What is grained leather? Explanation of processing methods, care methods, and benefits of grained leather products
The uneven wrinkles on the surface that are often seen on leather products are called "grain", and leather that has been subjected to this grain processing is called grain leather.
Grained leather is characterized by its unique patterns and textures that give it the unique look of leather products, but what kind of processing method is used to create it?
In this article, we will explain in detail how to process grain, the appeal of grained leather products, and how to care for them.
Grain is a wrinkle pattern seen on the surface of leather
As can be seen from the kanji for "wrinkle", shibo refers to the wrinkle pattern seen on the surface of leather.
It is characterized by a finely crepe-like irregular pattern, and the texture of the leather gives it a three-dimensional bulge.
Also, the uneven patterns seen on ostrich leather are sometimes called grains.
Graining is a pattern that is not often seen on materials other than leather, so it is popular as an element that allows you to enjoy the unique look of leather.
How to process grain
Grain is created through processing, and there are two processing methods: "blank punching" and "shrink processing."
We will explain the characteristics of each processing method.
Blank typing
Dry beating is a processing method in which the leather is rotated in a large drum barrel, slowly loosening it and creating a natural grain.
The leather is pounded repeatedly in a drum barrel, creating a wrinkled pattern.
It may be easier to understand this by imagining how clothes naturally wrinkle when washed in a washing machine.
After punching, the entire leather is thoroughly loosened, and has a moderate amount of softness and a grain with a natural texture.
However, dry punching is a processing method that changes the finish of the leather depending on the length of working time.
Shrink processing
Shrink processing is a processing method that uses chemicals to wrinkle the leather.
A chemical called a shrinking agent is used to shrink the entire leather.
Shrink-processed leather differs from blank-stamped leather in that the grain size is almost uniform, giving it a uniform appearance.
The texture of the grain is small and fine, so even those who are reluctant to use large grains can enjoy the texture of the grain.
The material used in BONAVENTURA products is shrink leather produced through shrink processing.
It is characterized by its chewy, fluffy and soft texture, and you can enjoy the high-quality texture that you will want to touch forever.
Please see the page below for the shrink leather used by BONAVENTURA.
Points for caring for grained leather products
When polishing grained leather, care creams tend to get into the unevenness of the grain, so a brush is more suitable than a cloth when polishing the surface.
In particular, creams containing wax ingredients may leave a white residue, so be sure to brush carefully to blend them in.
Also, deeply wrinkled grained leather products tend to accumulate dust, so it is important to brush them frequently to prevent dust from accumulating.
We recommend a horsehair brush, which has high density bristles and moderate elasticity, and can be used for a variety of care such as removing dust and blending cream.
For more information on how to care for leather products, please see the page below.
The size of the grain varies depending on the fiber density and location
The grain size also changes depending on the fiber density.
Basically, if the fiber density is low and the texture is coarse, the grain will be large, and conversely, if the fiber density is high and the texture is fine, the grain will be fine and the grain will be even.
Also, the size of the grain varies depending on the body part of the leather used, so let's take a look at the characteristics of the grain in each part.
Neck and shoulders: large and deep grain
The leather from the neck to the shoulders is called the shoulder, and the fibers are coarse.
As a result, neck and shoulder leather is prone to large, deep wrinkles.
Back and waist: Finely grained grain
The leather from the back to the waist is called batt, and is characterized by its high fiber density and fine texture.
The grain will also be small, fine, and evenly grained.
Abdomen and legs: three-dimensional grain in various sizes
The part of the leather from the belly to the legs is called the belly, and it has the lowest fiber density and rough texture of all parts.
The grain size also varies, giving it a three-dimensional effect. It can be said that this is an area where unique wrinkle patterns with low uniformity are likely to form.
Advantages of grained leather products
Grained leather products have various benefits in addition to enjoying the texture of wrinkles and unevenness that cannot be found with other materials.
Here, let's take a look at the appeal of grained leather products.
Highly durable
High durability is one of the benefits of grained leather products.
Grained leather products are characterized by higher durability than non-textured leather products.
Grained leather is made by shrinking the surface of the leather to create fine wrinkles.
This processing method results in higher density and durability compared to unwrinkled leather for the same area.
Scratches are less noticeable
Grained leather products have fine wrinkle patterns, so even small scratches are less noticeable.
It is a leather product that can be used for a long time because it is durable and scratches are less noticeable.
The more you use it, the more it tastes.
An advantage of grained leather is that the more you use it, the more its flavor develops.
New grained leather has an uneven texture due to the wrinkles on the surface.
As you continue to use the product, these wrinkles will smooth out and the product will feel more comfortable in your hand.
The longer you use it, the more you will enjoy growing the leather as not only the appearance but also the texture will change over time.
No two are the same
An advantage of grained leather products is that no two are the same.
Even if the processing method used to make grained leather is the same, each product will have a slightly different finish.
As mentioned above, the size and depth of the grain changes depending on the part of the leather.
Even slight differences in the shape and size of the wrinkle pattern can change the look, so no two products are exactly the same.
It is also recommended for those who value the individuality of leather products and the expression unique to grained leather, and who want to have their own item.
BONAVENTURA recommended shrink leather products
For those looking for leather products that can be used for a long time, we recommend BONAVENTURA's shrink leather products, which are made from high-quality genuine leather from a prestigious tanner with a history of over 150 years.
Here, we will introduce three particularly recommended items among BONAVENTURA's shrink leather products.
Emma Bag Series
BONAVENTURA's Emma Bag Series is one of BONAVENTURA's signature products, a modern rebirth of a beautiful classic bag.
The beautiful silhouette created by outstanding craftsmanship and the highest quality shrink leather create a classy and elegant impression.
Long zip wallet shrink leather
BONAVENTURA's long zip wallet made of shrink leather is a round zip type long wallet with a wide gusset and large storage space.
The card slot is made of a combination of shrink leather and smooth leather, giving it an elegant and sophisticated design.
iPhone case
BONAVENTURA iPhone cases are carefully designed using premium leather made by world-famous German tanner Perlinger.
Because this product is used every day, you can feel the high quality of the leather every time you touch it.
We also offer a customization service that allows you to create your own original case, such as engraving initials or anniversaries, or swapping the left and right designs for left-handed use.
Check the grain pattern and texture to choose your favorite leather item
Grained leather not only enjoys its expressive appearance, but also has an attractive texture and smoothness when you touch it.
If you use grained leather products for everyday items such as bags or leather accessories, you can enjoy the texture and change over time even with a simple design.
When choosing leather items, we recommend paying attention to the grain and texture.
For those looking for grained leather products that can be used for a long time, we recommend BONAVENTURA items, which are made from high-quality genuine leather from a prestigious tanner with a history of over 150 years.
We have a wide selection of shrink leather accessories that feature sophisticated designs and a rich variety of colors.
How about searching for your favorite piece from the official BONAVENTURA website?
