#Universal Life Guide#In the pursuit of quality life, leather goods are favored because of their unique texture and durability. Among the many materials, cowhide has become the preferred material for making all kinds of leather products with its excellent texture, natural texture and good comfort. However, when buying, we often encounter the concept of "first layer of cowhide" and "second layer of cowhide", what is the difference between them?
To understand the concept of the first layer of cowhide and the second layer of cowhide, we need to start with the structure of the cowhide. The skin of an adult cow is made up of several layers, with the outermost layer and the two layers immediately below it being the most important. Top Grain Leather, as the name suggests, is taken from the surface of cowhide, it is the highest quality and most wear-resistant layer of cowhide, with natural pores, texture and delicate feel. After fine processing, the first layer of cowhide retains the original elasticity, breathability and moisture absorption of the leather, and the color is full and the touch is excellent, so it is usually used in the manufacture of high-end leather goods such as leather bags, leather shoes, sofas, etc.
On the other hand, the second layer of Split Leather or Corrected Grain Leather is the second layer after being cut from cowhide, and this layer has no natural grain layer, its texture is slightly rougher than that of the first layer of cowhide, and its flexibility and wear resistance are slightly less. In order to improve its aesthetics and performance, the second layer of cowhide often needs to be modified through frosting, sanding, laminating or spraying during the processing process to simulate the appearance effect similar to the first layer of cowhide, which is also known as "imitation leather". Although the durability and comfort of the second layer of cowhide are not as good as the first layer of cowhide, due to the lower cost, it is widely used in low-end leather products, such as some leather shoes, belts, furniture decoration, etc.
Then, in terms of practical application and purchase choice, the main differences between the first layer of cowhide and the second layer of cowhide can be summarized as follows:
- Quality and durability: The first layer of cowhide retains the original fiber structure of the leather, which is resistant to wear and tear and has a long service life, while the second layer of cowhide is strengthened by treatment, but the overall strength and durability are not as good as that of the first layer of cowhide.
- Texture and feel: the first layer of cowhide has a clear natural texture and pores, soft and smooth to the touch, with the growth of time, it will also form charming traces of time, while the second layer of cowhide because it is an artificially modified surface, the touch may be harder, and the texture is not as real and natural as the first layer of cowhide.
- Breathability and comfort: The first layer of cowhide retains its natural pores, which makes it more breathable and comfortable, and is especially suitable for making leather goods that are in direct contact with the skin, while the second layer of cowhide has relatively low air permeability.
- Price and cost performance: Due to the different quality of raw materials and processing technology, the price of the first layer of cowhide is usually higher than that of the second layer of cowhide, but its excellent quality and long service life make it have certain advantages in terms of cost performance.
Therefore, the first layer of cowhide and the second layer of cowhide have their own characteristics, consumers should make appropriate choices according to their own budget, needs and expectations for the quality of leather goods when purchasing leather products. Understanding the essential difference between the first layer of cowhide and the second layer of cowhide can not only help us better identify the authenticity and quality of leather goods, but also allow us to discern pearls in a dazzling array of goods and buy satisfactory leather goods.