When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
can some one explain to a noob what a nice grainy hide looks like as opposed to a one that doesnt?
I would really appreciate it as in furthering my education.
Paul, if you look at the pictures in this recent thread of a repro jacket it will give you an idea of grain from a newly made jacket. 2nd image is particularly nice.
different hides (horse, goat, cape, cow) have different characteristics that show through on the hide, plus where on the animal it was taken from and how it was processed.
a distinction should be made between grain and wrinkles
what you see in this photo is wrinkles due to wear (with a little grain in it)
what you see here is grain
wrinkles can be developed in a grainless (smooth) hide, but not always. Some hides don't develop wrinkles no matter what. It's got something to do with the way they are tanned.
Grain cannot be developed if it's not there.
the 'best' leather would be one that has grain and would develop wrinkles