Quality Materials, Quality Products
All of our leather products unless otherwise indicated are constructed of full-grain, vegetable tanned leather. Some suede or other types of materials may be used for secondary characteristics such as inside pockets and lacing.
Leather is a natural product with varying characteristic that differ from hide to hide. Grain and color variations are to be expected with each order and are not the result of a defect or flaw in our products.
If you want your products to match as closely as possible in color or other feature please order said products at the same time so that we may accommodate that request more effectively. During the checkout process you will be provided with an opportunity to add a message to this effect at no extra cost.
Leathercraft Terms
Thickness or Weight - Leather is usually measured in terms of ounces. One ounce equals 1/64th of an inch thickness. Thus, a weight of 7 to 8 oz. means the leather is 7/64th to 8/64th of an inch thickness. In an effort to make leather a uniform thickness, wet hides are run through a splitting machine. However, each animal is different and there is always a slight thickness variation throughout the hide. This is why leathers are usually shown with a range of thickness, such as, 4 to 5 oz., 6 to 7 oz., etc.
Grain - The epidermis or outer layer of animal skins. Grains may vary slightly in color similar to wood grains.
Full Grain - Leather that is just as it was when taken off the animal. Only the hair has been removed and the grain or epidermis is left on. Only full grain, vegetable tanned leather will absorb water and tool correctly. All leather carving and tooling must be done on full grain leather.
Top Grain - Top grain leather has often been sanded to remove scars and then sprayed or pasted to "cover up" the work. Top grain is not the same as "Full Grain" leather.
Split - This refers to the undersection of a piece of leather that has been split into two or more thicknesses. Splits are usually embossed with a design and finished or sueded.
Suede Split - Leather that has been sanded to produce a nap.