Learn More About Leather and Other Materials of Gloves!

             When shopping for new gloves, it's always important to know what you are buying. Leather comes in all types, colors, textures, finishes and more. Becoming an expert on leather can take so much time.
For your shopping convenience and possibly your pure obsession with gloves and leather, we have put together a comprehensive definition guide to most types of leather, the process of creating that leather and other important things to understand what you are buying.

 

Capeskin and Glacé
            The offspring of the hair-sheep of south Africa or south America, capeskin is one of the heaviest, sturdiest and most durable leathers. Usually used for “heavy duty” wear. Only the finest capeskin is used. Glace leather is typically much thinner and can be found in fine dress gloves.


Pigskin
            This is the hide of the hardy wild Peccary Boars that roam Central and South America. Nothing can beat it for a rugged, ready to take it glove. Peccary gloves are a top selling type that exude quality and fine texture.

Suede or Doeskin
            A buffed finish, applied to the flesh side, gives this leather the creamy, smooth “skin you love to touch.” Subtle detailing of the texture of the skin heightens the look of luxury.

English Doeskin
            In white or chamois, this soft baby lambskin has a pampered look.

Lined Leathers
            Any of the sturdy leathers lined with wool, nylon, fleecy textures, or rabbit fur, great gloves for winter weather warmth.

Shearling
            Sheep and Lambskin that is tanned with the wool still on the skin.

Tanning
            This is the process where perishable hides of different kinds are manipulated into leather.

Finish and Finishing
            Leather is typically finished for all products that use them. The finishing includes adding color to the leather and protective coats are applied to hide imperfections in the leather. Protective coating includes lacquering, pigmentation, waxing, buffing, glazing, waterproofing and fireproofing.

Full Grain
            Is made by only removing the hair from the skin and not having been altered in any other way during the tanning process. This leaves the full grain and texture of the original skin.

Grained Leather
            When the original and natural grain has been altered by any method and manipulation.

Leather
            Animal hide or skin that has gone through processing to be preserved and dressed for use in the fashion, textile and home markets.

Embossed Leather
            Leather that has undergone a process of applying a textured, dimensional pattern which is applied by high pressure press machines. This process covers the original grain essentially replacing it.

Metallic Leather
            Leather that has been treated to be given a metallic finish for cosmetic appeal.

Perforated Leather
            Small holes that are die cut into a leather hide in various patterns of different sizes and densities of holes.

Split
            A hide that has been split across the entire skin to be divided into two layers, making the leather thinner. This can be done in several fashions.

Buffing
            Removing grain and imperfections of leather by means of abrasion of the hide.  

Antiqued or Distressed Leather
            Leather that has gone through the process of being weathered and worn, then coated to appear as if it has collected dirt, yet still looks fresh and new.

Lining
            Materials on the inside of a glove to provide extra warmth and comfort.

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