A 5 MINUTE LESSON ON FULL GRAIN LEATHER

In order to buy leather, and most importantly full grain leather, you must first understand its composition.

WHAT IS FULL GRAIN LEATHER?

Full grain leather is a piece of leather that has conserved the entire thickness of its grain (the part of the derma where the hair sprouts from). It presents all the original characteristics of the skin, therefore giving it a very good quality and resistance. Full grain leather is different to split leather, which is the other side of the leather piece (flesh side).

The derma (skin surface) present on full grain leather will make sure there is a complete cohesion in the collagen fibres. This reinforces the full grain leather and shows off the natural grain of the hide. Given the very natural state of this type of leather, some roughness can be visible.

When it comes to crocodile leather, only the full grain side can be used as the point of using this type of leather is to show the pattern of the scales, situated on the outside of the skin. If the flesh side was used, it would simply be a flat piece of leather; the benefit of this hide would be lost.

WHAT CAN BE MADE WITH FULL GRAIN LEATHER?

All finishes can be applied to full grain leather although certain finishes are of course more adapted than others.

Among the types of full grain leathers, different hide qualities can be chosen. First choice would be the best quality, presenting no imperfections: these would usually receive an aniline finish, considered to be the most “noble” on account of its transparency. Any other pieces of full-grain leather may be finished with a more pigmented covering, or even nubuck or velour finishings. When taking a whole batch of hides, the number of hides eligible for full-grain leather can be limited which explains the price difference between these ones and the rest.

Full-grain leather is obtained after the various tanning stages. A leather hide that has not kept the entirety of its grain (because of excessive sanding) cannot be called full grain leather: it is therefore called corrected grain-leather.

ADVANTAGES OF FULL-GRAIN LEATHER

The advantages are its resistance, nobility and naturalness. A product this pure and presenting this much quality is a guarantee of exceptionality and durability.