KGP said:I am going to take a guess at this. Not that I'm a leather expert or something, by I have been given a basic understanding once or twice. I suspect that the leather used for our new seat covers is top grain, which if a remember correctly means that it has not had to be treated in any way to remove imperfections from the hide such as barbwire marks. While the leather could be treated to remove to grain (personal preference), I suspect it is high enough quality that it need not be done. That's my guess, and I'm sticking to it because it makes me feel better about my purchase.Seriously though. I'd like to hear from someone else that might have a good handle on it.
Discalimer - I'm not in the least bit an expert on this, but I'll share what Steven , the president of Northwest told me. This is top grain leather and not split leather. Top grain, as KGP indicated in his subsequent post, is the top layer of the cowhide. In the US, we use barb wire to keep the cattle contained. Yes I know this because I live in Oklahoma
Cows brush up against fences and get cut, so what you see oftentimes on leather that might look imperfect is simply nature's work on thier hide. Split grain is the subsequent layers on the cowhide that are inferior to top grain in quality and consistiency - typical GM type leather. Split grain leather is typlically used for steering wheels, door panels, and accessory leather.Steven told me that they take this leather and run it through a "roller" to produce a consistent, embossed grain pattern on the hides. The "roller" as he explained is similar in type to the old rollers that they used to use to wring out water from clothes, or similarly the ones at the car wash that you can run your chamois through.
