The Leather Library

Grades and layers

Which layer of the hide the leather came from, and what the words on a label actually commit to.

• Top-Grain Leather: What It Is, and How It Compares
• Types of Leather: The Full Guide
• Genuine Leather: What the Term Actually Means
• Leather Grades Explained

Finishes and textures

What was done to the surface after tanning, and how to tell a grown grain from a pressed one.

• Nappa Leather: What It Is, and Where the Name Comes From
• Patent Leather: What It Is, and What It Is Not
• Pebbled Leather: What It Is, and Whether It Is Real
• Aniline Leather: What It Is, and How to Tell
• Saffiano Leather: What It Is, and How It Is Made
• Soft Leather: What Makes Leather Soft

Hides and origins

Which animal, which country, and what those names do and do not guarantee.

• Vachetta Leather: What It Is and How It Ages
• Italian Leather: What It Is, and What the Term Guarantees
• Mushroom Leather: What It Is and Where It Actually Stands
• Buffalo Leather: Which Animal, and How It Compares to Cowhide

Craft and process

How a hide becomes leather, how it is put together, and how it changes with use.

• How Leather Is Made
• Leather Patina: What It Is and How It Forms
• The Saddle Stitch: How It Works and Why It Lasts

Care and repair

What helps, what harms, and what cannot be undone.

• How to Repair Scratches in Leather
• Neatsfoot Oil on Leather: What It Does, and What It Does Not
• Leather Conditioner and Oils: What Works, What Harms
• How to Get Oil and Grease Out of Leather

Leather goods

The archetypes, what distinguishes them, and what each one is actually for.

• Attaché Case: What It Is, and How It Differs From a Briefcase
• What Is a Dopp Kit?
• Holdall, Duffel or Duffle: What the Words Mean

Corporate Gifts & Hospitality

• How to Choose Promotional Products: Assess a Leather Sample
• Leather Menu Covers for Restaurants: Choosing Your Design
• Corporate Gift Ideas for Clients: Choosing a Leather Design
• Employee Gift Ideas for Individuals and Teams
• Corporate Gift Ideas: Choosing for the Recipient, Occasion and Budget

Design & Manufacturing

• How to Choose a Leather Bag Manufacturer
• Custom Bag Design: A Practical Brief for Business Use
• How to Choose a Leather Goods Manufacturer