User Guide

Tanning isn't the only thing that sets leathers apart; thickness and vitality are affected by how a
tanned strip of leather is cut.
There are five primary styles of cut leather:
Full Grain isn't cut like other leather. Apart from the icky stuff pulled out before the tanning
process, this leather is left to behave in much the same way as it did when it was living skin.
You'll see all the inherent scars and patterns you'd have seen on the animal donor, and because
it retains this outermost layer of the skin, where the hide is thickest, it is the sturdiest of all
leather cuts.
Top Grain is the second most durable cut. Animal skins with ugly scars or a tarnished
appearance are most likely to get this treatment. The strongest, most outer layer of the hide is
removed for esthetic reasons. Even then, some hints of the leather's former life remain, and the
cut is altogether very durable, making it a highly competitive choice.
Suede removes the top grain layer, and subsists of the weakest, most porous layer of leather.
While not as durable as most leather, it requires little maintenance and has an uncanny softness
that makes it a popular choice for luxury products. Suede leather is not designed for rough
activities, and should see mostly casual use.
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