Leather used for making belts are more durable and are meant to have a sturdier material. Full-grain leather is the most preferred material, but there are a couple of other options out there.
At Nestken Masters, you can buy the best full-grain leather material from our office in Lagos or Aba – at No. 2 Ladipo St, Mushin 102215, Lagos or No. 4 Boundary Street, Off Faulks Rd by Seven Deck, Aba. Abia State, Nigeria – 0803 938 8366.
Find out, in this article, some of the other leather materials suitable for belt production.
What is the Ideal Leather Material for Making Belts?
Several options are out there, ranging from the full-grain leathers to the bonded leather, top-grain and split-grain leather materials.
The selection is typically based on the material’s thickness, the flexibility and the smoothness. With that being said, we present to you, some of the best leather materials to use for belt-making.
1. Full-Grain Leather
This is the most preferred material for a couple of reasons – durability, extreme strength and retention of some natural appearances.
The features of a full-grain leather include having natural markings (imperfections) on the surface, broad, extremely strong and thicker.
These are the properties you look out for when making a belt, especially the one that would last for longer periods.
Benefits of Using Full-Grain Leather for Making the Best Belts
Here are some cogent reasons as to why using the material is ideal for making belts:
- Besides the extreme strength aiding the durability; it also makes the belt less susceptible to wear and tear.
- It is entirely made out of leather, hence, the retention of the natural markings on the body.
- It has a luxurious look, thanks to the presence of the natural markings, visible grains of the hides and hair patterns.
2. Top-Grain Leather
This is another type of leather material to use, due to the higher quality. Although the quality cannot be compared to full-grain leather; it does come with some improved features, such as removing the blemishes/imperfections and versatility.
Here are some of the benefits of choosing it over the others:
- Top-grain leather is thinner and lighter than full-grain leather material is.
- It is quite affordable, hence, the preference for affordable leather belts.
- The versatility allows for the availability in a variety of textures and colors.
3. Top-Grain Leather
In terms of the classifications, the top-grain leather should come just after the full-grain leather. As the second-best material, it offers “corrections of the imperfections” via the removal of the natural markings. Buffing off the markings helps to give the material a smoother look.
Top-grain leathers also have a number of attributes:
- It has a good finishing – and is dyed.
- Despite the removal of the markings, the material can still retain a natural feeling texture.
4. Vegetable-Tanned Leather Materials
These are leathers made with the environment in mind. They are made to help protect animals and wildlife.
Here are some of the reasons why vegetable-tanned leather materials are important:
- They are the alternative to other types of leathers.
- It is often tanned using vegetable-related materials, such as the bark of a tree.
- If cowhide must be used, it would be combined with the vegetable matter.
- Sometimes, the vegetable-tanned leather is sourced from “free roaming animals,” instead of killing animals.
The benefits of using the leather goes beyond the eco-friendly and wildlife preservation options. They also include increased durability than the other types of leather materials.
On the flipside, vegetable-tanned leather materials can be quite expensive than all other types of leathers.
The Types of Leather Materials to Avoid
Certain leather materials must not be used to make belts, especially if you have durability and quality in mind.
Here are examples of such materials and why they don’t make the list:
5. Synthetic Leather Material
You should know that this will obviously be on the list, because belts made out of synthetic leather don’t always last.
This type of material is derived from a synthetic, which has been made and finished to look like leather. This type of leather is also called faux leather or vegan leather.
The benefits of synthetic leathers include:
- Affordability: due to the predominant use of synthetic or recyclable materials, the vegan leather material is often affordable.
- Cruelty-Free Option: the need to preserve wildlife and protect animals is the reason why options like vegetable-tanned and synthetic leathers sprung up. Vegan leathers are cruelty-free because they are hardly made from animal hides.
On the downside, this is not real leather. It may also not last long and most importantly – the reliability is not fully-assured, as it is not breathable.
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6. Bonded Leather
Just like the synthetic material, bonded leather materials are not ideal for belt-making. The materials are made or derived from the scraps of leathers. After assembling these scraps, they are bonded or glued together with the use of adhesives.
You don’t want to use these for a wide range of reasons, such as:
- The natural finish and look of the other leather materials are not obtainable.
- Bonded leather materials may not stand up to the wear and tear, due to the use of less-durable materials.
7. Split-Grain Leather Materials
Stay away from these materials if you want to make durable belts. It is made via the separation of a layer of corium from the top-grain of leather hides.
While it is ideal for making leather-by products, it actually has a lot of downsides, notably:
- It is an imitation of top-grain leathers, with fuzzy texture on both sides.
- The structure is looser, no thanks to the thinner appearance.
8. Genuine Leathers
Do not let the name deceive you into buying genuine leathers. They are not “genuine” in any way.
These materials are made using scraps of leather. Although the scraps can sometimes be that of cowhides, they don’t always provide the durability required for belt-making.
For what it is worth, the quality of the materials tends to vary, due to the source of the hides. Also, it doesn’t last as long as full-grain or top-grain leathers do.
If you would use genuine leathers, it is to make cheaper belts.
Conclusion
Full-grain leathers top the list, closely followed by corrected grain leathers and top-grain leather materials. If you narrow the options out of this bracket, you will have to prioritize genuine leathers over the bonded and split grain materials. You can get the best leather for making belts from any of the leather markets in Nigeria.
Would you like to purchase the best upholstery fabric, leather or tarpaulin in Nigeria? Contact any of the Nestken Masters’ offices in Lagos or Aba. Call: 08039388366