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LEATHER-GOOD VS. BAD
In our previous articles dealing with leather care, we mentioned the difference in leather quality. For example, people often can't understand why an English bridle made in India sells for $35, while a similar bridle made in Germany sells for $200 and up.Granted, labor cost is a factor, but the main reason is the quality of leather used. A good German or English-made bridle will last for years, while its Asian counterpart may break before it's even used.
So, why are some leathers better than others? Mainly for two reasons: the way it was tanned and the quality of the original hide. Tanning leather is as much of an art as it is a science, much like making pickles. A good cook makes good pickles, a poor cook makes bad pickles. The second factor is the quality and condition of the raw hide used in the tanning process. Hides must be properly cared for soon after being removed from the animal or spoilage results. This is especially critical in warm climates, where spoilage and insect damage can start almost immediately. Other factors affecting hide quality are brands,butcher cuts and warble holes (warbles are parasitic grubs that live in the live animal, and leave a small hole in the hide when they exit). All of these will affect the quality of the finished leather.
So, how do you tell good leather from bad? Price is often the best indicator. If a product is much cheaper than its competitors, ask where the leather came from. The best leathers come from Europe with North American leathers being a close second. Leather from Mexico and South America are mostly poor to mediocre, with Asian leather being the worst. You can also examine the leather carefully, to get an indication of its quality. Poor leather often smells bad, having a manure or formaldahyde smell. Good leather should smell good. (Like leather!) Bend the leather sharply, grain (smooth) side up. If it cracks at the grain, it's a sign of poor leather. Good leather has a supple feel, not soft and mushy, or stiff and cardboardy.
Judging leather is not a simple task;even years of experience won't prevent one from making mistakes. The final test is how well the finished product performs under use, and probably the best guarantee the consumer has, is to buy products only from proven, reputable sources who use quality materials and are willing to stand behind their work.
Until next time,
Mike
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