9 Questions About Buffalo Leather Answered

1. WHAT IS BUFFALO LEATHER MADE OF?

Buffalo leather also called English Saddle Leather, is made by tanning the hides of the 74 species of domestic buffalo. It is domesticated in India and other parts of the world and is used to pull the ploughs and carts in India. In the present day, there is a population of 194 million domesticated buffalo globally, out of which 97% are reared in Asia. The reason behind the huge demand of buffaloes is also because it gives more milk than cows. When their working life comes to an end, their hides are tanned to produce buffalo leather. The speedy method of tanning is chrome tanning which can be carried out in a couple of days. This method uses chemicals. But most buffalo leather is processed by an old school technique called vegetable tanning. This method uses organic vegetable-based compounds such as oils, leaves and barks. Buffalo leather is again divided into different types- Buffalo Hunter Leather, Water Buffalo Leather, Genuine Buffalo Leather, Italian Buffalo Leather, Buffalo Embossed Leather, Top Grain Buffalo Leather, Buffalo Mix Leather, pull up Buffalo Leather, Full Grain Buffalo Leather. It comes under various textures and colors.

2. IS BUFFALO LEATHER WATERPROOF?

Buffalo leather is often not waterproof because most of the time it is processed by vegetable tanning, but as we know that Leather is a porous material by nature and the capacity to which it can resist water penetration depends on the process of how it has been treated with waxes and oils. The thickness of Buffalo leather plays an important role by making it water resistant than most of the leathers. Though you can waterproof your buffalo leather in many ways. There are a number of commercial waxes and sprays available in the market and can be used to waterproof buffalo leather. There is also a famous traditional waterproofing technique known as beeswax. Saddle Soap method is also very popular but is not applicable for car leather or furniture as it has a tendency of blocking the pores.

3. HOW TO CLEAN BUFFALO LEATHER SOFA?

First you need to stop building up dirt on your leather sofa by taking care of it properly, wiping it each week with a soft clean cloth. Try removing dirt from the crevices with the help of the soft brush attachment of a vacuum cleaner. You can also consider cleaning your sofa with a damp cloth and cleaning solution once a month. Afterwards, use a clean towel and dry your sofa and don’t forget to apply conditioner. There are also a number of general-purpose leather cleaners available on market which you can get online for your sofa. Avoid using products that contain silicones or solvents. Regular light maintenance will always make sure that your sofa does not require a regular vacuum.

4. IS BUFFALO LEATHER EXPENSIVE?

Even though buffaloes are larger in size, the hides obtained are smaller in area as they are not stretched. It can be slightly expensive but again it depends, if you buy larger quantities generally the price is comparable. Just like any other genuine leather, it can be a little expensive, but it is worth paying for a genuine leather.

5. IS BUFFALO LEATHER GOOD FOR SHOES?

Buffalo leather is thicker and has an average of more percentage textile strength , so a pair of genuine buffalo leather boots can last for decades. The larger pores and widely spaced fibers give greater breathability and comfort. So definitely buffalo leather is good for shoes but everything depends on the care and usage provided by the wearer. Apart from wearing it to work, if you start wearing it on hiking trips, they will get wet and hence you will not get the same durability as someone who only wears the boots to work.

6. HOW THICK IS BISON HIDE?

The buffalo’s thick epidermal layer is nearly 2½ to 3 times thicker than cow hide. It is generally very popular in the market for its thickness as it provides good protection, comfort and durability. It is soft and flexible yet very strong. Buffalos are not stretched during the tanning process and therefore they are thicker and a lot more resistant to tearing than other leathers. Some of the strongest leather that one can buy is Full grain buffalo leather.

7. IS BISON LEATHER BETTER THAN COWHIDE?

Cowhide leather is one of the most common types of leather that is widely used in the fashion industry for manufacturing men’s and women’s leather clothing. All the cows in this world are unique in some way or the other, be it their patterns or colors. This gives a unique character and appeal to the premium leather apparel. To get different finishes for the final product, cowhide can be processed and dyed. Buffalo hides on the other hand are so important to the industry because it is 2 to 3 times thicker than cowhide and hence are used in making products that demand more durability and strength such as biker jackets, gloves and shoes and designer leather pants.

8. HOW TOUGH IS BISON LEATHER?

As discussed earlier, buffalo leather is 2 to 3 times thicker than cowhide and hence very practical and appreciated in the fashion industry and daily life because it is tough by nature yet soft and flexible. Full grain buffalo leather is beautiful in appearance, tough and flexible .

9. WHAT PRODUCTS ARE MADE OF BISON OR BUFFALO LEATHER?

Buffalo leather comes in a range of colors and finishes that is characterized by rich, deep tones which give it a striking appearance. With proper care it can last a lifetime and hence widely used. It is often used in making travel bags, backpacks, satchels, wallets and purses, belts, handbags. It is also used in making home decor and lifestyle products such as cushions and rugs, slippers, aprons, valet trays, artist rolls, knife rolls, hairdressers’ bags, tool rolls, etc. Buffalo leather therefore is in great demand and is one of the most practical leathers to date when it comes to daily use.

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