Types and classification of genuine leather. Types of natural leather: calfskin, goat skin, sheep skin, deer skin How to wear cow leather products

Genuine leather is always in price. This material is popular and in demand. For example, leather shoes will not lose their original properties for 5 years, and even more with proper care. However, it largely depends on other factors, for example, the manufacture and type of leather used to sew a particular item.

Currently, the types of leather are so diverse that it is sometimes very difficult for an inexperienced consumer to make their choice. Studying the range of products, you can see a significant difference in pricing policy. What explains this? In order to answer this question, you will need to study all the characteristics of this material.

For example, few people know that certain types of leather wear differently. Some are pleasant to the touch and soft, others wear out quickly, others need careful care, etc.

In our article we will try to talk about the most common types of leather. Let us describe the manufacturing methods. We will also tell you for which specific things this or that type is suitable.

Pigskin

Let's start our review with the cheapest type. This is pigskin. It’s hard to call her noble and luxurious. This material is used for the manufacture of budget clothing options, that is, the so-called consumer goods, for example, shoes, jackets, and less often raincoats. Unfortunately, this purchase will not please the owner very much, since this type of leather is not durable, practical, and, what is most unpleasant, it quickly and completely gets wet. If we compare quality, then only artificial leather is second to it.

Bakers

The skin of a noble wild animal, the peccary, is most often used to make gloves. Sometimes you can find shoes, they are very soft and comfortable. Its peculiarity is that the longer you wear the product, the more pleasant the sensation. This material has undeniable advantages - impeccable quality, strength and durability. Thanks to the original appearance, things look chic, but classic style they are unlikely to fit. However, not everyone can afford to purchase such products, since their cost is quite high.

Capybari

So, like bakers, it is used for sewing gloves, however, the products will cost slightly less, which makes them more in demand and accessible to a larger number of buyers. Leather is durable and practical, like many other types of leather. Her distinctive feature is funny appearance. Capybari leather products are ideal for everyday use.

Cowhide

Inexpensive but enough durable look - cowhide. It is very thick and tough and does not get wet at all. It is very difficult to judge whether these qualities refer to advantages or disadvantages. Everything will depend on what kind of product is made from it. It is also worth noting that the rustic appearance somewhat spoils the overall picture. It is recommended to purchase belts and bags made of this material, but jackets and shoes will be uncomfortable to wear due to their heavy weight and rigidity. This leather is ideal for reupholstering furniture, car interiors, steering wheels and seats, as it has a high level of wear resistance.

Cow's skin

The most favorable option for price-quality ratio is cow leather. It is widely used for this material. This material is quite durable, but can be a little harsh, especially if the skin of an older animal was used. When compared to the bullish species, the price is slightly higher. But this is fully paid off by the appearance, which, of course, is not suitable for branded products, but for the middle range it is quite decent, even noble.

Calfskin

Calf is a durable and soft leather, often used to make bags, jackets, and shoes. It is very delicate and pleasant to the touch, and is widely used in the manufacture of branded products. Excellent quality fully influences the pricing policy, but there is no absolute certainty that the highest class leather was used in the manufacture of expensive items. Often, this type of material is embossed, imitating the characteristic pattern of the skin of exotic reptiles, such as monitor lizard, snake, crocodile. Of course, such production can be called a fake, but the items are of high quality.

Deerskin

A fairly popular and sought-after type is deerskin. Very often this type is used for manufacturing because it has the necessary qualities:

• strength;
• wear resistance;
• perfectly protects from piercing wind;
• holds heat well.

This leather is also widely used for shoes. Such models are very expensive, but high quality and comfortable. Deer suede is in great demand. Even dress shoes made of such leather will be worn like slippers.

Sheep leather

Due to the high cost, it is quite difficult to purchase a product from. And it's not just about the price. Manufacturers rarely use such material, most often only for individual orders. It can be used for sewing jackets, belts, bags, gloves, but these products will be premium class with an appropriate price. It is very soft to the touch, but durable, and the weight of the finished product is light. Elite models are considered to be items made from lamb leather.

Goatskin

An excellent option for making branded accessories is goat leather. Due to their high density and strength, the belts meet the stated requirements. You can also purchase goatskin gloves. They are very soft, pleasant and comfortable constant use. However, such characteristics are fully reflected in the price of the product.

Cordoba leather

Famous French, American, Italian and English shoe manufacturers often use horse leather. It is quite unique, has a special shine, because of which unknowing people believe that it is artificial leather. Cordovan does not require special care, however, due to its high rigidity, pronounced creases may appear. The advantages of this material are strength and wear resistance; it is also capable of retaining heat very well, which is an excellent quality for shoes. The cost of such products is quite high.

Crocodile skin

Types of reptile leather are highly valued. For example, such shoes can cost from $1000. The characteristic of the material lies in a certain pattern, which gives the product originality. It is worth noting that the quality of crocodile skin is also high level- this is super strength and durability, which cannot be compared with other types.

This material can be divided into three categories:

1. Alligator skin is the most expensive option; it is used only in the manufacture of truly elite and exclusive products that have no analogues.
2. Crocodile skin can be classified as mid-range. It is more common on sale than the first option, but only a few can afford to purchase products of this level.
3. Caiman leather is the cheapest in this group. It is distinguished by a certain rigidity, which is unusual for other types, and is also significantly inferior in quality and service life.

This pricing policy is mainly explained by the complexity of dressing and the expensive maintenance of crocodiles.

Snake skin

Just like crocodile skin, snake skin is premium, but a little cheaper. In production it is used for the manufacture of exclusive models, distinguished by design originality and an informal approach. Such products are not suitable for Everyday life, they are purchased for significant events where influential people in society gather. It is worth noting that wearing snakeskin products will create a stunning effect.

It is soft and pleasant to the touch. For the production of things, python or cobra skin is most often used.

Ostrich leather

The elasticity of ostrich leather allows it to be used for sewing comfortable shoes, outerwear, accessories. All products are classified as luxury. This material is distinguished by the presence of volume and a certain texture, which from a distance resembles chicken skin. Ostriches are raised on specially equipped farms. Due to the fact that they have soft leather, the products are very convenient and comfortable to wear.

Processing methods

Looking at the products, you can notice the difference in the appearance of the material. Sometimes it is barely noticeable, but sometimes it is very clearly expressed. Why do fabrics of the same type of leather differ from each other? This may depend on the quality of the raw materials. But, as a rule, this factor is influenced by the tanning of the leather. There are a lot of processing methods, it is thanks to them that the canvas acquires its characteristic texture. It is simply unrealistic to list them all, and the average buyer does not need this knowledge. Let's focus on the most basic nuances.

Smooth skin

This is the most common type of manufacture, represented by a huge assortment of different products. These are shoes, jackets, raincoats, accessories. It is quite simple to care for and does not require any specific knowledge. It is practical and wear-resistant. This fabric is soft and gives pleasant sensations upon physical contact, but is not very thin, which indicates durability. There is such a thing as skin classes. It is this indicator that characterizes the quality of the product, for example, calf means that the material is well made.

Polished leather

When animal skins undergo chemical treatment, they acquire a beautiful shine. Their surface is perfectly smooth, without a pronounced structure. This natural leather is of lower quality and harsher than other types of finishing, which makes it not very popular. Also, people who prefer such products are distrustful of shiny surfaces.

Corrected skin

The name itself suggests that during dressing the leather was manipulated to hide defects. As a rule, for this purpose they are treated with various chemicals and then covered with paint. Attribute this option to quality products impossible. The manufacturer's label must indicate corrected/corrected-grain leather, which gives a clear description of the material. You can purchase such products only if the price fully corresponds to the quality.

Grain leather

The specific finishing of the leather allows you to give the canvas an original, informal appearance. The quality of such a product will depend on the consciousness of the processing company. Used for making shoes, but grain leather requires proper care. The products can be worn in rainy weather, since if all the rules are followed, the material is quite durable and can last a long time.

Vegetable tanning

This type completely eliminates chemical treatment. The leather has a noble appearance and is pleasant to the touch. Very soft, which can lead to abrasions. As a rule, such defects are accompanied by a change in color. The cost of products made from such leather is quite high, but this does not mean impeccable quality. Vegetable tanned leather requires careful care and respect.

Vachetta leather

This type of skin is very capricious and delicate. It is processed with minimal impact and is not used at all. chemical substances. Products made from such material are not intended for everyday use. They should not be wet or dirty, otherwise they will deteriorate. The material is mainly used for the manufacture of exclusive accessories, bags, and less often belts.

Sanded leather

As a rule, low quality skins can be sanded. To do this, remove the top layer. During grinding, all possible defects are eliminated, and the blade takes on a quite decent appearance. This dressing allows you to use two layers of skin to your advantage: high-quality products are sewn from the top layer, and budget shoes are made from the middle layer. Compared to other processing methods, sanded leather is the cheapest.

Velours

A type of polished leather is velor. It is distinguished by the presence of fine pile. Can’t “boast” of high performance. Afraid of interaction with water and dirt. The service life can be assessed as short-lived.

patent leather

Patent leather is very smooth, with a pronounced shine. This effect is obtained through the use of a certain technology. A special product (plastic) is applied to the top layer of the skin, which forms such a unique surface. As a rule, patent leather is used to make shoes and bags, and less often belts. It requires careful handling and special care. You can use such products subject to some restrictions, for example, temperature conditions (from -10 to +25 degrees), you cannot wear them in the rain. Also, the disadvantage of such shoes is their low ability to “breathe”.

Patinated leather

A special type of treatment is patinated leather. After dressing it takes on an aged appearance. With the right design it looks quite noble and majestic. The quality of such material directly depends on the materials used. It is rarely used in wide production, as it has a high cost and a specific appearance that can be appreciated by real gourmets.

Nappa

Nappa leather is a special way of processing cattle hides. Thanks to this treatment, the leather acquires good elasticity, softness and smoothness of the surface. The canvas is easy to dye. This leather is suitable for jackets and gloves, and both women's and men's models are sewn. It has a special shine, so when purchasing a product you need to be guided by personal preferences. Otherwise, this is quite high quality material.

Nubuck

This type of skin external signs resembles suede. It is pleasant to the touch, velvety and delicate, of quite high quality. Its advantage is good breathability. However, before purchasing a product, you should pay attention to whether a protective layer is applied to the surface of the leather. As a rule, manufacturers indicate this data on the label. Of course, caring for such material will be somewhat problematic, but if you wear shoes in dry weather, they will last a very long time. And accessories made from such material generally look simply gorgeous.

Suede leather

A common type of leather is suede. It is very widely used in production for sewing bags, gloves, shoes, outerwear and other products. It’s worth noting right away that you need to take care of it carefully; you cannot wash it, but only clean it with a special brush. However, this material has many more advantages: excellent air conductivity, softness, elasticity, etc. The velvety surface brings pleasure to the touch. When purchasing suede products, you must be extremely careful, as there are currently many fakes of varying quality on the market.

One of the most frequently asked questions, which readers ask me: “How can you tell if shoes or a bag are made of pigskin?” For a Muslim, it is very important what material a thing is made of.

So, pigskin. In the fashion industry, many brands use pigskin/suede to make accessories such as shoes, belts and bags because it is cheap and this reduces the price of the product. I don't know if this is due to the fact that it is easier to tan pig skins, or because pig skins are easier to get (because pigs are very fertile).

I hope that Muslims will benefit from this publication and be able to understand what kind of leather they buy. IN real life I can identify pig skin by its specific marks and texture. If we are talking about purchasing from an online store, then again there is an easy way to determine whether it is pigskin or not.

1. Physical properties.

The most important feature of pigskin is presence of a three-point pattern over the entire surface of the skin. Look closely, the three dot symbols come in many variations, but they all have something in common: the three dots are so close to each other that they form a kind of group. I call it Mickey Mouse symbol, because... well, doesn't it seem like it?

Another sign is that pores are visible over the entire surface. On a typical pig skin, you can easily notice the pores. Some manufacturers try their best to disguise it so that the pores are no longer visible, but Allah is Merciful: what is wrong cannot be completely hidden.

So, how can you recognize pigskin even from a photograph? Very simple. You will immediately notice where it is.

For example, this insole looks like it’s made of pigskin.

This is obvious because there are three points.

This is another version of the pigskin insole. By enlarging the photo, you again notice the three-point pattern, the pores are clearly visible.

Pig leather insole in neutral tones.

Can you see the pores? Yeah. So it's pigskin!

This is what I call “pork chamois.” Even in suede, the pores are clearly visible and a three-point pattern can often be seen.

And this is what I call “smoothed” pigskin. I think it's the skin of an old pig.

Do you think this is pigskin? Yes!

Here is another option for “smoothed” pigskin. The pores are strongly smoothed, but visible.

These shoes from the Sandro label may fool you: it's easy to think that the leather is calfskin. But - wait a minute - don't you see the three-point pattern?

And here it looks like peeled pig skin. The Asos label itself is made from sheep.

If you see that the label says that the leather is not pigskin, be sure to look at the sides of the shoes, because sometimes some brands, in order to reduce the cost of products, trim the sides of their shoes with pigskin. Here are some examples:

How do you know that it is NOT PIG SKIN? Remember what the skin of other animals looks like.

The typical skin of a young calf is smoother and more even than the skin of an adult bull. The grain on the leather is almost invisible, it is very smooth.

Sheepskin has small pores, but they are not grouped in groups of three, as is the case with pigskin. Take a look at the Asos label I brought to your attention above.

Buffalo leather is similar to mature bull leather, but is grainier and quite heavy for bags. And, like calfskin, the pores are not visible, unlike pigskin and sheepskin.

Deer leather is a bit like young calf leather in that it doesn't have visible pores (as I understand it) and isn't "grainy" like buffalo leather. It feels different from all the others.

Ostrich skin is easy to recognize. The pores on it are very noticeable, they are raised and clearly visible. In this way it is similar to pigskin, but the pattern of ostrich leather is single-point, there are no groups of three points.

Examples of calfskin insoles:

It's not pigskin because it's not pores, but perforations.

Sometimes it happens that you have doubts. And then it is very likely that the skin is pork. For example, like with these McQ shoes:

Doubt immediately creeps in: this is either smoothed pigskin or calfskin. But if you look closely, you can find confirmation that the skin is pork.

2. Smell.

It is very difficult to describe the smell in the text - you have to smell it yourself. I can say that pigskin has a pungent odor, vaguely similar to the smell of burnt leather, in contrast to the intoxicating aroma of calfskin.

One day I bought boots online. After looking at the photo of the insole, I was sure that it was not made of pigskin. There was no photo of the sides on the Internet, so I bought it blindly. When the package arrived and I opened it, I smelled a familiar smell. The smell of pigskin? But where could the pigskin be? And she's on the sides!

3. Price.

Another simple way to determine whether a product is made from pigskin (especially if you buy from overseas online stores) is to look at the price. Most cheap shoes will have pigskin insoles because it keeps the cost down.

As for brands, I avoid many of them because their shoes have pigskin insoles. I say this with confidence because I saw these shoes in real life - in shops in London.

These are the following brands:

• Kurt Geiger (especially cheap models, with rare exceptions).
• Hudson.
• Swear.
• Most of the shops mediocre", for example, Topman, River Island, New Look.
• H&M sometimes uses pigskin insoles, and sometimes synthetic ones.
• Most of the shoes are Asos.
• Most of the shoes are nubuck from Nike.

As for brands like Gucci, Prada, Fendi, I generally agree that they use calfskin. That's why they are so expensive.

The most important - CHECK BEFORE BUYING. You need to make sure that the skin is not pork. Maybe even at Gucci or Fendi you will find pigskin... (by the way, women's handbags made of pigskin were produced under the Gucci label, which was openly reported).

If in doubt, don't buy. As a Muslim, I never buy pigskin products. Dot.

There are many types of leather in the world. Most of us at best know 1 - 2 species. This is often used by sellers of both leather itself and products made from it, passing off one type after another and telling tales about the value of one type or another. We have collected the most common types. Perhaps someone will be interested in how and what leather things are made from. When going for a leather jacket, the information below will help you avoid big mistakes and gross deception.

Smooth skin

General designation for various types leather with a dense and smooth facial surface, which is achieved by special processing of the top layer of the entire animal skin. This treatment best preserves the natural surface of the upper side of the leather, which is sometimes enhanced with dust-like embossing. For the production of smooth leather, the best raw materials are used, which are processed taking into account the most modern technologies. Most often, smooth leathers are produced from the skins of very young calves, dairy calves, half-skins, outgrowths, cows, bulls, bulls, from the skins of goats, sheep, and in some cases - from pig skins or from the skins of foals. Of these materials in online stores we can see the most various products: photos of leather sheepskin coats, down jackets, jackets and raincoats.

patent leather

This is a type of leather with a shiny mirror surface, treated with a varnish coating based on polyurethane resin. The quality of such leather directly depends on the quality of the raw materials and varnish component used. Covered with a ground layer (usually based on natural cellulose - this layer protects the skin from loss of softness and flexibility) tanned leather is coated with varnish (usually based on polyurethane resins). Varnishes differ from each other - they can be not only glossy, but also matte, colored or preserving natural color skin. The color range of varnishes is unlimited - from ultra-bright to colorless or natural color options. Flakes of silicon, mica and other materials can be specially added to the varnish to create decorative effects.

Most often, such leather is used in the production of dress shoes, both women's and men's. Patent leather varies greatly in quality. Good patent leather made in Italy will never be scratched by a fingernail, even if the leather itself is soft, it can withstand repeated bending, stretches like natural leather, leaving the varnish coating unharmed, and is not afraid of frost or heat. Patent leather produced in China or South Africa, as a rule, is easily scratched by a fingernail, and the varnish layer bursts with slight stretching and bending. In Russia, it is almost impossible to find Italian-made patent leather, as it is very expensive.

Nappa

Nappa is a semi-aniline tanned leather with high flexibility and even coloration. A soft and thin material with high decorative properties, it comes in a wide variety - nappa can be shiny (aniline coating is applied to the leather) or matte (the matte effect is achieved using semi-aniline impregnation), perforated or smooth. The only property remains unchanged: the durability and quality of this material. Nappa leather is made mainly from the skins of both young and adult animals - the skins are double tanned, which also ensures that the leather is more soft. Most Italian jackets are made from this leather. Women's leather jackets, presented in our catalog is no exception.

Suede

This leather is made from elk skins (the highest quality), reindeer, sheepskins, goatskin or calf. Suede is mainly used for the uppers of dress shoes. During tanning, this leather passes through a special cutting machine, where, with sharp and long knives, the layers of leather are divided into the inner and outer parts. In this way, the leather is processed on both sides - the result is suede. Suede has a thick, low pile, it is soft and porous, thin, stretches very well, and allows air to pass through perfectly. The cost of products made from natural suede is very high, but this leather is practically resistant to wear - that’s why it is used for the production of luxury clothing and shoes.

Stretch leather

Velours

Velor is chrome-tanned leather for shoe uppers. Such leather is obtained by grinding the front or back surface of various types of leather. As a rule, leather that has raw material defects on the front side is used for this purpose. Split velor is obtained from split leather, which does not have a front side at all. The distinctive qualities of velor are uniform and thick pile, density, softness, ductility and high thermal conductivity. Velor is often confused with suede, but this is a gross mistake - natural suede is very rare. In contrast, the strength of velor is low - shoes made of velor get wet, dirty and quickly lose shape during wear.

Nubuck

Nubuck is a chrome-tanned leather that is produced by sanding the grain of the leather with fine abrasives to give it a refined appearance. The process of this treatment turns the smooth surface of the skin into soft and velvety. Nubuck has a soft, almost imperceptible pile, it is very wear-resistant, has excellent breathability - the skin “breathes” in shoes and clothes made of nubuck. One of the subtypes of nubuck is oiled nubuck. This is leather that, after sanding, is impregnated with a special oil-based substance. Oiled nubuck has a slightly oily surface, an “antique” look, and is not afraid of water.

Opoek

A common material for light clothing and footwear. The material for feeding is the skins of young calves up to 1 year old, which fed exclusively on milk. The skin of such animals is very delicate, elastic and soft, but at the same time strong. The collar stretches well, has a pronounced measure, is resistant to deformation, and therefore is excellent for making shoes. When finishing the moldings, it acquires a very beautiful appearance. Also, such leather can serve as a material for the manufacture of other types, such as velor or nappa.

Kid

One of the most expensive chrome tanned leathers. It is produced from goat skins of a small area (kids up to 6 months). This leather has a beautiful grain with a pronounced grain. Chevre leather is distinguished from sheep leather by its density, elasticity and water resistance. At the edges, such leather has a beautiful wavy appearance. The mechanical properties of chevro are low, but due to its lightness and beautiful appearance, as well as good vapor permeability parameters, such leather is a valuable material for the production of shoes. By the way, raw materials from India are often used in the production of chevro leather.

Chevrette

Chrome-tanned leather from young sheepskin obtained from semi-fine and fine-wool sheep breeds. It is similar to chevro, but more viscous and soft. A considerable amount women's shoes It is made from this leather. The structure of chevret is loose, so the mechanical strength has to be increased by treatment with polymers and other chemicals. substances. Chevret is often used to make haberdashery and is also popular in the outerwear industry. This leather is soft and stretches easily. Durable and non-ductile chevrette, which is more suitable for the shoe industry, is made from the skins of coarse-wool sheep of the steppe and Russian breeds.

Calfskin

The smoothness of calfskin is due to its structure - this leather consists of thin fibers. Mostly calfskin It is used precisely when it is necessary to achieve the classic structure of smooth skin. During the processing process, this leather is only lightly polished - more serious mechanical impact can ruin it natural beauty. This leather does not crack or break, is very soft, durable and has a natural texture. Shoes and clothing and such leather perfectly fit the contours of the body, perfectly allowing air to pass through and providing pleasant coolness.

Faux leather

Imitation genuine leather, used in all areas - from shoes and haberdashery to clothing. Almost all types artificial leather They have a multilayer structure consisting of a fibrous base - knitwear, non-woven material, an impregnating composition and finishing coatings, usually polymeric and not having the through porosity characteristic of natural leather. The resistance to repeated bending of such leathers is average, frost resistance is high - up to -25 degrees, moisture resistance is also high. The appearance can vary greatly - in fact, artificial materials copy any of the above types of leather.

Types of genuine leather

Genuine leather is a material made from the skins of various animals. Leather production is one of the most ancient. Each leather product is unique, since no two animals have the same structure. Man has long learned to process leather and use it to make clothes, shoes, bags and accessories. Genuine leather is classified according to several criteria: by purpose, by the type of raw materials used, by the finishing method.

Types of leather by purpose

According to purpose, natural leather can be classified into the following types:

1. – intended for the manufacture of shoes.
2. – made mainly from the skins of cattle and pigs. Used in the production of horse tack, holsters, belts, bags and leather accessories. Leather is characterized by maximum wear resistance and reliability.
3. – durable leather, used for drive belts, made from the skins of cattle.
4. – most soft material, they mainly use the skins of sheep, goats, pigs, and foals. Used for the production of leather clothing and bags.

Types of leather by type of raw material used

Cattle hide (cattle) – calfskin.

Calfskin is considered the highest quality and most valuable leather. It is used to make shoes, clothing, belts, accessories, furniture upholstery and is an affordable and popular material for making bags. Calfskin is smooth, soft, durable, does not break or form cracks on its surface. Production includes chrome and vegetable tanning. Calfskin bags very elegant, do not wear out for a long time.

Calfskin, depending on the age of the animal, is divided into the following types:

1. Slime – the skin of unborn calves. Skin thickness is from 1.0 to 1.4 mm.

2. Opoek - skin of calves up to 6 months old, breastfeeding. Soft, delicate, elastic, it is considered the most valuable leather. Skin thickness is from 0.5 to 1.4 mm.

3. Outgrowth - the skin of calves up to one year old, eating plant foods. The skin is less elastic and soft than the skin. Skin thickness is from 0.7 to 1.6 mm.

4. Half-leather – skin of calves under 1.5 years of age. The leather is tougher and can be sawed. Skin thickness is from 1.0 to 3.0 mm.

5. Cow and bull – the skin of a young bull (up to 5.00 mm thick), cow (from 1.2 to 4.0 mm thick). The leather is sawed.

6. Bull and buffalo - leather of bulls. It is the thickest and heaviest among cattle skins, has a rough and loose structure. The heaviest and thickest is buffalo leather. Due to their thickness and strength, such leathers have a long service life, but they are rarely used in production.

Sheep and goat skins.

Goatskin is a durable, soft and thin material with a beautiful grain.

1. Chevreau (from the French “with hevreau” - kid) - leather made from the skins of kids up to 6 months old. It is considered one of the most expensive lame tanned leathers. Very beautiful, dense, elastic chevro leather has a strong structure with an original pattern on the front side in the form of small wrinkles. Used for shoe uppers (including children's), haberdashery, clothing, furniture upholstery.

2. Goat leather – goat skin made from an adult goat.

3. Chevrette - leather made from sheep skins by lame tanning. The pattern of the mere is similar to chevro. Used for shoe uppers, clothing and haberdashery.

Pork skin.

Pigskin is the most economical and unpresentable type of leather; it differs in appearance and structure from the skins of cattle. Pigskin is now mainly used as a lining material and rarely as a base material. This is due to the fact that pig skin is not elastic enough, gets wet quickly, has a rough and hard surface, and also has a persistent odor. In addition, it is not strong enough, and the ugly perforated texture in the product does not look interesting.

Horse skin.

Horse hides are not often used in leather goods production; they are divided into 2 types:

1. Foal - the skin of dairy foals is a valuable material. Used for the manufacture of luxury products.

2. Foal foal - the skin of foals that ate plant foods.

Deer skin.

Deer leather is a very elastic leather, has high strength and heat protection. The most common material used to make deerskin is suede. Used for the production of gloves, briefcases, bags, wallets. The warmest gloves are made from deer leather.

Types of leather by finishing method

1. Smooth leather - made from the highest quality raw materials, most often from the skins of young cattle: calves, half-leathers, outgrowths, cows, steers, bulls, as well as the skins of goats and sheep. Products made from smooth leather are more wear-resistant. Smooth leather is used to make high-quality furniture and shoes.

2. Sanded leather– the leather is sanded and broken. It is sanded on one side, where natural pores are present. The other side is smooth. Used to make shoes, haberdashery, and clothing.

3. Embossed leather - leather in which a pattern on the front surface is obtained using molds or stamps. Using embossing, defects and imperfections on the facial surface of the skin are eliminated. The resulting pattern can imitate the skin of reptiles (snakes, crocodiles) and exotic animals.

4. Suede – “fleecy” material on both sides, fat-tanned leather from cows, sheep, goats, deer, elk (the highest quality). In terms of properties, it is soft, loose, but very durable velvety leather with thick and low pile on the front surface, thin, and well breathable. Suede is considered "washable leather" because it retains its properties after washing in soapy water. Suede is a popular finishing material; bags, gloves, shoes, clothes, and furniture are made from it.

5. Velor (French “velours” - shaggy, hairy) - chrome-tanned leather, obtained by grinding the front or back surface. Compared to suede, it has a finer pile. Velor is made from felt, outgrowth, sheep and goat skins, as well as pig skins (subject to finishing on the front side). Depending on the processing technology, velor can be either soft and thin or hard and thick. Very often, velor is confused with suede, but unlike suede, the strength of velor is low, and during wear, velor quickly gets dirty and loses its appearance. Unlike suede, it cannot be soaked in soapy water, because it loses its properties. When cleaning, the velor begins to shine.

6. Nubuck – “fine-haired” leather, subjected to chrome tanning and polishing of the front surface. Similar to suede, but a little more expensive. Most often, nubuck is light-colored and is produced from molds, outgrowths, and half-leathers. Nubuck is wear-resistant and breathable - the leather “breathes” in shoes and clothes. Used for making clothes, shoes, furniture.

7. Patent leather is very beautiful skin chrome tanned with a glossy mirror surface treated with a varnish coating based on polyurethane resin. Varnishes can vary in color (from colorless to ultra bright) and can be either glossy or matte. In addition, to give an aesthetic appearance to the product and create decorative effects, effects such as “chameleon”, “with sparkles”, “with a break” can be used. For the manufacture of patent leather, chevro, and less commonly opoek, pig skins are used. Patent leather is beautiful, the quality of the leather depends on the quality of the varnish. The best polishes Italian manufacturer. This patent leather is not scratched by a fingernail and can withstand repeated bending, leaving the coating undamaged. Poor patent leather from Chinese manufacturers is scratched with a fingernail, and cracks appear on the varnish layer even with slight bends of the product. Patent leather is mainly used for the manufacture of dress shoes, bags and leather goods. Lacquer bags require special care.

8. Split leather - leather obtained by cutting thick animal skins, mainly pork skins and cattle skins. Shoe and furniture leather is made from split leather.

9. Nappa is a very soft and elastic material with high decorative properties and easily takes the required shape. Nappa can be shiny or matte. A very durable and high-quality material, made from the skins of young animals. Used for the production of leather goods: jackets, bags, wallets.

10. Laika is a soft and elastic leather made by chrome tanning from the skins of lambs, kids, and cows. The surface of the husky is smooth, without wrinkles, has great stretchability, and a beautiful aesthetic appearance. Mainly used for the production of gloves.

11. Leather from reptiles, exotic animals– very expensive and noble leathers. These are the skins of crocodile, python, monitor lizard, ostrich, and kangaroo. IN Lately designers paid attention to the skin of fish (eels).

12. Aniline leather - leather with minimal technological processing, so to speak, with a “native” face. Aniline leather does not use artificial embossing or impregnation; the leather is the highest quality of all leathers. It is characterized by the presence of natural marks and scars on the animal’s skin. Due to the lack of processing, aniline leather is very sensitive and prone to developing a patina on its surface (acquiring an antique appearance). One of the most expensive leathers on the Russian market.

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What types of genuine leather do you know? Someone will answer that there is no need to know this, someone knows that there is leather and there is suede, someone does not even know that suede is leather. It is unlikely that a person not associated with the leather industry will tell you what kind of leather your home sofa or pocket wallet is made of. Moreover, not everyone can determine the authenticity of leather on typical products. And the point is not even that it is very difficult and can only be seen by a professional. The thing is that no one considers it necessary to know such subtleties. The information presented below will help expand your horizons for those who are not involved in leather, its production and distribution. Agree, it is unlikely that your phrase “what a delicate measure your chevro has” will be perceived with closed mouth. Who will be flattered by this - read on.
There are several dozen classifications of natural leather - by type of tanning, by processing method, by purpose, by configuration. Greenpeace fans forgive us, but you need to know what your boots are made of. Therefore, first of all, let’s focus on the classification of leather by type of raw material. So, currently they donate their skins for human needs:

This includes cows, bulls and buffaloes. Let's consider the main types of leather obtained from the skins of these animals. First of all, genuine calf leather is considered the most popular and best in terms of price-quality ratio in our century. It is elastic, soft, durable and looks very aesthetically pleasing. Her excellent physical properties allow you to use it for almost any product - business card holders or purses made of genuine leather, furniture, shoes and clothing. In turn, calf leather is classified according to the age of the animal used.

Slimy- This is the skin of an unborn calf with medium thickness (1 - 1.4 mm), used for making shoe uppers.

Opoek– skin of calves under 6 months of age that are breastfed. Its thickness is from 0.5 to 1.4 mm. It is she who is of the highest quality and most beautiful. And that is why it is highly valued. If, in addition to milk, the animal’s diet included water, the quality of the resulting material will be significantly worse.

Outgrowth- the skin of a calf that has not yet reached one year of age, but is already eating plant foods. Now and in the future, it is worth paying attention to the fact that the properties of leather and its value become lower the older the individual that is used for raw materials. The outgrowth is coarser and thicker.

Half-skin– type of leather obtained from calves adolescence(up to 1.5 years). Such material is already from 1 to 3 mm thick, the measure (surface relief) is much coarser than the mold.

Yalovka– leather of adult cows and bulls. It is already subject to sawing (doubling) due to its considerable thickness. This material has visible defects, usually obtained during the life of the animal. Therefore, an artificial measure is often applied to it. This type of genuine leather, unlike the above, is used to make unlined shoes.

Bychina- the thickest leather of all produced from the hides of cattle. It is made from castrated bulls and is used primarily for making saddles and harnesses. Sometimes belts are made from bull meat.

Buffalo- used extremely rarely, but the quality is appreciated. Buffalo leather is especially beautiful. But due to the indecently small number of these animals in Russia, having a product made from them is extremely expensive.

Sheep and goat skins are used slightly less frequently in the leather industry than calf skins. In the world they are the third most widely used (after veal and horse). They are not inferior to the skins described above in quality, and sometimes even give a head start in beauty. Goatskin has such an important quality as water resistance. At the same time, it is elastic, durable and beautiful. The skin of a domestic goat is beautiful and valuable. Unlike its wild friend (roe deer, musk deer), the domestic goat rarely injures itself in mating games and is less susceptible to insect bites.

Kid- owes its name to the French, is made from the skins of kids younger than 6 months. Dense, good-textured natural leather, the distinctive feature of which is a unique pattern on the surface, usually in the form of small wrinkles. This leather is also highly valued, but this does not affect the breadth of its distribution. It is used for the manufacture of dress shoes, clothing, haberdashery such as leather key rings or credit holders, and upholstery of luxury furniture.

Kozlina– goatskin leather, older than 6 months. Quality is valued less than chevro quality. The factor of the animal’s age also works here.

Sheep skins are used to make two types of leather - sheepskin– skins of adult individuals (as a rule, they are used in fur products), And chevrette– from the skins of young animals (outwardly similar to chevro, but the physical properties are slightly worse)

Horse leathers have very good strength and are large in area. They are rarely used, but this is due more to the poorly developed horse breeding in Russia than to the poor characteristics of the raw materials.

Foal– a type of genuine leather obtained from the skins of dairy foals. Like all skins of baby animals, it is not yet “wise from experience”, therefore it is the best of its kind. Found application in the production of exclusive products.

Foal– leather from the skins of foals that have already chewed grass. This, of course, is not in the best possible way affected the quality of their skin, so the price of such material is justifiably lower.

This is the skin that most often remains “behind the scenes”. This is understandable - porous, smelly, absolutely unpresentable - such leather is used as a lining material. Pigskin quickly allows moisture to pass through, tears and becomes deformed. In a word, the meat of these animals is much more famous.

Deer also “donate” their skin for the benefit of human household items and clothing. This leather makes a very big contribution to the life of the peoples of the North. It is they who prove from year to year that reindeer skin is the warmest. In addition to clothing and gloves, souvenirs are currently made from reindeer skins - document wallets, coin holders or pocket key holders. Deer skins are the main raw material for making suede.

This category includes not only animals, but also fish, birds and reptiles - for every taste and budget. In our age, this is more a tribute to fashion than an urgent necessity. Currently, leather from snakes, large reptiles, crocodiles, ostriches, and kangaroos is at the height of fashion. The production of leather from fish skins is considered very promising. On this moment Few people do this, but in vain. The leather turns out to be very interesting, with competitive quality. Needless to say, this raw material is now considered a production waste. If the thickness of your wallet allows, you can now flaunt in shoes made of shark skin, or buy a purse made of stingray skin. This is another extremely expensive leather, but incredibly beautiful. It contains silicon pieces that make it nicely rough and very durable.
These are, perhaps, all the animals that we modern people, we leave without skins to satisfy our daily needs. It's no secret that if you simply remove the skin from an animal, it will not even remotely resemble what we are accustomed to consider natural leather. It's all about the serious processing that this material simply needs. Based on the method of this processing, the following classification has been compiled.

Types of genuine leather by processing method

Smooth skin. This leather has a natural, natural pattern on the surface. It is processed very weakly, sometimes almost not processed at all. The best skins are suitable for such processing, on which “not even a fly sat.” The cost of such leather is proportional to its quality. Buyers of the most expensive clothing and shoe boutiques become “carriers” of such leathers.

Nappa. A type of leather obtained from the hides of cattle, it is significantly processed with resin and dyes. It has a smooth surface and is not afraid of dirt, which is why it is widely used in shoe production.

Laika. It is very easy to imagine this skin, remembering leather gloves. It’s nice to even just touch it - it’s soft, elastic, pleasant to the touch. Made from goat and sheep skins. The skin of these animals itself is quite soft. But, in addition, when processing the material, softening agents are used - flour and egg yolks.

patent leather. The appearance needs no introduction, and many are familiar with the quality. The leather is smooth, looks very neat and expensive. The varnishing effect is achieved by applying a layer of synthetic varnish. This type of treatment does not allow the skin to breathe at all. But in this regard, it is rare that a girl will refuse to wear patent leather shoes.

Embossed leather. This skin can disguise itself as anyone. Veal under crocodile, goat under fish, etc. Any pattern is applied to the surface of the leather by embossing, sometimes to give the leather a completely different look, imitation of another material, sometimes to disguise defects. The cost of such leather is much more affordable than the one presented above.

Leather with polyurethane treatment. It can also amaze the imagination with its appearance and variety of patterns. It is heavily processed, but not to change the appearance, but to improve the quality. Such leather breathes, but does not allow moisture to pass through. This quality captivates shoe manufacturers.

Suede. Leather with a very soft, fleecy, velvety surface. It is made from the skins of almost any animal, but classic suede owes its existence to deer and elk. To give this unique quality, the leather is treated with animal fat. Real expensive suede cannot be sanded. Despite the fact that suede allows air and water to pass through, it is widely used in the production of shoes, clothing, and accessories.

Nubuck– the material looks and feels very similar to suede. The difference lies in processing and quality. Nubuck has a very weak pile on the surface; unlike suede, it is slightly sanded with an abrasive material (most often sand). This makes the quality worse - a nubuck product requires very careful care. Nubuck products are especially susceptible to damage in the first month. It instantly absorbs dirt and water and is subject to color changes. Nubuck has found its application in the production of shoe uppers, clothing, haberdashery such as a thick wallet for men or a condo holder, and furniture. Nubuck is sometimes impregnated with fat. This improves its resistance to destructive factors, but it is no longer as velvety to the touch. This material is called nubuck-oil.

Velours. The manufacturing method is similar to suede and nubuck; it is produced by chrome tanning. The surfaces are sanded, but unlike nubuck, both surfaces can be sanded - the front and back (measure and core). The scope of application is the same as that of nubuck. In appearance, velor is often confused with suede. In fact, the quality of velor is several times lower. A product made of velor loses its appearance quite quickly - velor does not tolerate water at all. Such a product, of course, costs much less. The main skins for making this type of leather are opoek, outgrowth, chevro, chevret. Sometimes even pig skin is used in production.

Morocco. This type of leather has sunk into oblivion, unfortunately. And unfortunately, because morocco is very durable and beautiful. Our ancestors taught it through sumac tanning from goat skin. Sumac, a plant spice, was used in production. Currently, production can be resurrected, but it will be very expensive. Morocco was famous for its bright colors; in addition, products made from it were often decorated with precious stones.

Parchment. Despite the fact that this species appeared a very long time ago and the method of obtaining it came from our very distant ancestors, it is still successfully used for the manufacture of specific goods - musical instruments, jewelry, industrial products.

Aniline and semi-aniline leather. It owes its name to aniline dyes - several decades ago they used to dye leather. At the moment, this type of processing is considered unsafe, so it has been replaced with more environmentally friendly ones. But the name is still used today. Processing method - minimal impact on the measure - preservation of the natural pattern. This leather is soft and high quality.

Shagreen. Currently it is obtained only from shark skin, although in the past it was made from certain parts of horse hides. Tanning is not used in the shagreen production process. Shagreen is used in industrial products.

Shora. The name of this type of genuine leather speaks about its purpose - shora is prepared for saddlery products by fat tanning.

Split. This leather with a self-explanatory name clearly screams that it is obtained by sawing thick leather into several layers. As a rule, the upper split is used for the production of the upper layer of shoes, and the lower ones are used for the production of velor. If the surface of the split wood is treated with polymer, it can be perfectly forged smooth skin. Then you can make an excellent cardholder or any other handmade leather product from it.

Pressed leather. For economical producers, those who advocate waste-free production. Small crumbs, fibers and pieces are combined with polymers and pressed, resulting in a kind of cheap analogue of leather.

So, in general, we have sorted out the complex professional terminology and classification. Like to everyone who read to the end and didn’t break their heads. You can also add a classification of leather by purpose - shoe, haberdashery, and so on. But this goes without saying. Perhaps now your knowledge about skin is much higher than the knowledge of your environment. Bingo!