Let's Talk about Leather - Again!
In a previous post, we discussed the different types of genuine leather. But that was just the basics. Today, we’ll dive into how different leather treatments affect leather's texture, look, and style. And of course, we’ll use cowhide as our example again.
After going through various processing techniques, genuine cowhide can end up looking quite different. The most noticeable change? The texture.
Untreated Vegetable-Tanned Leather
The most popular choice for handmade leather goods is vegetable-tanned leather. This leather is tanned using natural tannins extracted from plants. It has a tight fiber structure with little stretch and is firm to the touch. Because of this, artisans find it easier to work with when making leather goods.
Of course, there are pros and cons. The upside is that vegetable-tanned leather gives your products a structured, high-quality look. But it tends to feel stiff, thick, and a bit heavy. While it’s great for showcasing the beauty of leather items like wallets, it can be less practical for everyday use because of its rigid texture.
Other Types of Leather
Other types of leather include oil-waxed leather, pebbled leather, distressed leather, crazy horse leather, elephant print leather, eco-washed leather, embossed leather, and cross-grain leather. Each type undergoes different processes to achieve unique textures and finishes. For instance, pebbled leather amplifies the natural grain of the hide, while crazy horse leather is known for its vintage, rustic charm. These different textures add character and style to leather goods.
So, What’s Nappa Leather?
Nappa leather is another leather style that comes from complex processing. However, unlike other leathers that emphasize texture, Nappa leather focuses on feel and quality. If you're a car enthusiast, you’ve probably heard of Nappa leather being used in luxury car interiors. Why? Because Nappa is renowned for its softness and durability. While early Nappa leather was made from super-soft sheepskin, advances in technology have made it possible to achieve the same softness with stronger cowhide.
Nappa leather is widely used in high-end cars for their interiors because of its luxurious feel.
Nappa isn’t just a type of leather; it’s more like a standard. Making Nappa leather from low-quality hides is tough because it requires three key characteristics:
Light finishing,
Preserving the natural grain,
A soft touch.
As a result, top-quality hides are essential to produce Nappa leather. Any imperfections in the leather will be obvious because of the minimal processing. This is why most Nappa leather is made from calfskin, which is elastic, smooth, and soft, with fine pores—ideal for creating that signature soft feel.
Zolton Uses Only Full-Grain Nappa Cowhide
Now you can see why Zolton uses Nappa leather as the foundation for our products. Items like wallets and cardholders that are part of your everyday carry deserve the best quality. We craft our goods from full-grain Nappa cowhide, giving you the softest touch, best quality, and ultimate durability.
Take a wallet, for instance. Since it’s something you carry daily, wouldn’t you want it to slip easily into your pocket without bulging out?
We hope you’ve picked up a few tips from this blog, and next time you’re shopping for leather goods, we hope you’ll find the perfect piece!
Check out Zolton’s top picks below, all made from 100% full-grain Nappa cowhide. Plus, we offer personalized engraving so you can create your custom, top-quality leather goods.
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