Regarding this issue, we first need to understand that leather will be layered and thinned to varying degrees during processing, and then roughly divided into top layer of leather, second layer of leather and regenerated leather (third layer of leather). Among them, the first layer of "top layer", which includes the epidermis and silver surface layer, is the most durable and has the highest value. It is the real "genuine leather"; the following layers are called split leather. Also known as leather), if the thickness of the cowhide is enough, you can continue to layer it. The following will introduce the characteristics of each layer of skin individually.
Top layer of skin
The first layer of cowhide is the most superficial skin on the cow. It has original skin characteristics on the surface and retains the grain layer of the natural epidermis (including the nipple layer). The epidermis consists of a dense and thin fiber layer and a slightly loose fiber layer that is closely connected with it. Composed of over-layers, it has good elasticity, skin-friendly touch, and excellent breathability.
Because it is processed from high-quality raw material leather with less damage, the leather surface retains its intact natural state, and the coating is thin, which can show the natural pattern beauty of animal skin. It is not only wear-resistant but also has good breathability. It is divided into soft leather, wrinkle leather, front leather, etc. The characteristics are that the grain surface is completely preserved, the pores are clear, small, compact and irregularly arranged, the surface is plump and delicate, elastic and has good breathability. It is a high-grade leather.
The top layer of leather can be divided into full-grain leather (Full Grain) whose surface has not been pressed or painted, and shaved leather (Top Grain) whose surface has been polished, pressed with artificial texture, colored or dyed. It is usually made of natural full-grain leather. Surface leather is of higher value.
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Split skin
Split-layer cowhide is the second layer of cowhide when cowhide is cross-cut into two or even three layers. Split-layer leather is the second layer with looser fibrous tissue. Although the industry still classifies it as "genuine leather", due to the low density of fibrous tissue, It also has poor tensile strength and is often made thicker to increase strength. Because of the lack of native epidermis, the surface is rough and needs to be polished, spray-painted, coated with resin or film before it can be used. The quality and durability are usually worse than the first layer of skin. If the processing technology is not good, the paint will easily peel off. However, for the same piece of cowhide, although the second layer of leather is relatively inferior to the first layer of leather, it does not mean that the second layer of leather is inferior. In fact, some leather bags or handbags need to use thicker split leather in order to achieve the purpose of shaping. However, as long as it is high-quality leather and exquisite craftsmanship, split leather is still the best leather.
Regenerated skin
Recycled cowhide, also known as "synthetic leather", can no longer be classified as "genuine leather" because it is made from cowhide scraps or scraps, crushed, pressed and attached with a plastic film. The genuine leather has been completely lost. The characteristics of leather cannot be compared with real leather in terms of wear resistance, tensile strength and durability. However, since synthetic cowhide still uses cowhide as the main raw material, it is not completely artificial leather, so it is still a type of "cowhide".