Different types of leather and its classification

Leather is a tough and durable material, but not all types are created equal in terms of quality and uses. Leather is classified on various grounds, and in this article, we will focus on a few of these classifications. We will also discuss the applications of various leather types. After reading this article, you will gain a clear insight into which leather to choose for your next project.

What are the different types of leather?

Leather type depends on the source of hide that is the animal it is taken from. Traditionally cowhide is used to make leather but skins of other animals like buffalo, deer, goat, camel, sheep, etc. are also used each having its own unique properties. Further, leather can also be classified on other factors like part of the animal it is taken from, the tanning process, the thickness of leather, and the grade of leather. Here’s the complete overview of these classifications of leather

Based on the part of the animal

The grade and quality of leather depend on the specific part of the animal’s body it’s taken from. Leather is a natural material that has evolved with the animal and its life. The skin provides protection to the animal by acting as a barrier between the animal’s body and natural elements. Some parts of the animal’s body are more prone to damage from elements and are therefore tougher and relatively thicker. These differences will lead to different types of leather.

1.| First grade– The top-end portion of the cowhide is considered the first grade which is the best part of the skin and that’s why it commands the highest price in the market. This portion of animal hide only makes up 13% of the whole animal skin.

2.| Second grade– The area just below the top end, that is the side end portion is called second grade. This is considered slightly inferior as compared to first-grade hide but it is also very tough and has huge demand in the market. This portion of hide contributes to the 30% of animal skin.

3.| Third grade– The area starts from the top of the neck down to the right before the belly of the animal is considered third grade which is even lower quality as compared to first and second-grade animal skin. This portion of hide contributes around 32% of animal skin.

4.| Fourth grade– The belly and bottom part of the animal, including the legs and head skin is considered fourth grade which is the lowest quality leather of all. This portion of skin contributes to the rest 25% of the skin with 17% on the belly and legs, and the rest 8% on the head.

Based on the tanning process

Types of leather can also depend on the tanning process the hides have undergone. Though there are several tanning methods, the most commonly used methods are vegetable tanning and chrome tanning. Here’s an overview of both:

Vegetable tanned leather

Vegetable tanned leather also known as veg leather, is a type of leather that is tanned using natural tanning agents that are derived from the bark of the trees. Additionally, natural dyes are also used to dye the leather. This leather type possesses some very unique properties and it is known for its special surface patina.

Chrome tanned leather

Chrome tanned leather or simply chrome leather is tanned using chromium salts and it is quite cheaper as compared to veg tanned leather as it is easy to produce and production takes less time, unlike vegetable leather.

Based on thickness and weight

Leather can be further classified by its thickness and weight, regardless of the animal source or other classification categories. This classification system determines its suitability for various applications. Here’s an overview:

Based on grade

Leather has 4 grades of leather which starts from full grain leather which is grade one and is considered the highest quality and the quality keeps on decreasing as we go further down the line.

1.| Full grain leathers

The full grain leather is obtained from the outermost layer of animal skin just underneath the hair and that contains all the natural grains of animal skin. In addition, it also contains irregularities such as insect bites, scratches, or branding marks which is highly desirable to leather enthusiasts

2.| Top grain leather

When full grain leather undergoes some surface modifications which involve sanding, buffing, or embossing the surface, top grain leather is formed with even texture and smooth finish. Top grain leather is very tough but it is considered inferior to full grain leather.

3.| Split leather

Split leather is obtained after full grain and top grain layers of animal skin are separated, the leftover part of the hide which has a napped and velvety surface texture, is known as suede leather. Suede is less durable than full grain and top grain and has quite different qualities.

4.| Bonded leathers

Bonded leather is the lowest quality of leather and it is not even fully natural. It is made by shredding leftover parts of real leather into fine pulp, and then mixing that pulp with bonding material. Finally, that mixture is bonded on a cloth or paper backing. It is not nearly as durable as other types of leather.

Conclusion

I hope our article answered your question about the classification of leather. If you have any doubts, feel free to ask in the comment section

For more information on leather products, you can check our other articles or you can contact us. LeatherBlues is known as one of the best stores for real leather products. Explore our amazing collection of leather garments and services.

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