Leather Splitting

Hides in their original state are too thick to be used in furniture, so that they are split into different layers.Two main products come out of this operation:

• Top grain leather: is the outer layer of the hide, including the epidermis. This is the most valuable part of the hide, containing all the natural characteristics that make leather such an appealing product, like growth marks and the natural grain itself.

• Split leather: is the inner layer of the hide, which can be finished to resemble a top grain look. Splits are a by-product of top grain, therefore their price is lower, and though because of the fiber structure their physical properties and overall quality are not as good as top grain, splits may be used in furniture sides and outbacks as a way to reduce the furniture cost.

Finishing techniques

Finishing is the last step in the processing of hides into tanned leather, ready to use. Without getting too technical, we could describe it as the application of coatings, oils, and waxes to the surface of the hides, together with the creation of textures by using prints or mechanical means such as drum milling and glazing.
There are several finishing techniques resulting in different product characteristics or families, the main ones are summarized below:

• Full grain - Corrected grain: This depends on whether the epidermis is left intact or partially removed using sandpaper to eliminate natural imperfections.
  While better grades show the natural beauty of the skin, including certain characteristics such as healed scars, wrinkles or grain variation , lower grade hides have to be corrected as explained above, with the subsequent application of heavier finishes to reconstitute the look of the skin.

• Aniline - Semi aniline - Pigmented: These distinctions are based on the products used to achieve the final color.
  Aniline: The leather receives its color solely from aniline dyes.
  Transparency, depth and a very natural and appealing hand feel are the main features of aniline leathers. An agreeable degree of color variation is to be expected. Natural marks will be visible as an important part of the real leather look. These products will improve with age, developing a rich patina.
  Semi Aniline: A combination of aniline dyes and light pigments is used to color the hides. The characteristics described above for aniline leathers remain, but not to the same degree, while some level of protection is reached. On the other hand, the added coverage allows the utilization of lower selection hides, therefore cheaper prices are achieved.
  Pigmented: Colored using pigments, which will result in better coverage of natural imperfections. A somewhat less natural look, but with the added value of a lower price due to the possibility of using lower grade hides, and having better resistance to rough wearing conditions. With minimal color variation and fading, pigmented leathers are more resistant to soiling from body oils or liquids.

There are other finishing types related to the three above, including leathers finished with the assistance of oils and waxes which create special looks (pull ups, double tones), as well as different feels to the hand. We should also mention Nubucks, made on top grain hides, aniline dyed and then brushed to create a subtle nap or "suede" effect.

• Natural grain - Printed grain: This is related to how the appearance and structure of the grain is reached.
  We refer as natural grain to that resulting from the real epidermis of the skin being worked into different looks and textures as a consequence of various tannages and the use of mechanical means such as tumbling, flexing, or smoothing during the finishing process. These hides will excel because of their softness and the variability of the texture, resulting from the different fiber structures within each hide, and from hide to hide.
  Printed grains are mostly used on corrected and pigmented leathers, as a way to recreate the natural look of a hide. The result is a more artificial character and even pattern all through the hide, cosmetically hiding most imperfections. Prints can also be used to create fantasy looks or make bovine hides resemble those of other animals such as ostrich, crocodile, reptile, etc.

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