VEG, Latigo, Chrome, etc. What does it all mean?

[Regis]

There are leather types/names used frequently here and the only one that I know/use very much is veg-tanned. It can be used for most anything, dyed and protected but, other types I just don't know. Could we have some discussion on the names and uses of different leathers.

To start, what are the following leathers primarily used for AND what should they NOT be used for. AND how can we tell them appart

COWHIDE

--- Latigo -

--- Chap -

--- Chrome-tanned -

--- Alum-Tanned -

PIGSKIN

GOATHIDE

Thanks,

Regis

Edited April 19, 2008 by Regis

[Luke Hatley]

regis, i see we will have a lots to Jawbone about when you visit..............

or if you get the answers beforehand we will drink a lot of coffee.see you then

[TwinOaks]

Hey, Regis, here's a link that has LOTS of info. Starts at the current linked page and goes on for several pages

Enjoy your reading

http://www.kingsmerecrafts.com/page17.html

[Regis]

Mike,

That is a really good term definition/reference sire BUT, doesn't help me much on uses or non-uses (don't know if that is a word).

Regis

[ClayB]

Regis,

Have you checked out Siegel's website? It has a lot of info on all kinds of things like that. You might have to look around a bit to find exactly what you are looking for, but a lot of your questions might get answered there.

[Regis]

Clay,

Those are good descriptions for suggected use at Seigel (but, your link doesn't work). Is there a common leather that should not be used for items handled a lot by hand (bag, purse, wallet, keyfob, etc)?

Thanks,

Regis

[Beaverslayer]

Regis, not sure about a few of those, but here's what I use some for.

Chap leather: typically a garment grade leather but of a heavier weight 4/5 oz. where garment leather tends to be 2 1/2 to 3 oz.

Pigskin: Splits, for doing crafts like "Native Sheilds" and such, can be painted on. Can also be used for linings, but not as nice as the Suede.

Suede, for lining projects.

Goat: Makes BEAUTIFUL lace. I use goat to make the lace for projects that I make out of Lambskin. Can also be used for purses and such.

Hope this helps.

Ken

[Johanna]

From my notes- not a complete list, but a start. This is from The Leather Industries of America.

ANILINE FINISH or ANILINE-DYED LEATHER

Leather which has been colored by dyes as distinguished from other leather treated by pigments or other opaque materials.

BARK OR VEGETABLE TANNED

Leathers which have been tanned with vegetable materials that are derived from certain plants and woods.

BELTING LEATHER

For the manufacturers of leather belts for transmitting power in machinery. Made from the butts of high grade cattle hides.

BUFFED

Leather which has been smoothed or sueded by mechanical sanding.

CALFSKIN LEATHER

Leather made from the skins of the young cattle and characterized by distinct grain or fiber structure.

COWHIDE LEATHER

Term specifically applied to leather made from hides of cows, although it is generally loosely used to designate any leather tanned from hides of animals of the bovine species.

EMBOSSED LEATHERS

Hides or skins finished with designs stamped on by etched, engraved, or electrotyped plates or rollers. A mechanical process of permanently imprinting a great variety of unique effects to the leathers surface. Done under considerable heat and pressure. Embossed designs may be an imitation of the natural grain or different animal skins, or designs of an artificial nature.

FULL GRAIN

Outer cut taken from the hair side of the hide from which nothing except the hair and the associate epidermis have been removed.

GLAZED FINISHED

A leather with polished surface produced by heavy pressure of a roller of agate, glass, metal or other suitable material on a selected finish formulation.

GRAIN

The outer or hair side of the hide or skin. Also the pattern of the outer surface after the hair or wool and epidermal tissue have been removed.

GRAINED LEATHER

Any leather on which the original grain has been highlighted by a finishing process.

IMITATION LEATHER

Materials so made and finished as to resemble leather. Included are coated fabrics, rubber and rubber compositions, and plastic materials. Terms connoting genuine leather should be used in trade names, as for the example "plastic calf," "plastic leather," "Compo-leather," "leatherlike" or "leatherette."

LAMBSKIN LEATHER

Describes leather made from either lamb or sheepskin, in as much as the skin is identical in appearance after tanning.

MINERAL TANNED

Leathers which have been tanned by mineral substances, notably the salts of chromium, aluminum, and zirconium.

MOROCCO LEATHER

Vegetable tanned fancy goatskins having a distinctive grain produced by boarding or graining. Embossed imitation of natural goat grain on other kinds of leather sometimes is called Morocco grained.

NAPPA LEATHER

Chrome, alum or combination tanned grain sheep or lambskin glove leather, drum colored.

OIL TANNED

Leathers tanned with certain fish oils. Produces a very soft, pliable leather such a chamois.

PATENT LEATHER

Leather with a finish which is mirror-like, flexible and waterproof. Also leather of this appearance made by film lamination.

PEBBLE GRAIN

An embossed-leather grain finish resembling a pebble surface, ranging from fine pebbled Morocco goat to heavy scotch grain upper leather.

REVERSED CALF

Terms applied to calf leather of heavier weights, finished on flesh side, containing oils to make it more water-resistant than suede, used for shoes where a nappy leather is required. Originally called "Trench Calf" in England, the term "Hunting Calf" is also used in that country. The term "Service Leathers" is used but is generally applied to splits and side leather.

SADDLE LEATHER

As used in the manufacture of harness and saddlery, this is a vegetable tanned cattlehide. The leather is usually a tan shade, is produced in various thicknesses and is also used outside the saddlery trade for leather goods of various types. In connection with other tannages, the term should be used to specify the leather as "saddle color," "saddle shade," or "saddle finish." "California Saddle Leather" is a registered trade name restricted to leather tanned by a tanner located in the State of California.

SHARKSKIN

Genuine sharkskin leather is made from the top grain of the hides of certain species of sharks and is used principally in shoes, belts, wristwatch straps, luggage, fine leather goods and for industrial purposes. It has varying, natural grain markings, or fine, smooth mesh like grain similar to pin seal. The term "sharkskin leather" should not be applied to other leathers, such as horse butts, embossed with shark grain.

SPLIT

A term used to describe the under portion of a hide or skin, split into two or more thicknesses. Devoid of a natural grain, it may be either sueded or pigment finished and embossed. Under ruling of the Federal Trade Commission, a split must be so marked and cannot be called "genuine leather" or "genuine cowhide."

TOP GRAIN

The grain split of a hide from which nothing has been removed except the hair and associated epidermis.

TRAVELING BAG, SUITCASE & STRAP LEATHER

A general term for leather used in traveling bags and suitcases. It does not include the light leather employed for women's handbags. The staple material for bag and case leather at present is leather made from the hides of animals of the bovine species, but other skins, including heavy sealskins and goatskins, are also used for this purpose.

WATER REPELLENT LEATHER

A leather which has been treated with any of several chemical compounds which repel the absorption of external water.

WAX FINISH

A method of finishing heavier weights of upper leather on the flesh side by working wax into the substance.

For more information on leather terminology, contact the Leather Industries of America, 1000 Thomas Jefferson St., N. W., Suite 515, Washington, DC 20007. Phone (202) 342-8086, fax (202) 342-9063

[RunningRoan]

Weaver Leather puts out an informative DVD that talks about types of leathers, costing, etc. Takes you on tours of tanneries too. Pretty interesting and it's FREE!! Just give Weaver a call and they'll send you one.