The importance of raw material

The different qualities in leather (soft, suppleness of gloving leather compared to the firmness of shoe leather), is achieved through the choice of raw material and a variation of the sequence of processes. The quality of the raw materials and style of the apparel or accessory mostly determine the price of leather.

The raw material, which is determined by genetics, greatly influences the quality of leather. Every hide and skin has sections that are naturally wrinkled, softer or thinner in certain areas. Environmental factors, including climate and food supply, also affect the final product. Since leather is a natural material, it is never uniform. Its small surface imperfections create a unique beauty that can never be duplicated.

Generally, the younger the animal, the thinner and smaller is the skin. The smoother and finer would be the grain structure and the less likelihood of skin damage caused by diseases, scratches, sores, insects, mites etc. Also, the better living and feeding conditions the better the quality of skin.

Over feeding gives greasier, weaker skins and under feeding gives weak, misshapen skins showing skeleton marks.

The female skins usually have a finer grained skin structure than the male skins give somewhat softer and stretchier leather. The less hair or wool there is on the animal, the tougher and stronger the resulting skin especially the grain of the skin.