About Leather

---

Did you know? - A sad reality

The term "Genuine Leather" glimmers on countless products, a clever lure dangled before buyers to suggest superior quality and craftsmanship. But here’s the unsettling truth most companies won’t tell you: while "genuine" leather is indeed real, it’s far from the premium material it’s made out to be. In reality, it’s a low-grade leather​

Leather ranks as follows:
Full Grain 
Top Grain 
Split Grain
Genuine 
Bonded 

We only use Full grain and Top grain leathers in our products. 

---

Did You Know? Fascinating Facts About Leather

At Old Country Leather, we’re passionate about crafting high-quality leather goods that stand the test of time. But how much do you really know about this timeless material? Here are some intriguing facts to deepen your appreciation for leather:
​

• Leather Has Ancient Roots
  Did you know that leather has been used by humans for millennia? Archaeological evidence shows that ancient civilizations, like the Egyptians, tanned animal hides to create clothing, footwear, and even shelters. Leather’s durability made it a staple long before modern fabrics existed.

• It’s a Natural Recycler
  Leather is often made from hides that would otherwise go to waste. The tanning process transforms these byproducts of the meat industry into a versatile, long-lasting material. It’s a sustainable choice that’s been perfected over centuries!

​

• No Two Pieces Are Alike
  Every leather hide tells a story. Scars, wrinkles, and grain patterns are unique to each animal, meaning no two leather items are ever identical. That’s part of what makes your Old Country Leather piece truly one-of-a-kind.

​

• Leather "Breathes"
  Unlike synthetic materials, leather is naturally breathable. Its porous structure allows air and moisture to pass through, making it comfortable for items like jackets, shoes, and bags—perfect for all-day wear.

​

• Tanning Is an Art Form
  Did you know there are multiple ways to tan leather? Vegetable tanning uses natural plant extracts and can take weeks, producing a rich, earthy tone. Chrome tanning, on the other hand, is faster and results in softer, more flexible leather. At Old Country Leather, we choose the best methods to suit each product’s purpose.

​

• Leather Gets Better with Age
  Unlike most materials that wear out, high-quality leather develops a unique patina over time. Scratches and scuffs add character, telling the story of your adventures. With proper care, your leather goods can last a lifetime—or longer!

​

• It’s Stronger Than You Think
  Pound for pound, leather is incredibly tough. Full-grain leather, the highest quality type, retains the hide’s natural strength and can withstand years of use. That’s why it’s a favorite for everything from saddles to our handcrafted wallets.

​

• Leather Has a Royal History
  In medieval Europe, leather was so valuable that it was used as currency and reserved for the elite. Kings and knights wore leather armor, while artisans crafted luxurious goods for nobility. Today, we bring that heritage to everyone with Old Country Leather.

Want to explore more? Check over our website and discover the craftsmanship behind every piece. Leather isn’t just a material—it’s a legacy.

---

Scaring

Leather may have different appearances cause by Scars that healed, scars that have not healed, & bug bites that the animal has had from its lifetime. Each of these add character and makes the item even more unique. This is not the case with "Genuine" leather as the top layer has been removed making the look more uniform however lower in strength.

Bug bites, often hard to spot before dying, these round spots usually dye slightly lighter.

Scars that have not healed can be felt with your fingers, since the cut has not healed before the animals hide was processed.

Scars that have healed have a very unique look will dye slightly lighter, really showing no two pieces are a like.

---

Is Leather just from cows?

Leather is made of the skin of an animal by a tanning process. Most often used from cattle, however any animal can produce leather. Other animals used are pigs, goats, sheep, deer, snakes, alligators, ostriches and kangaroos.

We use cow hides and water buffalo hides​

---

Different Tanning processes:

• Vegetable-tanned leather: Is tanned by using vegetable matter, such as tree bark and is skin tone/brown in color,  It is the only form of leather suitable for use in leather carving or stamping. 

 

• Chrome-tanned leather: Uses chromium sulfate and other chromium salts. It is more supple and pliable than vegetable-tanned leather and does not discolor or lose shape as drastically in water as vegetable-tanned. 

 

• Alum-tanned leather is transformed using aluminium salts. Alum-tanned leather is technically not tanned, as tannic acid is not used, and the resulting material reverts to rawhide if soaked in water long enough to remove the alum salts.

 

• Aldehyde-tanned leather: Is tanned using glutaraldehyde or oxazolidine compounds.  Seen in shoes for infants and automobiles.

• Brain tanned leathers are made by a labor-intensive process that uses emulsified oils, often those of animal brains such as deer, cattle, and buffalo. They are known for their exceptional softness.

 

• Chamois tanned leather: Made using marine oils like cod oils that oxidize easily to produce the aldehydes that tan the leather to color it.

 

• Synthetic-tanned leather: Is tanned using aromatic polymers, Novolac or Neradol types.

 

• Rawhide is made by scraping the skin thin, soaking it in lime, and then stretching it while it dries.  For use in lacing or stitching and for making many varieties of dog chews. And other projects that require little flex, as it brittle.