19/06/2026
đź‘ś LEATHER MATTERS
Not all leather is the same.
Different animal hides, tanning methods and finishing techniques create leathers with very different characteristics. Some are soft and supple, some are firm and structured, some develop character with age, and some are designed to resist scratches and wear.
At Insomnia Leather, we choose the leather to suit the purpose of the item being made.
VEGETABLE TANNED LEATHER
Vegetable tanning is one of the oldest methods of tanning leather, using natural tannins derived from plants and tree bark.
Vegetable tanned leather starts firm and develops a rich patina over time. It can be stamped, carved, moulded and dyed, making it a favourite for traditional leathercraft.
Common uses:
• Hand-tooled belts
• Carved wallets
• Journal covers
• Structured bags
• Custom engraved pieces
PULL-UP LEATHER
Pull-up leather contains oils and waxes that move within the leather when it bends or stretches.
This creates lighter and darker areas, giving the leather a beautiful lived-in character. Every scratch, bend and crease becomes part of its story.
Common uses:
• Handbags
• Satchels
• Everyday carry items
• Rustic-style accessories
SAFFIANO LEATHER
Saffiano leather features a distinctive crosshatch texture pressed into the surface and finished with a protective coating.
It is durable, elegant and highly resistant to scratches, making it ideal for everyday use.
Common uses:
• Handbags
• Wallets
• Card holders
• Professional accessories
KANGAROO LEATHER
Kangaroo leather is uniquely Australian and renowned for its exceptional strength-to-weight ratio.
It is surprisingly thin and lightweight while remaining incredibly strong, making it ideal where flexibility and durability are both important.
Common uses:
• Wallet linings
• Earrings and jewellery
• Journal covers
• Lightweight bags and accessories
BUFFALO LEATHER
Buffalo leather is thick, strong and exceptionally durable.
It has a distinctive grain pattern and is well suited to products that need to withstand years of hard use.
Common uses:
• Belts
• Work belts
• Heavy-duty accessories
• Rugged everyday wear
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LEATHER TYPES AND TANNING METHODS?
The animal hide and the tanning method are two different things.
For example, "vegetable tanned" describes how the leather was tanned, not which animal it came from.
A bovine (cowhide) leather may be vegetable tanned, chrome tanned, or combination tanned depending on the desired finish.
Likewise, different finishes such as pull-up, waxed, embossed or textured surfaces can be applied to create very different looks and performance characteristics.
HOW WE CHOOSE LEATHER
For belts, we often use thick vegetable tanned bovine leather (typically 3–4 mm) or durable buffalo leather.
For structured bags, we may choose firmer vegetable tanned or combination tanned leathers.
For softer, more relaxed bags, chrome tanned and pull-up leathers provide flexibility, comfort and beautiful character.
Every leather has strengths and weaknesses. There is no single "best" leather, only the best leather for a particular purpose.
