Quality of Leather Goods Depends on Animal Type Used to Produce and the Tanning Process

 

Leather goods are a unique expression of class and luxury. The leather industry is a large global manufacturing industry that produces not only the finished product but also the raw materials used in the production. Leather is one of the largest traded commodities worldwide, with significant exports of skins and hide. The tanning process for the products is done in tanneries in European countries including Germany, Italy and France. Leather goods include purses, shoes, slippers, jackets, wallets, belts, and other apparel. This article takes a brief look at the history of leather and the development of leather goods from their early days as a simple substance for use in home decor to the current fashion trends of fashion leather jackets and shoes.

Leather is obtained from different parts of the animal family, including hides obtained from cattle, pigs, goats, and sheep. The hides are split from the animal's back, sides, and chest; this splitting process results in the creation of various grades of leather goods. The higher the grade, the tougher the hide, which is why lower quality hides are less desired by fashion designers. Common leather grades include top grain, side grain, and dual grain. Dual-grain leather is often sought after because of its high durability and strength.

Leather can be obtained from different parts of the animal family, including cows, pigs, goats, and sheep. However, cow hides tend to be more commonly used because they have a uniform thickness, consistent color, and good ride quality. Leather from goats and pigs are much softer than cow hides and therefore are considered inferior by many fashion designers. Different parts of the animal family will produce different quality of leathers depending on where they come from. For example, full-grain cow hides from the heaviest part of the animal are the best quality.

Different parts of an animal type will also produce differing qualities of leather goods. Calfskin is the thickest of all hides, while hiding backs are the thinnest. Genuine sheepskin is the softest of all three hide types, while South American and Australian aborigines produce fine leather products using their special wool. All leather is made from the skin of animals, but quality, thickness, weight, appearance, and care requirements vary from animal to animal type.

A major portion of the Earth's population lives in countries with abundant supply of raw hides. Consumers of leather goods range from the wealthy to the poor, as prices for luxury leather goods can vary from one region to another. The leather industry contributes significantly to the global food supply, and since leather goods help to produce or sustain millions of people's jobs, they are considered a true environmental treasure. By protecting the natural resources that exist within leather hides, the leather industry can contribute to the preservation of the Earth's delicate balance.

Anyone can become a leather crafter. Basic skills such as cutting and twisting require little effort on the part of the leather crafter, while experience and skill development requires frequent practice and work. Leather crafters must take into consideration the age and breed of their animal sources in order to be assured of consistent quality throughout their production and sale. Some leather crafters have begun their craft by purchasing skins from endangered animals, but many others choose to purchase hides from reputable tanneries and processors in order to provide the highest-quality product possible. Many of the world's best-known leather goods come from countries that promote animal conservation, so it is easy to see why the leather crafter's work has tremendous cultural significance.