How to choose a type of leather?

08-12-2017

The grain pattern

The ‘pattern’ on the leather is called the grain pattern. This grain pattern is largely determined by the thickness of the hide. Thinner leather often has a finer grain pattern, while thick leather has a rougher structure. You can see that, for example, when you compare the fine Noli leather with the thicker Negev leather. Moreover, the centre of a hide often has a finer grain pattern than the outer section.

A new grain pattern

In pigmented leather with a thick finishing layer, the grain pattern is mechanically rolled into the new top layer. This ‘print’ gives rise to a very uniform grain pattern in the finish with no scars or imperfections.

Finishing touch

There are three different categories of finishing for the leather: aniline leather, semi-aniline leather and pigmented leather. The finishing is aimed at making the leather more beautiful and creating an even colour or a specific degree of lustre. In addition, the finish helps protect the leather against dirt, water, scratches and sunlight. But when should we use the terms aniline, semi-aniline or pigmented leather?

Aniline leather

Only the most beautiful hides can ultimately become aniline leather. After the vat dyeing process, aniline leather is given a thin protective layer of just several mu (1/1000 millimetres). This preserves that real, pure ‘leather feeling’.

Aniline leather is wonderfully supple, soft and warm and its structure reflects the animal’s life. A unique character, exactly what the real leather lover wants. Due to this thin protective layer, aniline leather is more sensitive to external influences.

Semi-aniline leather

When you opt for semi-aniline leather, you get the best of both worlds. That’s because this leather, just like aniline leather, has the natural leather grain and the imperfections of a hide.

But semi-aniline leather is easier to look after because it has an extra finishing layer. That makes it suitable for more rigorous use, because you just need to wipe it with a damp cloth to clean it.

Pigmented leather

With pigmented leather, the hide is given a finish with an extra covering, and often also an additional finish. That gives the leather an even, uniform colour, but it does mean that the natural grain is less visible.

This finish helps give a uniform character to the desired ‘leather structure’. Thanks to its covering finish, pigmented leather is extremely user-friendly and easy to clean.

A sign of life

The charm of real leather is the life it has lived. And you can read that life story in an item of furniture. Because the small imperfections that you see make the leather a perfect natural product. That is why we want to give you some tips on how to reveal the story of the leather on your furniture.

Skin folds

These lines with a width of roughly 1 to sometimes 10 millimetres are often prominently visible in the leather. That is why they are integrated in a controlled way into the furniture, which is beautifully authentic as a result.

Insect bites

Those pesky mosquitoes also leave traces behind. They can be recognised by the small marks they leave on the surface.

Structural differences

A difference in the structure comes about due to the different ways the cattle move. The butt, the cornerstone of the hide that runs from the middle section to the tail, is often the most uniform part of the hide. Structural differences usually occur in the flanks, the axillae and to a lesser extent the neck of the cow.