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Showing posts from June, 2021

How Patchwork and Bonded Leather Jackets Are Made and Why They Are Junk

  I'm often asked about patchwork and bonded leather jackets. Let me explain what those words mean and how they are made. Patchwork leather can also be called bonded leather, although it is put together a bit differently. Rock design, Italian brick work and a few other fancy names are used for it too. When leather is cut to make a jacket, purse or any other item, small pieces of left-over leather are made. At some point someone decided that instead of throwing it away they would try to put it together and make a big sheet of it so they can use it for more products. The way they smash it together is done in two ways. In one, the pieces are sewn together, with some glue also used. Then they usually coat it with stuff to give it an even, smooth feel and try to waterproof all those needle holes. The other way is called bonded leather. In this way, the pieces of leather are fed into a machine that heats them and melts some plastic type of stuff on them. The heat and chemicals used ...

Types of Leather Used to Make Biker Apparel

  COWHIDE: Cowhide is the natural product of the food industry from cattle. It ensures that less of an animal is wasted post-slaughter. Cowhide is one of the toughest types of hides. It is used to make motorcycle leather jackets, leather vests, leather chaps and motorcycle tool bags. Cowhide will give you protection from weather elements. It will also help to prevent some skin abrasion in case of an accident. BUFFALO HIDE: Buffalo hide is used for a wide variety of products. Buffalo leather "grain" is more pronounced than cowhide. It is a natural material that breathes, a lot like our skin. When cowhide and buffalo hide are split to the same thickness and they have been processed and tanned the same way, there is no difference in strength and durability. Buffalo hide is also used for motorcycle leather apparel and accessories. If you are getting a leather motorcycle jacket and want the toughest type of hide, both will give you equal protection. Some say that buffalo leather i...

What Makes A Good Leather Conditioner?

  Here's the deal: The primary goal of a leather conditioner is to replace lost moisture. To understand the need for leather conditioning requires a little background. In the tanning process leather is infused with natural oils that reduce friction within the leather fiber bundles. This, in combination with milling (like massaging) the leather establishes a supple, soft leather. At the point of manufacture, these oils equal to about 25% of the total mass of leather. Here's the rub: The oils are volatile. This means they evaporate. The rate of evaporation depends on variables like heat and humidity. In warm, dry regions like the desert southwest of the United States, leather will lose its moisture content much more rapidly than in the cooler and more humid coastal regions. So with regular conditioning you prolong the life of the leather by maintaining the appropriate moisture content. This all presumes the conditioner has the correct chemical engineering. As professional leather...

Selecting The Right Leather Hides

  Everybody loves the way leather furniture looks and feels, but many do not understand that not all leather is made the same. We will discuss the different types and provide knowledge to ensure that you buy the right type of leather for your living space. There are three different types of leather hides: protected, semi-aniline and aniline. Each of these leathers are all genuine leather and all have advantages and disadvantages. Protected - leather hides that has been dyed, pigmented or painted to ensure color consistency and provide protection against wear. In most cases a protective top coat chemical is applied to achieve even greater protection. This product is durable and made to last for years to come. Durability is the greatest advantage when selecting a protected leather. Use this type of leather on furniture that is located in high traffic areas as it will not scratch and will age very well. Children are very rough on things and if you have a family with kids this should b...

3 Things To Know Before Buying A Leather Briefcase

  Whether you finally landed that big promotion or you are soon to graduate from a university and take on the world, finding the perfect leather briefcase is essential. Stepping off the metro with a fine leather briefcase in hand seems to radiate maturity, trust and devotion; it says, "I take my work seriously." Leather briefcases are the tried and true standard for carrying and protecting vital documents, electronics, and those pesky pens that always manage to get lost in your pocket. But how do you find the perfect case that balances style and personality with quality and durability? Following are three critical things to consider as you shop. 1) Not all leather briefcases are created equal The quality of your briefcase should be one of the biggest factors in your decision to buy. You are in it for the long haul, so do not settle for something that will break down after only a year of use. The single most important factor that determines the quality of a leather briefcase i...

Good Care and Cleaning for Leather

  Always protect your fine leather furniture from direct sunlight! The ultra violet rays of the sun are your furniture's worst enemy. Whether leather, suede or fabric the sun dries out the upholstered covering and causes it to fade and wear out. You will more than double the life of your upholstery by staying out of the sun. When not possible, UV films on the windows will help. Your leather furniture can last for years simply by wiping the leather with a warm slightly damp cloth once per month. This will prevent dust and body oils from creating a build up. As easy as it sounds, this maintenance will prolong the life of your furniture. This maintenance procedure should NOT be used on suede. Qualified leather cleaning technicians understand that maintenance for your leather is very important. As with any fabric, professional cleaning technicians are able to get the deep soil and allergens out and keep your expensive leather furniture in a healthy and happy condition. As time goes by,...

Cleaning Leather Furniture Will Help to Maintain The Beauty

  Owning leather furniture adds that rich sophisticated look to any room in your home. Nothing can compare to the elegant appearance that you get from owning leather furniture and one thing that stays with you is that smell of brand new leather. Leather furniture purchases signify an increasing proportion of the furniture market every year and probably the most comfortable choice you make in a couch is owning leather. One unusual characteristic is that it adjusts to your body temperature. It will warm to the body in winter and it feels enjoyably cool in summer. A leather couch is much more hard-wearing than a fabric couch making it a great choice for families with kids and pets. As a result it will stand up to rough housing, climbing children and spills. When you make that decision to purchase leather furniture you are making a substantial investment in the furnishings of your home and it only makes sense to learn the right cleaning and care techniques. This article provides a few ...

Choosing the Right Leather For Promotional Gifts

  Vivella PU: PU is a leather look material made from a combination of polyurethane and fibres. We can create PU promotional items in a range of over 60 attractive colours. We also have access to other grains and textures that can be used in conjunction with standard PU or on their own. Relative to PVC, PU is much kinder to the environment as it is free from harmful chlorides and is longer lasting. European sourcing and careful manufacture all help to reduce emissions and make the world a better place. Recycled Leather: In common usage, recycled leather can refer to both 'bonded leather' and true 'recycled leather'. Bonded leather is a mixture of the off cuts and waste leather, that come from the original hides from the factory. While recycled leather is a product made of leather that is has been destined to be re-used. Both forms of leather go through the same process of being shredded and re bonded. Both these forms of recycling leather are considered to make very gre...

A Guide to Different Leather Types and How They Are Created

  Most people do not realize that there are several types of leather. Depending on the type you choose, whether in fabric for crafts or in already finished products, it can have an effect on price, quality, durability and how easy it is to clean. The most common types of leather are full grain, split, corrected grain, suede, bicast and faux. Full grain leather, sometimes referred to as top grain leather, is one of the most popular and expensive leathers. It is also the most natural form. It is created by removing only the hair on the epidermis, the outer layer, of the hide. It may be finished in aniline or semi-aniline form. With aniline finishes, the leather is dipped into a clear dye, which retains the natural effect while coloring it in a uniform fashion. With semi-aniline finished, the leather is given a stain-resistant coating. Split leather is what remains after the top grain is removed. This leather is harder and tends to be less expensive. However, it is also more fragile. ...