A Glossary of Leather Terms

Words to know

Antiquing: A method of aging the appearance of a leather hide. Usually done by hand, antiquing is best suited for full-grain hides.

Corrected Grain: Leather in which the grain layer or dermis of the hide has not been altered. The grain layer is responsible for the distinctive appearance of each type of leather.

Hand: An industry term for the feel of leather.

Patina: A natural finish that develops on full grain leather over a period of time through normal use.

Split: A term used to describe the under portion of an animal hide split into two or more thicknesses.

Pure Aniline: An aniline dyed hide that has no finish. Often referred to as naked resistance, pure aniline is the ultimate leather.

Semi Aniline: Leather that has been completely dyed through and has received a nominal finish coating that covers minor surface defects but is not sufficient enough to conceal the natural characteristics of the skin.

Suede: Generally made from the inner side of the hide or skin next to the meat of the animal and buffeted to a smooth finish. Suede may also be split from a thick hide.

Nubuck: A top-grain, aniline-dyed leather that is buffed to create a soft surface. Nubuck is not a true suede, which is made from the less desirable split hide. Especially vulnerable to stains, Nubuck leather is often lightly finished for protection.

Pigmented: Leathers are sometimes sprayed with a pigmented, opaque finish to ensure uniformity of shade and resistance to fading.

Pull-Up: A look characteristic of quality leather. When pulled tight a pull-up leather produces a brilliant burst of color. Pull-ups are full aniline leathers that have had an oil or wax finish applied.

Tanning: A chemical process that converts a raw hide into a stable material which is no longer susceptible to decay.

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