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Leather Education

GET TO KNOW LEATHER WITH TANDY’S EXTENSIVE LIBRARY OF LEATHERCRAFT KNOWLEDGE

Leather buying guide

Leathercrafting fundamentals

The Language of leather

Aniline Dyed

Leather that is dyed all the way through with a transparent dye. Because the finish is transparent and shows the natural markings of the leather, only the best quality hides can be used.

Chrome Free

Also known as Aldehydetanned leather, this is the leather that most tanners refer to as wet-white leather due to its pale cream or white color. Used in infant’s shoes and automobiles.

Chrome Tan

This process uses soluble chromium salts, primarily chromium sulfate, to tan leather. Most commonly used for garments, footwear and upholstery.

Distressed

Aniline dyed leather with one color over another to create highlights and an aged appearance. Also called antiqued leather.

Drum Dyed

The process of coloring leather by tumbling it in a rotating drum immersed in dye to allow maximum dye penetration.

Embossed Leather

Leather that has been “stamped” with a design or artificial texture under very high pressure. It can be altered with patterns to mimic full grain leathers like alligator or a decorative floral.

Flesh side

The underside of the animal’s hide. When looking at a piece of veg-tanned tooling leather, this will be the rough side

Full Grain Leather

One of the most highly valued leathers, it is the outermost layer that has not be altered or corrected, with only the hair removed; it is durable and well sought out

Glazed Leather

A high gloss, smooth finish made by polishing leather with glass or steel under high pressure

Grain

The outer part of hide with wrinkles, pores, marks and other natural characteristics

Hide

The pelt of an animal that has been treated for human use

Latigo

A combination tannage leather that is both chrome-tan and veg-tan that is frequently used in tack

Milled

Leather that has been tumbled in large machines in order to soften and relax the fibers

Nubuck

Top grain leather that has been brushed to produce a soft, fuzzy texture that remains durable and long lasting

Oil-Tanned

Despite the term, this is leather that has had oil added to the hide after tanning; tends to be more supple even than chrome tans, is well hydrated and tends to be more water and dirt resistant

Patina

The way leather naturally ages, changing colors and adopting a sheen that adds character and beauty over time

Pull-Up Leather

Finished leather treated with oils, waxes and dyes that lightens in color when pulled or stretched

Suede

a type of split leather with a fuzzy, napped texture; similar to nubuck

Temper or Hand

Refers to the pliability of finished leathers; can be stiff or supple and everything in between

Veg-Tan

Conversion of rawhide into leather through vegetable-based tanning agents or extracts to enhance or modify the hide; the only leather that can be stamped, tooled and wet formed by hand