FULL ANILINE/SAUVAGE
(A)

The most
attractive and natural leathers which are prized for their soft
natural feel. These are leathers which have been aniline dyed in a vat
process with no colour coating added to the surface. They are the most
expensive leathers to produce because only the very best selection of
hides can be used to produce full aniline leathers. Full aniline dyed
leathers are more susceptible to absorbing liquids because of the
natural porosity of the hide. Because they don’t have a top coating
the leather breathes more easily and is cooler to sit on.

PULL UP ANILINE (A)

This is a type
of aniline leather (described above) that has an extra top treatment
of oil and/or wax effects. These Pull Up leathers are designed to
become “distressed” looking through time and use. Its
properties are similar to full aniline but in places of heavy use, the
oils will be pushed away leaving lighter areas – particularly on the
seating areas. It will also scratch easily. Leather Master has special
products designed to restore the look and feel of Pull Up leathers.

SEMI-ANILINE (A)

Semi-Aniline
dyed leathers have been both dyed through and have a thin finishing
layer on the surface. They offer a combination of the softness and
feel of full aniline leather with the protective benefits of a surface
finish. By dyeing the leather through before the final thin top
coating is applied, a very even colouration is achieved with only a
thin layer of finish. Thus the leather remains softer because it is
not necessary to apply a thick top coating.

PIGMENTED (P)

The leather may
be buffed (corrected) to reduce heavy natural scarring and blemishes
in the hides. It is then coloured with a coating containing opaque
pigments and embossed with a grain pattern to ensure a uniformity of
colour and resistance to fading.

NUBUCK(N): also
called – CHAPS, STONEWASHED OR SUEDE.

These are
actually aniline leathers where the surface has been brushed, and have
created a texture similar to a velvet on leather. Many people confuse
these with suede leather. Suede is the flesh side of a piece of
leather, and nubuck is an effect that is done to the grain side. This
brushing actually breaks the surface and opens up the leather even
more making it incredibly soft. The brushing also makes the leather
even more absorbent than aniline leathers.

BYCAST LEATHERS – (B): also called – COATED LEATHER.

This is a new
development in using split leather. It is produced from the lower
split by first melting a type of glue on the surface, then rolling on
a film of coloured polyurethane.

It normally is produced in darker colours and when stretched it
lightens. It also scratches quite easily. This type of leather is now
coming on to the furniture market but has been used for handbags and
belts for some time.

This product varies in quality. We recommend that any ByCast leather
used is independently tested to minimum British Standards.

It is also important that the temperature of room that the ByCast
leather is kept remains below 30°C.

As the top surface has a high polyurethane finish normal leather
creams should NOT be used.
Leather Master, have developed a Soft Life
Cleaning and Care Kit especially for Bycast leather. The price is the
same as the Maxi Kit.