Why does some leather feel like plastic?

Why does some leather feel like plastic?

Have you ever ordered new leather tack online advertised as genuine leather only to open your package to find shiny, stiff plastic-looking leather? Or, you go shopping for a new headstall or reins only to see see cracks in the leather when even slightly bending it? 

Like all other raw materials out there, there is a huge range in quality when it comes to leather. What I’ve seen more and more is low-quality “genuine” leather being sold for prices usually reserved for mid or high-line products. It’s easy to spend over $100 on a headstall only to have it degrade quickly from wear. I worked in a tack store for years where $200+ bridles were made from cheap, painted leather that would only last a year or two with regular wear. I reached the height of my frustrations when shopping for a new breast collar a few years ago. I looked at hundreds of breast collars in every tack shop and vendor at a large horse show. After days of searching, I couldn’t find anything that was both my style and good quality. I settled for a plain, good quality leather breast collar that I would add my own Swarovski crystal conchos to. Today, big big brands in the horse industry will come out with a unique, desirable design and charge top price for the added details. When I get to a tack shop to see it in person I usually love the design but can’t fathom the price for the quality of leather. 

So, what sets quality leather apart?

While I hate to blame any one source, Indian leather is notoriously low quality while European leather is high quality. This is a bit of a broad generalization. The true measure of quality starts at the source, the cow. This is obviously widely variable since no two animals are the same so let’s proceed to an easier next step, the tannery. The tannery, regardless of its location in the world, will largely impact the final product. There are cheap ways to produce leather in mass quantities and there are slower, quality ways. Each tannery is different in how they tan hides. One common, high-quality tannery is Hermann Oak, which is where I source most of my leather. However, there are many great options and you don’t know until you get a sample and start working with it. The best tannery for you will also depend on your needs, are you making leather wallets out of thin, flexible leather or are you making horse tack out of thick, minimal-stretch leather? All this is determined by how the hide is treated, dyed, oiled, or “tanned” in summary. 

If you are looking for quality items that will last for years, I highly recommend hand-made items. On top of higher quality and attention to details, you have the option to get a unique item, not one that is mass produced by the thousands. Another bonus? You can support a local maker in your community by shopping small. Know that leather makers take pride in their work and wouldn’t put an item out into the world if they didn’t have full confidence in the quality and craftsmanship involve in its creation. Leatherwork, when done right, is an art form that takes unlimited amounts time and money to excel. Everyone has a different budget but cheap and quality do not go hand in hand. As the saying goes, you get what you pay for.