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Shoe making Suede leather grades

justsayno

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What are the leather qualities to look for in picking out suede upper shoes ?

Is more fuzziness better?

What are the different grades of suede leather?
 

bengal-stripe

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The term "suede" covers all kind of leathers with a matte, napped surface. This can be full-grain leather (reversed), usually (but not solely) either calf or goat, Alternatively it can be the bottom split of a hide (which is grossly inferior).

One of the highest regarded tanneries specializing in suede is Charles F Stead in Leeds, UK

http://www.cfstead.com/index2.htm

Unless you, as an individual, have access to a leather merchant, you won't be able to determine the provenance of the leather used in a particular pair of shoes.
 

justsayno

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Thanks bengal-stripe.

When presented with a pair suede shoes, what are the leather qualities that I, a layman should look for to determine good quality suede leather? Perhaps there are a few rules of thumbs that I can use?
 

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