What is calf leather? Explains the characteristics, types, and care methods
Cowhide is the most commonly used leather product, and there are various types such as "calf leather", "kipskin", "cowhide", and "steerhide".
Knowing the characteristics of each type of cowhide will make choosing leather items even more fun.
In this article, we will explain the characteristics and care methods of calf leather, which is known as a rare and high-quality leather.
Calf leather is the leather of a calf
Calf leather is a type of cowhide and refers to the leather of a calf less than 6 months old.
Calf means "calf" or "calf skin".
Since only a small amount can be obtained from one animal, it is known as a rare and high-quality leather.
Compared to leather from adult cows, the leather of a newborn calf has relatively few differences and scratches depending on the part of the animal, and is characterized by its thin and soft skin.
The pores are small and fine, giving it a smooth texture.
Note that calf leather and calfskin refer to the same leather.
Characteristics of calf leather
Calf leather is characterized by its delicate and supple leather quality. The fine and smooth leather surface, which is unique to calves, has a smooth feel with inconspicuous pores, and is thin and light, making it popular.
As cows age, their hides become thicker and harder. Compared to cow leather and steer hides made from adult cattle, calf leather is more flexible, but also more susceptible to scratches.
It is vulnerable to dryness and friction, and is prone to cracking. It is also vulnerable to water, so it must be handled with great care.
Types of calf leather
Calf leather can be classified by the age of the calf, the condition of the raw hide (the raw leather material), and the processing method, and some types are highly rare and difficult to obtain.
Here, we will look at the types of calf leather.
Baby calf
Baby calf is said to be the highest quality of calf leather.
Calf leather is made from the skin of calves less than 6 months old, but baby calf leather is made from the skin of even younger calves, less than 3 months old.
It is softer and finer than calf leather, and has a pleasant feel.
Hair calf
Hair calf, like baby calf, is a rare calf leather. Hair means "hair" and is characterized by the fact that it retains the calf's fur.
The fur of calves less than 6 months old is smooth and has an exceptional feel. The hair tips do not prick even when you stroke the surface, and the texture is moist and comfortable against the skin.
Hair calf leather is very valuable because the calfskin that retains this texture is rare and in small quantities.
Glazed calf
Glazed calf leather is calf leather that has been polished. A glaze is applied to the surface of the leather to give it a glossy and shiny finish.
The frictional heat is generated by rubbing the leather with high pressure using a glass roller, giving the leather a slightly burnt texture.
This makes the fine pores uniform, creating a shiny, light-reflecting luster.
Box calf
Box calf is calf leather that has been tanned using a process called chrome tanning.
Chrome tanning is a method of tanning leather using basic chromium sulfate, and compared to vegetable tannin tanning, which uses ingredients contained in plants, it is characterized by its low cost and short time.
Calf leather is delicate and easily scratched, but chrome tanning makes the surface of the leather stronger and gives it a glossy finish.
In addition, among box calf leathers, there is a type called Crispel calf, which is said to be the highest quality calf leather that is chrome tanned.
Crispel calf is manufactured by PERLINGER, a long-established German tannery, and is characterized by a fine pattern on the surface of the leather called "water grain," which resembles water flowing in a river.
Chrome tanning and vegetable tanning are explained in detail in another article, so please refer to here.
How to care for calf leather
Calf leather is very delicate and requires careful handling.
To keep it in good condition for a longer period of time, be sure to perform regular maintenance.
Here we will introduce how to care for calf leather.
1. Remove dirt and dust with a brush
First, use a leather brush to remove any small particles of dirt or dust from the surface of the leather.
If dust and other debris are left on the leather, it will absorb moisture and oils from the leather and cause it to dry out faster.
Calf leather is sensitive to drying, which can cause it to lose its luster and fade, so it is important to brush it regularly to remove any debris.
If you are having trouble choosing a brush, we recommend a horsehair brush made from soft horsehair.
It is ideal for small, shallow scratches, as it is suitable for smoothing the leather surface without damaging it.
If you gently brush it with a horsehair brush, the scratches will become less noticeable in a few minutes.
2. Apply cream
After removing dirt and dust from the surface of the leather, apply cream to add moisture and oil to the leather.
Moisturizing calf leather not only improves the color of the leather, but also makes the leather stronger and lasts longer.
For leather shoes and bags, you can quickly apply cream all over the surface using a brush, but for small items such as wallets and belts, your fingers or a cloth will be sufficient.
However, care must be taken when using cream too frequently, as excessive moisture and oil may seep into the leather and cause mold.
If too much cream is applied, it may oxidize on the surface of the leather and cause cracks.
Excessive care will shorten the lifespan of calf leather, so take care of it moderately.
It is generally said that care should be done about once a month.
3. Blend the applied cream with a brush
After applying the cream to the leather surface, blend it with a brush to bring out the shine.
The cream contains wax, so by polishing with a brush, a thin wax film will be created on the surface of the leather.
This film gives it a beautiful, glossy appearance.
BONAVENTURA's recommended calf leather products
BONAVENTURA is an Italian word that means "happiness."
The name BONAVENTURA expresses our wish that "if you turn everyday items into high-quality ones, you will feel happier. We want to be a presence that delivers that happiness."
Here, we will introduce recommended calf leather products from BONAVENTURA, a brand that wishes such happiness.
Laura bag Shrink Leather
BONAVENTURA's Laura Bag Shrink Leather is a compact one-handle bag featuring an envelope-type flap.
It is finished with luxurious, beautiful shrink leather and glossy smooth leather, so you can enjoy the contrast and feel of the high-quality leather.
Manuel Tote Bag Shrink Leather
BONAVENTURA Manuel Tote Bag Shrink leather is large-capacity and unisex, so it can be used by couples, siblings, and even by a married couple.
This is a luxurious product that combines two types of leather: shrink leather, which features beautiful natural grain, and Noblesse leather, which is a fine-grained, firm embossed leather.
Apple Watch Leather Band
BONAVENTURA's Apple Watch leather bands are available in two types: one made of shrink leather and one made of Noblesse leather.
With a wide range of colors available, everyone can find their favorite.
Take good care of your precious calf leather products and use them for a long time
Calf leather is a high-quality type of cowhide, and is popular for its fine texture and soft feel.
If you take good care of your calf leather products and continue to use them, you can use them for 10 or 20 years.
If you are looking for a calf leather product that you can use for a long time, we recommend BONAVENTURA products, which use high-quality genuine leather from a prestigious, long-established tanner with over 150 years of history.
Why not find your favorite item on the BONAVENTURA official website?
