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Leather is a material created through the tanning of hides, pelts and skins of animals, primarily cows. Leather is a very important clothing material, and its other uses are legion. Together with wood, leather formed the basis of much ancient technology. Leather with the fur still attached is simply called fur.

Forms of leather


There are a number of processes whereby the skin of a dead animal can be formed into a supple, strong material commonly called leather.

  • Vegetable-tanned leather is tanned using tannin (hence the name "tanning") and other ingredients found in vegetable matter, tree bark, and other such sources. It is supple and brown in color, with the exact shade depending on the mix of chemicals and the color of the flesh. Vegetable-tanned leather is not stable in water; it tends to discolor, and if left to soak and then dry it will shrink and become less supple and harder. In hot water, it will shrink drastically and plasticize, becoming rigid and eventually becoming brittle.
  • Alum-tanned leather is tanned using aluminum salts mixed with a variety of binders and protein sources, such as flour, egg yolk, etc. Purists argue that alum-tanned leather is technically "tawed" and not tanned, as the resulting material will rot in water. Very light shades of leather are possible using this process, but the resulting material is not as supple as vegetable-tanned leather.
  • Rawhide is made by scraping the skin thin, soaking it in lime, and then stretching it while it dries. Like alum-tanning, rawhide is not technically "leather", but is usually lumped in with the other forms. Rawhide is stiffer and more brittle than other forms of leather, and is primarily found in uses such as drum heads where it does not need to flex significantly; it is also cut up into cords for use in lacing or stitching, or for making dog toys.
  • Boiled leather is a hide product (vegetable-tanned leather) that has been hardened by being immersed in hot water, or in boiled wax or similar substances. Historically, it was used as armour due to its hardness and light weight, but it has also been used for book binding.
  • Chrome-tanned leather, invented in 1858, is tanned using chromium sulfate and other salts of chromium. It is more supple and pliable than vegetable-tanned leather, and does not discolor or lose shape as drastically in water as vegetable-tanned. More esoteric colors are possible using chrome tanning.
  • Brain-tanned leathers are exceptionaly absorbent of water. They are made by a labor-intensive process which uses emulsified oils (often those of animal brains) and which has not been industralized. They are known for their exceptional softness and their ability to be washed.

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Leather :: Luggage and Bags
Leather :: Clothing
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@kreayshawn i got a mask at home boots and some leather gear
younghawaiislim (keith) Thu, 07 Jan 2010 06:31:40 -0000
@kreayshawn i got a mask at home boots and some leather gear
RT @PorNStArPriNcEy i like that burberry leather =/ 1095 $$? imma sell sum crack for a week to buy that<--lmfaoo ahahaha!
DhatGirlJUICYY (Cheyenne) Thu, 07 Jan 2010 06:31:39 -0000
RT @PorNStArPriNcEy i like that burberry leather =/ 1095 $$? imma sell sum crack for a week to buy that<--lmfaoo ahahaha!
David King & Co Small Distressed Leather Laptop Messenger http://revtwt.com/origin_page.php?link=248956
netbookshopping (Netbooks Reviews) Thu, 07 Jan 2010 06:31:02 -0000
David King & Co Small Distressed Leather Laptop Messenger http://revtwt.com/origin_page.php?link=248956
Arrgggg!!!! One of my new ferrets chewed up my iPod case!!!! That sucka was leather
DevynQuinn (Devyn Quinn) Thu, 07 Jan 2010 06:30:48 -0000
Arrgggg!!!! One of my new ferrets chewed up my iPod case!!!! That sucka was leather
i like that burberry leather =/ 1095 $$? imma sell sum crack for a week to buy that
PorNStArPriNcEy (Princey Prince) Thu, 07 Jan 2010 06:30:03 -0000
i like that burberry leather =/ 1095 $$? imma sell sum crack for a week to buy that
Pierre Cardin News: Children's Watches: Pierre Cardin Ladies White Leather Strap Watch ... http://bit.ly/4v0XHf
MyLeftWrist (Lowell Bascom) Thu, 07 Jan 2010 06:30:01 -0000
Pierre Cardin News: Children's Watches: Pierre Cardin Ladies White Leather Strap Watch ... http://bit.ly/4v0XHf

 
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500 Aura Baggage - Includes luggage, wallets, bags, and briefcases.
Meta Description: [ Largest variety of leather on the web; leather briefcases, purses, backpacks, travel bags, wallets and more leather accessories. Free Shipping. Satisfaction guaranteed ]

Barrot Elegance - Offers Italian designed goods, such as handbags, briefcases, and attache cases.
Meta Description: [ Variety of european style leather briefcases, portfolios and leather handbags.>

Bellatoff - Canadian retailer of handbags, luggage, purses, and duffel bags.
Meta Description: [ Leather Accessories;Your source for Womens handbags, Travel bags, quality leather purses, leather shoulder bags, leather purses, leather handbags, duffel bags, designer handbags, leather briefcases and designer purses ]

Bink - Offering handbags and backpacks in a variety of styles, colors and designs.
Meta Description: [ Bink carries the finest in leather handbags from Frederic T and other fine French designers at great prices. ]

Biondablu - Italian leather handbags, backpacks, purses, tote bags and accessories.
Meta Description: [ Fine imported Italian leather handbags, backpacks, purses, tote bags, wallets and accessories. Shop our central NJ store for exclusive designs and coveted brands Made in Italy and only available at Biondablu ]

Botkier Handbags - Featuring the 'Trigger' bag by Monica Botkier in several colors and styles and featuring hidden pockets, tassels and unique hardware.
Meta Description: [ Originally Monica set out to make the handbag of her dreams for herself. The attention from friends, fashion editors, and models inspired her to share the dream. Unique leathers and hardware make the 'Botkier Trigger Bag' truly different and fun as well as functional. ]

Brahmin Leather Works - Offering Italian leather handbags, purses, and wallets.

Creative Leather Concepts - Sells leather goods, jackets, and accessories.

Elizabeth West Leather - Offers handmade and imported leather goods, gifts, and personalized products. Also offers hand tooling.
Meta Description: [ enter your site description here ]

Erics Den - Offers a folding leather change purse, without a zipper, clasp, or snap.
Meta Description: [ A Folding Leather Change Purse without a zipper, clasp or snap. ]

Executive Hides - Offers purses, jackets, backpacks, breifcases, and travel bags.

First Best Place - Offers totes, handbags and designer bags.

Gemini Gifts - Retailer of backpacks, totes, and accessories

Grant's Leather - Leather as well as horse hair purses, luggage, business items, belts, and accessories.
Meta Description: [ Purses, Briefcases, and Luggage. Hand-tooled and Hair On Items. Order Online ]

Handbagsplus.net - Importer of Australian Kangaroo Leather Products.

Hide All - Retailer of accessories, and leathergoods.
Meta Description: [ Leathergoods, accessories & fashion retailer in London. Brands stocked: Radley, Hidesign, Ollie & Nic, Noa Noa, Orla Kiely. Mail order service. ]

J.P. Ourse and Cie - Leather handbags, wallets, purses, totes, executive items and travel accessories.
Meta Description: [ Quality leather handbags, wallets, purses, backpacks, executive items, travel accessories, unique gifts. Free UPS shipping in US, secure shopping, Finas carteras de cuero, accesorios de todo tipo en finisimo cuero ]

Jacqui's Bags - UK site offering leather bags and accessories.
Meta Description: [ Top quality, affordable, fashionable and practical leather bags and accessories from Jacqui's Bags - including wallets, purses, rucksacks, briefcases and travel goods. ]

Jaunty New York - Handbags and totes in Italian leather. Some nylon designs also available.

JCR Leather, Inc. - Leather handbags, briefcases and accessories.
Meta Description: [ JCR Leather, Inc. has been a purveyor of fine leather handbags, briefcases and accessories for over 15 years. ]

500 Jour de Semaine - Offers leather handbags and PDA Cases
Meta Description: [ Jour de Semaine offers gorgeous yet practical computer bags, PDA or palm cases and other business accessories for stylishly modern professional women. ]

Julia Duren Leathergoods - Leather handbags, wallets and accessories.

Leather Goods Connection - Offers leather handbags, wallets, belts, travel bags and accessories.
Meta Description: [ Custom Made in U.S.A. Harness Leather belts, Ranger Belts, bridle leather belts, plain belts, Designer handbags, leather wallets, backpacks, calfskin wallets, and accessories, custom made in the USA by Leather Goods Connection ]

Leather Tree - Business cases, purses, travel and sports bags, fanny and backpacks, and wallets. Offers items from several designers.
Meta Description: [ Leather Tree offers leather goods including briefcases, executive gifts, leather portfolios, bags, backpacks, duffel bags, and women's briefcases. ]

Leatherbagsonline - Selling leather handbags, organizers and Shanti bags.
Meta Description: [ Leather handbags and discounted designer hand bags ]

Lonsdale Leather Crafts - Indigo Leather features Canadian handmade leather handbags, backpacks, wallets and small leather goods. All fine leather products are fully guaranteed.
Meta Description: [ Canadian handmade leather handbags, backpacks, wallets, fannypacks and small leather goods. All our fine leather products are fully guaranteed ]

Martha Friedson Accessories - Offers ladies cell phone cases, bags, and jewelry available in several styles and colors.
Meta Description: [ Cell phone bags, cell phone cases, accessories ]

Melissa - Designer of leather handbags and accessories.
Meta Description: [ Melissa - designer of bespoke leather handbags and accessories ]

Monde Collection - Offers wallets, handbags, pencil cases, jewelry boxes, and credit card holders.

Natural Reflections - Offers a selection of handbags, wallets, fanny packs, belts, and accessories.
Meta Description: [ Leather Belts, Belt buckles to fit our leather belts, Leather wallets, Leather belt pouches and Leather Handbags made in the USA by Natural Reflections ]

Pioneros - Wallets, purses, hanbags and belts.

R-N Custom Leather Works Ltd. - Specializing in the design and manufacture of custom leather goods.
Meta Description: [ Custom leather products and services such as leather embossing and foil stamping. ]

Stone Mountain Accessories - Offers leather handbags and information to locate retailers.
Meta Description: [ The official site for all Stone Mountain Leather Handbags and Accessories. Free shipping, great sales and clearances, and exclusives ONLY found here. With over 25 years of experience in the handbag and accessory business, Stone Mountain Accessories has the best products at the best prices for th... ]

Sujata NY - New York designer offering handbags in suede and leather and the option for custom designs.
Meta Description: [ One-Stop Source For Hip Hand Bags ]

The Hide Out - Leather accessories for men and women.
Meta Description: [ The Hide Out. Exotic And Unique Leather. ]

Tom Thomas Leather Artisan - Leather purses, belts, and briefcases.

Twist Accessories - Twist offers handmade leather handbags made from premium leather with fashion and artisan details.
Meta Description: [ Twist Accessories offers leather fashion and designer purses and accessories-sale prices, Twist offers fashion leather handbags, purses, pocketbooks, travel bags and small leather goods-many specially priced and on sale now ]

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