What are Hand-Tooled Leathers?

Leather, a material known for its durability and timeless appeal, has captivated artisans for centuries. Among the various techniques used to transform this versatile material, hand-tooling stands out as an exquisite art form. The meticulous process of hand-tooling leather allows skilled craftsmen to create unique, personalized designs that elevate leather goods to new heights. Today, we will delve into the unexplored world of hand-tooled leather products, exploring the artistry, techniques, and enduring beauty that define this exceptional craft.

Hand-tooling is a labour-intensive technique that involves imprinting or carving intricate designs onto leather surfaces. Skilled artisans use specialized tools, such as swivel knives, bevelers, and stamping tools, to create patterns and textures. The process requires patience, precision, and a deep understanding of the leather’s properties. From floral motifs to geometric patterns, hand-tooling allows craftsmen to breathe life into their creations, making each piece a work of art.

One of the most remarkable aspects of hand-tooled leather products is their ability to be personalized and customized. Whether it’s a handcrafted wallet, a belt, or a journal cover, artisans at WALLETSPLUS can integrate initials, names, or meaningful symbols into your designs.

The unique combination of exquisite hand-tooled craftsmanship and the enduring quality of leather ensures that these products age gracefully, developing a rich patina over time. Hand-tooling enhances the leather’s natural beauty, while the robustness of the material ensures the products withstand daily use and even improve with age. Investing in a hand-tooled leather item means acquiring a durable piece that can be passed down through generations.

As we celebrate the art of hand-tooled leather, let us acknowledge the endowed artisans who continue to keep this ancient craft alive, ensuring that future generations can revel in the eternal attraction of these unique products.

 

WHAT ARE FAKE LEATHERS?

Universities abhor plagiarism.

Brands detest counterfeit copies.

Law agencies despise forged currency.

Even God hates liars and fraudsters!

Why then, do companies promote lies with their false and  misleading “LEATHER” products, when nothing in their products is actual leather?

It’s crazy even to talk about “PU Leather” or “Vegan Leather”. These are just not Leathers. It’s time we call spade a spade. Wrong information and shrill publicity with the aim of toying with consumers’ minds and sensitivities has muddled the idea of sustainability and Eco-friendly products. Let’s get it straight – “PU Leathers” are NO substitute to genuine leathers. They are NOT Biodegradable and harm the environment even more during their production process. So called “Vegan Leathers” on the other hand are NOT as durable or effective as genuine leathers.

New technology, innovations and regulations have helped leather processing and manufacturing immensely, by making it more sustainable and Eco-friendlier. New school of thought and approach with proactive leadership has changed the way leather is today processed and manufactured. Waste Management, Recycle-ability of goods, Monitoring carbon footprint, Eco-friendliness, preserving natural resources and ethical production is the only way forward.

Let us study a bit about faux leather.

Short for polyvinyl chloride, PVC leather, otherwise known as vinyl, is made by combining polyvinyl chloride with stabilisers which help protect the material, plasticisers to soften and lubricants to make the material flexible, this is then applied to a base material which are typically made from polyester, cotton, nylon, or rayon.

Out of the various options for faux leather fabrics, PVC is the most unrealistic in appearance when comparing it to real leather and also much less breathable and prone to cracking.

PVC has been labelled by Greenpeace as the “single most environmentally damaging type of plastic”. It is not biodegradable or degradable. This means that items made from PVC will retain their form for many decades and any breakdown that occurs is simply granulation where the pieces become smaller but do not disappear. PVC also creates dioxins, a group of highly toxic chemical compounds which are harmful to health and remain in the environment causing damage for many years after production. So yeah, please stop buying PVC products. Further, studies have shown that even animal life is unfortunately harmed due to the continual build-up of non-biodegradable material in the world’s ecosystems. These smaller pieces of PVC can be ingested by animals which can lead to blocked airways and other harmful consequences.

Similarly, PU (polyurethane) leather is made by applying or laminating a 100% polyurethane finish to a base material which typically include cotton, polyester, nylon, or rayon. An artificial grain pattern is then applied to the surface using a roller to produce the look of real leather.

Further, synthetic leather is produced with different chemicals and a totally different industrial process to real leather. Bonding together a plastic coating to a fabric backing is the most common way to make faux leather.

Vegan/Faux leather that is made with PVC or PU often has a very strange smell from the chemicals. It’s often described as a ‘fishy’ smell and can often be very hard to get rid of, especially while trying not to ruin the material. PVC can also outgas dangerous toxins that give off this nasty smell.

Vegan leather is also synthetic, it doesn’t form a patina like real leather does when ageing and it is much less breathable as the pores that are printed onto the surface of pleather are artificial.

Faux leather is known as vegan leather because the material used is never from animal skins but although this is a huge benefit for animal activists, the manufacture of synthetic leather is not beneficial to the environment or humans due to the toxins in the plastics used to make them. The manufacture and disposal of PVC-based synthetics let out hazardous dioxins, which can cause developmental and reproductive issues and even cause cancer. The synthetics used in vegan leathers also don’t fully biodegrade, although they can be broken down to a degree, they can also release toxic particles and phthalates, which can affect the health of animals and the environment.

We at WALLETSPLUS are conscious of the need of the hour for the environment. Hence, we religiously abide with our below corporate values.

PRESERVE – Striving to maintain surroundings in its original state.

PROTECT – Safeguarding our environment from harmful wastes and effluents.

PRODUCE – Manufacturing with the spirit of innocence and righteousness.

Misperceptions About Leather Products

We at WALLETSPLUS, have been manufacturing and exporting leather products to some of the most reputed brands and labels world-wide, since the last 24 years.

Although leather has timeless qualities that have kept it around for centuries and made it a product of choice, yet there are many misconceptions about it. Here are a few of them. Let us bust these well-known myths associated with leather products.

Weight of Leather

The most common and major conventional myth about leather products is that it is too heavy to carry and travel with. It actually depends on what kind of hide is employed to make your leather goods. In fact, leather with canvas products from WALLETSPLUS are most sought after for design and durability. Cattle hair-on items are also fashionable, lightweight and trendy.

Durability

When it comes to longevity of say – bags, wallets, or accessories – none can match the lifespan of leather. Nowadays, accessories are also manufactured with materials like PU or faux leather, but the real deal of leather can last for a lifetime even with heavy wear and tear. Leather grows in looks with use and vintage leather gears are actually most sought after by aficionados. To understand better, we suggest a visit to your nearby historic museum and witness olden leather items well preserved.

Environmentally Conscious

All leathers used at WALLETSPLUS are selected with great care keeping in mind our duty and responsibility towards our environment. The leathers used to produce our products come from our Indian milking cows, which have lived a free life in nature, not being confined inside a milk production factory. Once the cows have served their main purpose of producing milk and die a natural death, the leather/skin is then separated, allowing manufacturers like us to buy the beautiful and versatile by-product – a product that would otherwise have been destroyed or ended in landfills.

In conclusion, these cows are not bred for leather purposes, they are in fact a by-product of the Indian milk & food industry; a country where millions consume bovine meat as a daily staple food.

At WALLETSPLUS, our SEDEX & ISO 9001, 45001 certified factories prefer to procure our Leathers from LWG Certified tanneries, use 100% Sustainable Chrome-free Vegetable Tanned Leathers with Recycled Zippers, Recycled Linings, Recycled Canvas & Recycled Packaging Materials.

Cleaning Leather Goods is difficult

There is a deep-rooted misapprehension that cleaning leather accessories is a demanding situation. However, the leather goods are much easier to clean; you just need a piece of cotton cloth and lukewarm water. The process is simple but different from washing other fabrics; you just need to soak a cotton piece into lukewarm water and gently rub the stained area. Also, it is recommended not to use any detergents or any cleansing agents; they might degrade the texture of leather bags, or leather accessories.

Blog March

Buffalo Leather Vs. Cowhide Leather

At Walletsplus we manufacture leather accessories in various kinds of leathers, namely – Cow, Calf, Buff, Lamb, Goat and Sheep. Today, let us discuss the differences between Buffalo Leather and Cowhide Leather.

Buffalo leather and cowhide leather are two of the most popular types of leather used in the fashion and accessories industry. While both types of leather share some similarities, they also have distinct differences that may impact their performance and durability.

Here are some of the key differences between buffalo leather and cowhide leather:

Hide Size & Grain Appearance

Though buffalo are bigger than cows by about half a ton, their hides are smaller because Buffalo hides are not stretched during the tanning process to preserve their wonderful and desirable grain patterning. Buffalo hides grain is also more distinct than cowhide leather grains and gives a finished leather product a more earthy or rustic look. Cowhide leather is smoother and has a more uniform texture and grain pattern.

Strength and Durability

Buffalo leather is generally thicker and stronger than cowhide leather. It is often used to make heavy-duty items like belts, jackets, and boots. Cowhide leather is also very durable, but not as strong as buffalo leather. It is mostly used to manufacture items like wallets, bags, and small leather goods.

Softness

Cowhide leather is generally softer and more pliable than buffalo leather, which can make it more comfortable to carry for premium leather accessories. Buffalo leather, on the other hand, is harder and stiffer and may require more breaking in.

Cost

Buffalo leather is generally more expensive than cowhide leather due to its durability and strength.

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