What is natural leather?
Contrary to the belief of the majority of society, natural leather is not made only from cow skin. In addition to cow skin, goat skin, sheep skin, snake skin, ostrich skin, etc. are also used in this industry.
The skins of these animals are taken to the tannery, and after performing a series of operations called tanning, the skin changes from raw and vulnerable to a strong and long-lasting material known as natural leather.
The most used natural leather in the fashion and clothing industry is cow and goat leather. For example, bags, shoes, jackets, belts and similar products are mostly made of cow and goat leather.
Classification of types of natural leather
Natural leather is classified on several bases. In the following, we mention these items and examine each one in detail:
1- Based on weight and thickness
2- Based on the type of skin of the animal
3- Based on the appearance of the procedure
Classification of types of natural leather based on weight and thickness
One of the criteria by which leather is classified is the weight and thickness of the leather. Two factors are effective in the thickness of leather:
used skin
Cutting and tanning type
The two mentioned items have a direct effect on the weight and thickness of the leather. This category itself has four parts:
1- Light leather
Light leather is made from goat and sheep skin and its thickness is less than one millimeter.
Uses: Light leather is used for the inner lining of the shoes and also for the soles of the shoes. Among other things that light leather can be used for is sewing thin gloves.
Light leather is very soft and flexible due to its low thickness, this feature makes light leather more vulnerable than other leathers.
2- semi-light leather
Semi-light leather is made from snake, crocodile and ostrich skin. This type of leather is one of the rare leathers.
Uses: semi-light leather has a high price due to its rarity and is mostly used in the manufacture of luxury goods.
3- Heavy leather
Heavy leather is made from cow and camel tanning, and its thickness varies from 1.4 mm to 2.5 mm depending on the need.
Uses: Heavy leather is the best option for making bags, shoes and leather jackets due to its high strength and flexibility.
4- Super heavy leather
Super heavy leather is made from camel and buffalo skin. The thickness of super heavy leather is above 3 mm and it has less flexibility than other leathers.
Uses: Extra-heavy camel leather is used in the shoe industry instead of taxon (between the sole and the insole). Super heavy buffalo leather is usually used to make leather soles.
Leather sole shoes that have natural leather texture are very high quality and rare.