Pull-up leather: A timeless choice
The world of leather is full of amazing types of leather, each with its unique qualities. One such type, and my personal favorite, is pull up leather. While it is quite popular, some people still have questions about it.
In this article, we will answer common questions like: What is pull up leather? How is it made? By the end of this article, you will have a thorough understanding of this remarkable leather, enabling you to make a more informed decision when purchasing your new leather goods.
Table of Contents
What is pull up leather?
Pull up leather is typically derived from full-grain cowhide or buffalo skin, although it can also be made from full-grain leather, although this is less common.
Full-grain bovine leather undergoes treatment with various oils and waxes to create pull up leather, imbuing it with unique surface qualities and enhanced durability.
It earns the name “pull up leather” because it has a tendency to change color when stretched or creased. The area around the crease often becomes lighter due to the wax coating.
Types of pull up leather
There are two major types of pull up leather and they are classified by the surface finish and manufacturing process. The types of pull up leather are wax pull up and oil pull up leather. Both kinds of pull up leathers age well as they develop a gorgeous surface patina over time and usage.
Wax pull-up leather
Wax pull up leather is created by treating cowhide with oil and wax in order to give it a distressed finish. The unique quality of wax pull up leather is that when it is pulled or stretched, the oil and wax in it cause the color to displace and it tends to change color. The color becomes lighter around the area under stretch.
The wax coating not only provides it with a unique appearance but also makes it more durable and water resistant. It can resist water better than other types of leather. Wax leather is a kind of
luxury leather and it is used by some high-end fashion brands.
Oil pull-up leather
Oil pull up leather is created by treating cowhide with natural oils. There are various ways oil pull up leather can be made but the most commonly used method is to apply oil to the flesh side of hide and then press it to induce the oil to the other side that is the grain side of leather to get that classic weather-beaten look.
Oil pull up leather is very soft and supple as compared to wax pull up leather. It is a popular choice among upholstery and leather garment makers.
Is pull up leather for you?
If you like durable yet classic looking things then pull up leather is made just for you. It can easily last multiple decades and can even last lifetime if taken care of properly.
In addition to strength and durability, its appearance will only get better with time which makes it a timeless classic that can never go out of style.
How pull up leather is made?
As mentioned earlier in article, pull up leather is made by treating full rain bovine leather with natural oils and waxes. Here’s the complete overview of the manufacturing process.
1.| Selection of hide
High quality full grain bovine hides are selected for the preparation of pull up leather. Whole hide is used except hair.
2.| Tanning
Full grain animal hides undergoes tanning process that turns hides into leather. Majorly two types of tanning processes are used: Chrome tanning in which chromium salts are used as tanning agent and vegetable tanning in which natural tanning agents extracted from tree bark is used.
3.| Dyeing
After tanning, the leather undergoes dyeing. In pull up leather, aniline dye is commonly used as it can retain the original texture and does not change the stiffness of leather. Aniline dye can penetrate through the leather deeply.
4.| Hot stuffing
Here comes the key step in which leather turns into pull up leather and it is called hot stuffing. Hot oils, waxes and sometimes melted greases are induced into leather by a a machine which press the oil deep into the leather fibers. Then the leather is allowed to dry naturally.
5.| Finishing
After leather is dried, it undergoes finishing process that involves buffing, removing extra oil if any, and finishing coats are applied sometimes before handing over to quality check.
Pros and cons of pull-up leather
Pros
1.| Durability
The pull up leather is one of the most durable and strong leather type, it is even stronger than the full grain leather
2.| Age well
Not only durable, pull up leather also age wells as it tends to develop a nice surface patine which makes it even softer and more beautiful
3.| Water resistance
Due to the wax and oil layer, pull up leather is quite resistance to water
4.| Low maintenance
Pull up leather need less maintenance as compared to other types of leather
Cons
1.| Price
Price is the major disadvantage for pull up leather as it is quite expensive as compared to other full grain leather types
2.| Initial stiffness
Due to the full grain leather that is used to make pull up leather, it may feel stiffer in the beginning but once you break in, it will become softer and comfortable to use
3.| Scratch easily
Pull up leather due to wax coating tends to scratch easily and scratches are highly visible that some people doesn’t like
How do you care for pull up leather?
Although, pull up leather doesn’t need as much maintenance as other leathers do but after all it is a natural material and it does need some kind of maintenance.
1.| Conditioning
Conditioning is very crucial for any type of leather, you should apply a good leather conditioner once in a year or as specified by the manufacturer. We highly recommend that you should go through the instructions given by manufacturers.
2.| proper storage
Always ensure proper storage of leather goods. This means keeping them in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated place. Avoid plastic bags, which can trap moisture and damage the leather. Instead, use breathable fabric bags like cotton dust covers. Finally, never store your leather items folded, as this can cause permanent creases. Use hangers whenever possible.
3.| Avoid excessive moisture
Though, pull up leather is quite resistant to water but it is not fully impervious to moisture so you should always avoid getting your leather goods wet and wipe off any spills immediately with dry cloth.
4.| Avoid harsh chemicals
When cleaning pull-up leather, avoid using any leather cleaner or other harsh chemicals. These can significantly damage the leather’s oil treatment. Always refer to the manufacturer’s instructions for the recommended cleaning method.
Uses of pull-up leather
Pull up leather is very versatile and it can be used anywhere a normal leather can be used but due to its exceptional strength it is the first choice in making rugged leather stuff like horse saddles, safety gears, work belts, etc.
It is also quite popular among luxury brands and used to make footwear, jackets and apparel, accessories, handbags and luggage, upholstery, automobile interiors, and many more.
Conclusion
Well, I hope you’ve found answers to all your questions, such as what is pull up leather and Why is it so expensive. However, a common question remains: Is pull up leather really worth the price? Well, In my opinion, the answer is definitely yes. Considering all its unique qualities and the effort that goes into making it, both wax pull up and oil pull up leathers are worth the extra investment. No other leather can quite match the luxurious feel of top grain leather.
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.
Related topics: Why do bikers wear leather garments? It is something more than protection
How price of leather is determined? A concise guide