Producing nubuck leather is also complicated, as is storing it, which has many different tips we need to consider.
What is Nubuck leather
Nubuck leather is the type of leather that has uses for a wide variety of leather products. It is a great leather and is usually high quality. Its quality and characteristics are a mix of finer qualities from various types of leather. The nubuck leather has a great look and an even greater feel to it. If you are unfamiliar with nubuck leather then you might want to refer to suede. They are very similar in appearance and feel. However, they do have their differences such as in durability. Nubuck is more durable because it comes from the outer layer of the hide. Moreover, nubuck derives from the top grain layer of the hide making it a high-quality leather. Other leather similar to nubuck is chrome and vegetable leather. This means that it has many of the same properties as suede, but it’s naturally somewhat thicker and more durable and hardy. Traditionally, nubuck was made from deer or elk, but these days is from calfskin - this gives it its super soft texture. However, a lot of manufacturers stain the material to cover imperfections, creating a smooth and beautiful material. This means most nubuck shoes come out of the box looking flawless and ready to wear. You may also see Nubuck leather in various colors. Leather was used for clothing and other personal items. You can usually find this wonderful fabric on nubuck boots and shoes. You may also find them in jackets, gloves, and other accessories.
Nubuck leather description
If you have not seen nubuck leather, you might want to compare nubuck leather to suede Like suede, the nubuck surface has a fuzzy and velvety surface to it. It is smooth to touch as well. The nubuck look and feel is popularly recognizable in boots. Unlike, suede and leather, nubuck does not develop its patina well Nubuck is the type of leather that needs a lot of gentle loving care to look and feel good over time. The buckskin of deer or elk has historically been used to make nubuck leathers. These types of animal hide were popular around the beginning of the 1930s in the United States Market. Primarily, this type of leather was not very popular or successful. Another story is how the nubuck leather is actually produced. While this type of leather was historically made out of buckskin, some use calfskin as an easier alternative. Calfskin is easy to get and there is an abundance of it. To make the nubuck, leather manufacturers use the outer layer of the calfskin. You should note that the outer layer that they are using is the top-grain or full grain layer. This means it is high-quality material. The outside of the skin then goes through a sanding process. This gives the leather a velvet-like finish. We use the outer layer of the animal skin because it is tougher than the inner part. It is also more resilient than the inner layer. This is logically why Nubuck is more durable than suede. It is also the reason why nubuck is more expensive than suede. The inner layer is what makes suede. While, the outer layer is what makes nubuck. Moreover, since nubuck is sanded from the outside, it may leave some imperfection to its appearance. While some prefer to leave the imperfection because it gives the leather "character", others choose to cover it up. To hide these imperfections the manufacturers often dye it.
Nubuck leather storing
Your leather will unquestionably be ruined by certain factors but storing your nubuck properly will make a huge difference. Nubuck leather does not tolerate any dampness or liquids.it should therefore be stored in a dark, cool and dry place away from any water or any fluids. Nubuck should likewise be stored away from sunlight Especially when sunlight hits the leather for a long time. Sunlight might dry out the leather and make it more susceptible to tearing and peeling. It is also important to regularly condition the nubuck if it is frequently exposed, such as when there is no proper storing space. Ideally, leather should be stored in a dark, cool dry place. However, some leather goods such as bags and shoes often offer special plastic bags to store the leather. These plastic bags keep the leather shaded and protected. Not only does it protect the leather from sunlight and water, but also keeps it dust-free as well. They are great especially when you frequently travel or have no storing space. Conditioning & Protecting Nubuck Leather Conditioning and protection are important for all types of leather. To keep your nubuck looking good, proper maintenance is necessary. But what do conditioning and protection mean? Leather is organic. It has fibers that make it strong and keep it together. It is also responsible for the color of the leather. However, after a certain period of time and use, these fibers become weak. This is mostly due to the leather losing oils that serve as nutrients for the fibers. Exposure to weather, use, and time is usually the main causes. Conditioning therefore basically refers to replacing any oil that the leather lost. Protection on the other hand aims to prevent or minimize the damage that certain elements may cause to the leather. How do you condition nubuck? Nubuck is a low-maintenance leather. However if the nubuck does become stiff, you may apply a conditioning product to return its soft and velvety touch. Most use mink oil in conditioning leather. Lightly apply the conditioning product on a soft dry cloth. Do not apply it directly to the leather. Moreover, you should only use a small amount as mink oil will darken the leather. For leather protection, leather protectors are usually available. They usually come in the form of a spray. Leather protectors protect nubuck against dirt and moisture.