| Chatt Leather |
| Chatt handbags are made of grove soft, Napa leather. |
| Leather Grades |
Leather is an extremely popular handbag material. Before purchasing a leather handbag, you should understand the features and benefits of different grades of leather. Quality leather is soft, supple, and much more durable than other fabrics, especially faux (fake) leathers. A natural material, leather breathes, staying cool in summer and warm during winter months. The Napa leather we use for Chatt handbags is made from hides that are subjected to a series of chemical processes which is called tanning. This process softens, beautifies and protects the surface. There are four main grades of leather: bonded, split grain, top grain, and full grain. Bonded leather is made of bits or scraps of leather which are then 'bonded' together into a single piece of leather. After the manufacturing process, bonded leather appears as a single piece but lacks the strength and endurance. Split grain leathers are the next grade up. Manufacturers typically split hide into the outer most and inner most layers. The inner most layer called split grain leather. The result is a single piece of hide, instead of multiple pieces bonded together. Split grain leathers offers more strength and durability than bonded leather. When leather is labeled "genuine leather", this usually means split grain or bonded material. Top grain leathers are made of the outer most layer of the hide, processed or sanded to hide serious imperfections in the leather. Top grain leathers are stronger than split grain leathers because this outer layer of the hide is the most durable. Top grain leathers are manufactured or pressed to look like exotic skins such as alligator or ostrich. Full grain leathers are made of the outer most layer of the hide. Unlike top grain leathers, full grain leathers are not sanded or processed; rather, the beauty of the natural markings are left untouched. You should prefer full grain leathers for their combination of strength, durability and appearance. Depending on the tanning process, full grain leathers can be manufactured to look and perform differently. There are four different types of full grain leathers: belting leather, saddle-type leather, Napa leather, and exotic skins. Belting leather was named from the original application; belting leather was manufactured to drive pulley belts in early factories. Special care in the tanning process makes belting leather one of the stiffest and strongest leathers. In a natural tan color, belting leather develops a patina over time that gives the piece a rich, handsome look. Saddle-type leather describes the group of full grain leathers that fall somewhere between the stiff belting leathers and the soft and supple Napa leathers. Different tanning plants produce leathers with a range of texture and feel. Napa leather is a full grain leather that is soft and supple. Typically dyed, Napa leather offers a refined and sophisticated look. Chatt handbags are handmade of Napa grade leather! Exotic skins come from skins other than cowhide. There is a wide variety of exotic shins used in the leather industry. Some of the most popular types of exotic skins are alligator, ostrich, snake, and eel. |
| Leather Protection |
> We recommend a high-quality water repellent products to help prevent stains and soiling. Avoid products with silicone and wax which break down the natural oils in leather. Apply immediately after purchasing your Chatt handbag, and every two or three months with regular use. Always test any protection and cleaning product on a hidden area of the leather before using. |
| Leather Cleaning |
> Gently blot liquid stains with a clean cloth. > Winter salt stains your leather, wipe with a clean, damp cloth and dry naturally. > Visit a professional leather cleaner for more serious stains. Normal dry cleaning methods will remove essential oils, causing the leather to crack, fade and shrink. A cleaner who specializes in leather care will use a different method to clean and condition the leather. Even this special process may cause slight variations in color, texture, and shape. |
| Leather Care When Wet |
| Should your Chatt leather handbag become wet, allow to dry at room temperature. (Never put leather in the dryer.) Apply a quality leather conditioner. |
Leather Dyeing Treatments |
Full Aniline Dyed Leather Most tanned leather is colored with a penetrating aniline dye that is absorbed by the pores and permeates the surface of the hide, giving color without covering over natural markings. Pure aniline dyed leather has a clear, protective aniline coating, but does not have an applied pigmented surface coating or finish. This is the best quality and most expensive leather. The process is used for hides with few natural markings and do not need correction. Only a small portion of hides are good enough for this treatment, which explains our higher prices. These leathers tend to develop a rich patina with age. Semi-Aniline Dyed Leather Semi-aniline leather is a leather hide with only a small amount of surface coating. They use the same amount of aniline dye as the pure aniline dyed leather. However, we do not recommend excessive use. The pigment can wear off. Nubuck Leather Nubuck leather, like top-grain leather, comes from the top portion of the hide and has a slight nap. They appear similar to suede but are more durable. Nubuck leather is frequently treated with chemicals to resist stains and water. Pigment Dyed Leather Pigment dyed refers to leather whose surface has been coated with finishing materials containing pigments or other opaque materials. The process is much like a painting process and the dye stays close to the surface. With years of use, pigment dyed leathers may require you to touch up scratches that have penetrated deep enough into the leather to reach the natural hide, which would be lighter in color. |
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