Leather 101
The first thing to keep in mind is that leather is a natural product. Each hide is just as unique as your fingerprints. The color, texture, and markings vary from hide to hide and even within a single hide.
Markings such as scars, wrinkles, and grain variations add character and individuality to your leather good and will show that your leather is quality.
What is a Patina?
Natural leathers develop a “patina” as oils from your skin and other elements of the environment absorbs into it. Patina isn’t a negative; instead people that love using leather products particularly cherish the weathered look that comes with regular use and passage of time.
It is the hallmark of a high quality, genuine leather product - a patina, a soft sheen that develops on the surface of the leather, imparting a character, a personality to the product.
Full-Grain vs Corrected Grain
Full Grain
Full grain leather is a top grain leather with all its natural texture (grain) intact. This grain is created by hair follicles, wrinkles, stretch marks, scars, brands, insect bites, and so on. Full grain leathers can show all of these characteristics.
Corrected Grain
Corrected grain leathers are still top grain, but have been lightly buffed (sanded) to remove the original texture and any imperfections. A texture is then embossed on the surface of the hide. This process transforms average-looking top grain hides and turns them into beautiful finished leathers. Corrected grain leathers will be much more consistent in texture.
Color Variation
Because leather is a natural product, it absorbs dyes and reacts differently to treatments from hide to hide. Even within a single hide, some areas of the skin may absorb more dye than another creating light and dark areas in the leather. This is most noticeable in pure aniline leathers. Sometimes color is purposefully applied in varying amounts to create a deep rich look.
Cleaning Instructions
- Never wash your leather item in the washing machine
- Mix a small amount of mild ivory soap to warm water and use a soft damp cloth to wipe away any dirt from the outside of your item.
- Never use baby wipes, vinegar or any other 'household cleaners' for cleaning or stain removal. Many of these products have chemicals and substances in them that can cause damage to the colour, dry the leather out, create a build up of grease in the leather and any number of other problems.
- Store leather items properly when not in use; keep out of direct sunlight and in low humidity as sunlight fades and dries leather
- We believe high-quality leather goods should be timeless, so we choose leathers that break in beautifully over time. Scratches, creases and darkening are to be expected.