Leather Quality and Properties

[skeen7908]

Can someone explain how white leather is obtained?

Tanned and undyed leather should be a pale blue or tan

But a dye must be translucent so can only make that leather darker (not white)

So how do we get white leather ?

Instead of being dyed, is it instead paint ? Bleach ?

 

[DWFII]

White leather is generally a mineral tan such as alum tannage or chrome tannage (more common). Such leathers tend to be white-ish or grey/bluish grey after tanning rather than the tan colour associated with vegetable tanning..

White leathers are (or used to be) impregnated with further minerals in lieu of an alcohol based dye, to create a pure white base. The grain surface is then 'painted' with a white surface dye / top coat--often acrylic.

Technology may have developed new processes in the last 50+ years that I am not aware of, but I've not seen any examples.

 

[vmss]

Hi guys, I have a blood stain on my leather shoes is there a way to make it disappear? I tried vingar/water with no success.

 

[DapperAndy]

Hi guys, I have a blood stain on my leather shoes is there a way to make it disappear? I tried vingar/water with no success.

I think this question is best suited for the Official Shoe Care Thread

 

[owl06]

Edit wrong forum!

 

[Kochegar]

Excuse me if it is the wrong thread for that but...
Need some advice.
Is it okay for first quality shoes to have this?

Looks like a vein and not a crease. Does it affect durability/ could eventually crack?
Thank you!

 

[DWFII]

It's a crease.

 

[Lumaca]

A question that crossed my mind when doing maintenance: What happens when you use Renovateur on suede?

 

[patrickBOOTH]

Well initially it will darken it and matt down the fibers. But you ever get reno on the thread of the lid on the jar? It gunks up and gets sticky.

The only "conditioner" specifically for suede that I have seen is Leather Doctor's Fat Liquor, but it is part of a multi step process that is cumbersome and probably not worth your time or money.

 

[patrick_b]

Excuse me if it is the wrong thread for that but...
Need some advice.
Is it okay for first quality shoes to have this?

View attachment 1227929

Looks like a vein and not a crease. Does it affect durability/ could eventually crack?
Thank you!

It's a crease.

If only those animals would take a skin care regimen seriously, it would go a long way to keeping our shoes looking their best.

 

[DWFII]

If only those animals would take a skin care regimen seriously, it would go a long way to keeping our shoes looking their best.

Actually the only thing that will prevent creasing is holding your foot completely rigid and immobile...forever.

 

[Munky]

Goodness! This is where everyone has decanted to! Great to see some famous and favourite names again.

I have recently bought some Kudu leather shoes and now I am having some ethical doubts...after the event. There are different accounts of whether or not Kudu are hunted for their leather or that their hides are part of the 'food chain', as it were. The leather is certainly interesting. It is soft but - apparently - very hard wearing. It needs little care and I am hoping it will develop a natural patina, over time. With all good wishes, Munky

 

[patrickBOOTH]

Does anybody know of any difference in quality of modern Haas vs Freudenberg leathers?

 

[j ingevaldsson]

Does anybody know of any difference in quality of modern Haas vs Freudenberg leathers?

Do you mean Haas today vs old German Freudenberg, or Haas today vs today’s Polish Weinheimer/“Freudenberg”? Either way one can say that Haas has loads of different leathers, so would need to be more specific.

 

[bjhofkin]

Which leathers from Haas are you talking about? I'm very familiar with Novonappa (aka "Barenia" but I think that label is proprietary to Hermes) if that's what you're talking about…

Does anybody know of any difference in quality of modern Haas vs Freudenberg leathers?