Why Using Top Quality Leather Matters

Made from treated animal hides, leather is versatile and durable. There are several varieties, but when it comes to quality, not all types of leather are equal. Unless you’re a leatherworker you might not be familiar with the nuances and terminology, but we can help you with that. Take a look at our guide to find out more…

More about skins and hides

Leather can be classified in numerous ways. We can define it by its cut, quality, the grade of the leather, the finish, and whether the material is genuine, faux, or vegan. The manufacturing method plays a part as does the breed of animal the natural hide or skin is sourced from.  

Hides are obtained from larger animals such as cows and buffalos, whereas “skin” refers to skin sourced from smaller animals e.g. calves and lambs. The quality of the hide or skin depends on a few factors including the breed of the animal, the type of climate they inhabit, their level of exercise, and the type of food consumed.

Quality can also be shaped by production processes such as packing, tanning, and finishing.

Leather comprises multiple layers including the grain which is the external surface. The grain is durable enough to withstand all types of weather and features constricted, compact fibers. There’s also the grain and corium junction where the dense external leather layer meets with the laxer fibers of the corium.

The corium is the underlayer and is the thickest of the layers. The corium is made up of collagen fibers, which are known to be looser than grain fibers. Top-quality leather tends to boast corium and grain; below the corium, we have fatty, muscley flesh.

Types of Leather  

There are different types of leather, including full grain, top grain, genuine, split grain, suede and bonded. We’ll give you a rundown of the unique properties of each type and detail how it can be used to manufacture different items.

Full Grain

Full-grain leather is made from the external layer (the grain) of the animal hide and is ideal for furniture, heavy duty bondage gear and footwear. The fibers are tightly packed, so you’re rewarded with top-quality, robust, hard-wearing leather that boasts water resistance too. Animal hair is removed from the grain, but imperfections are not eradicated by sanding or buffing. You might find a few marks or scuffs, which add character and make for a unique garment or object.

Top Grain

Similar to full grain, top grain is robust and considered high quality. However, the top layer is buffed or sanded rather than left intact, which means any scuffs or blemishes are removed. Although buffing and sanding make for a flawless finish the material does lose some durability and may not be as water-resistant as full grain. Top grain leather is generally soft and supple and can be dyed in different colours, which makes it ideal in the manufacture of accessories such as handbags, wallets and of course leather accessories of the spicy kind!

Genuine or Corrected

Genuine leather is also referred to as corrected leather and can be produced from any layer of the hide. The leather is corrected via sanding or buffing to enhance the appearance and can then be dyed any colour and embossed for extra pizzazz.

Genuine leather can be used to make garments and accessories such as belts.

Suede Leather

Full grain and top grain leather are made from external animal hides but suede comes from the underside of the animal hide. The material is pliable and feels soft to the touch with a velvety finish. The suede side of the material is sanded and buffed to ensure the removal of flaws and marks, and this provides the suede with a smooth surface. Suede is used for a range of applications including the manufacture of jackets, BDSM toys such as floggers, and for interior design.

Split Grain Leather

Taken from the underlayers of the top-grain hide (above the flesh), split-grain leather has fibers that are looser and less compact than the fibers you find in full-grain and top-grain leather. This type of leather does not boast the quality associated with full and top grain, but it’s functional and can be dyed and embossed.

Bonded or Reconstituted

This type of leather is best described as a mish-mash. Made up of scraps of leather that are shredded and bonded by latex or polyurethane, bonded leather is not considered quality material and could contain as little as 10% of actual leather. The finished item may resemble leather and can be dyed or embossed to improve the way it looks.

Exploring Finishes

Leathers can also be finished in a variety of ways. Here’s a rundown of some of the finishes to give you an idea of what’s available:

Aniline

High-quality leather is used for an aniline finish. Aniline leather is coloured with soluble dye, allowing the surface of the leather to be seen. So, you’ll still get to see the character of the material, complete with any marks or blemishes. A protective coating is added to prevent wear and tear.

Semi Aniline

Similar to aniline, semi-aniline involves colouring with soluble dyes, but semi-aniline is less pigmented. You will still see the natural surface and can see any blemishes or marks on the material.  

Antique Grain

If you like your leather looking weathered and worn, an antique grain finish is for you. The finish often comprises different tones and patterns to age the material.

Bicast

More affordable than full grain, bicast leather is manufactured using split leather with a layer of vinyl or polyurethane. This gives the leather a shiny appearance.

Brush Coloured

This type of leather boasts unique patterns and colours, due to a brush being used to add the pigment. There will be slight variations in the hue and the way the colour blends.

Degrained

With degrained leather, the layer of grain is removed. This results in a soft and smooth texture, but the material will be less robust and not as water-resistant.

Double face / double sided

As the name suggests, this refers to a material with two sides, for instance, finished leather on one side and wool on the other, or one side dyed in one colour and a different hue.

Embossed

Embossed leather features elevated patterns that protrude slightly. The leather can be molded or pressed for the desired effect and patterns can include intricate designs and lettering.

Embroidered

You’ll find decorative motifs and patterns stitched into embroidered leather. The designs are usually added with a needle and thread and serve to add interest and colour.

Faux Leather vs. Genuine Hand Worked Leather

Synthetic leather is usually made using vinyl or polyurethane and is known by many names including faux leather, PU leather, vegan leather, and vinyl leather. Faux leather resembles real leather and has some positives but is inferior in quality. Faux leather is much cheaper, is easy to care for and clean, and does have a level of durability, but real leather is far superior.

Real leather is robust and will stand the test of time. The material is breathable and pliable and has a quality appearance and texture.

Hand-worked leather involves using tools to work the material manually. The results are impressive and leather can be etched, embossed, or stamped to provide the desired appearance.

Leather for BDSM products

Floggers, whips, paddles, cuffs, gags, collars, and harnesses – there are plenty of goodies out there for those with a passion for BDSM. But it’s important to remember that not all “leather” goods are equal. Sadly, there are lots of mass-produced, low-quality items littering the market.

If you look around, you’ll come across BDSM goods that are being sold as “leather” but don’t smell, feel, or even look as good as the real thing. The description says “leather,” but the items are made from reconstituted and processed materials, with a little leather added. If leather is added these items can still be marketed as genuine, despite not being real leather at all.

The truth is that these poor imposters won’t last, and even worse, there’s a good chance that inferior BDSM goods will break during your play session. No one wants a flawed flogger, a weak whip, or a conked-out collar spoiling their fun!

Thankfully there are some great products out there too. If you want to make sure your BDSM goods are robust and look the part, then you need to invest in products made from high-quality luxury leather. Real leather has a distinct feel and smell, and these leather products boast impressive strength, durability, and suppleness.

If you’re in the market for first-rate leather BDSM goods, you're in the right place here at Mercy Industries. We are premium leather goods manufacturer is located in Queensland, Australia, where we design and hand craft over 400 products.

At Mercy Industries we only use the finest leather hides, sourced primarily from Australian small businesses. The team then cuts, sews, and meticulously handcrafts each product with true care and passion for BDSM.


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