The best Quality of leather is comparatively soft and warm. You can differentiate easily when you touches one.

To the craftsman, leather is an exciting material in all its Varieties and diversities, from the thin strong leather of the kangaroo to the leather of the crocodile with its raised pattern. The tanner adds further variety through the different tanning processes which can bring out the different possibilities in a leather, from the softness of a glove leather to the firmness of a bridle leather.

The choice of leather and tannage is only the first step in crafting leather, for each individual skin varies in characteristics in its different parts, and each responds in its own way to the tanning process. Each skin is a new experience for the craftsman as he cuts the pieces appropriate to his work, and responds to the look of the leather, how it feels in his hand, and how the knife goes through it. The skill of the craftsman is less in making a quality article from the leather than in making an article that brings out the functionality, quality and beauty of the leather. Utilitarian articles are often finished by use, as leather boots adjust to the foot, or a fine roan leather sweatband in a hat adjusts to the head.

Munish Rathee Is webmaster Currently working on streetleathers.com.