: Often a marketing term for lower-grade leather made from the remaining layers after the top grain is split off.
: Not a true hide; it consists of leather scraps shredded and glued together. 2. Choosing the Right Tannage buy leather hides online
: The second highest grade. The top layer is lightly sanded to remove imperfections, resulting in a more uniform but slightly less durable material. : Often a marketing term for lower-grade leather
: Uses natural plant tannins (like tree bark). It is typically stiffer, smells "woody," and develops a rich patina over time. It is essential for tooling, carving, or stamping. Choosing the Right Tannage : The second highest grade
The quality of your finished project is largely determined by the "grain" of the hide.
The tanning method defines how the leather looks, feels, and ages.
: Uses chromium salts to process hides in days rather than months. This results in soft, supple leather available in a vast array of vibrant colors. It is ideal for garments, upholstery, and bags that don't require structural stiffness.