede or split leather with a PU coating. Its structure has a lower density and is therefore less robust.
Top Grain leather
Top grain leather takes the next place in the hierarchy of leather types. Here, the grain side of the genuine leather is lightly sanded, creating a velvety feel and a uniform surface. However, the leather loses some stability through this type of processing. Top grain leather goods are still very high quality, but they are a little less robust and more susceptible to dirt than genuine leather goods made from full grain leather.
OTHER QUALITY FACTORS FOR THE ROBUSTNESS OF GENUINE LEATHER GOODS
In addition to the question of which layer of leather was processed and how, other factors also influence the quality of the leather. These include the age, gender, diet and husbandry of the animal, as well as the climate in which the animal lived. The different tanning methods also play a major role in durability.
influence of age
Like human skin, animal skin loses elasticity with age. Therefore, genuine leather goods made from the skins of younger animals are of higher quality and more robust than those from older animals.
influence of gender
The tissue of male animals and female animals that have not yet been pregnant usually has a denser fiber structure and a finer grain. This means that genuine leather goods made from male hides are often more robust.
influence of animal husbandry
The question of where and how the animal lived also plays a role in the later quality of the leather. Leather from animals kept on pasture is more robust and of higher quality, as this type of husbandry has a positive effect on the structure of the animal's hide.
influence of diet
Just as our diet has a decisive influence on the condition of our skin, healthy food also affects the quality of the leather. The healthier and more balanced the animal's diet, the higher the quality of the leather.
influence of the animal's life history
It is hardly surprising that the skin of female animals that have given birth to many young has less elasticity and resilience. But sexual activity also affects the stability of the fiber structure in males: castrated oxen tend to have a finer skin structure than breeding bulls.
influence of the climate
A harsh climate is not only beneficial for the quality of wool fibers, it also has a positive effect on the quality of the skin.
THE RIGHT CARE
Just like human skin, leather can easily absorb nourishing fats and oils. Proper care helps to keep genuine leather goods robust and maintain their elasticity and resilience.
It is therefore worth investing in quality leather and caring for it regularly. Genuine leather goods made from high-quality leather that are properly cared for and impregnated are extremely robust and can last for decades, giving them a patina without losing any of their beauty.
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