Hello everyone,
I'm trying to gain a good understanding of the pros and cons of calfskin vs. lambskin. As I posted earlier, I'm having a custom-fitted leather case made to hold an antique women's vanity set. Since the set is French, from 1910 and very valuable, I want to use the nicest leather I can find. I love Hermès and figure they're a good benchmark for the finest leather.
Does Hermès even use lambskin for purses or briefcases? It seems like they mostly use calfskin, and that in general calfskin is considered the highest quality leather. However, lambskin can be incredibly soft - I just received some samples from Libra Leather in NY of Nappa leather (lambskin, I think) which is extremely supple. It seems to me these are softer than most calfskins. Is lambskin not typically used for purses or briefcases because it's just too delicate (although I've heard lambskin can be very durable)? Or, is it just too squishy and perhaps stretches too much - not holding it's shape? If so, I wonder whether I'd have a problem using it to cover my case which will be made out of wood (the leather would be need to be stretched taught over the wood frame). Thanks a lot for any insight you can give me. I want to use the very nicest leather I can find, and I love supple, soft and smooth grained leather. However, I'm wondering if I must balance that with other considerations. Also - if anyone has an idea, I'd love to know what type of leather would perhaps be historically correct for a very high-end leather case of this sort, in 1910 France.
Also - I'm wondering about vegetable tanning vs. chrome tanning (sounds like chrome gives a more supple leather, although I always thought vegetable tanning was the best. I thought chrome tanning is must faster, and therefore cheaper). My leather case will be tooled and gilded with some decoration, and perhaps an extremely soft/supple lambskin might not work for that? THANKS AGAIN VERY MUCH.
Adam
I'm trying to gain a good understanding of the pros and cons of calfskin vs. lambskin. As I posted earlier, I'm having a custom-fitted leather case made to hold an antique women's vanity set. Since the set is French, from 1910 and very valuable, I want to use the nicest leather I can find. I love Hermès and figure they're a good benchmark for the finest leather.
Does Hermès even use lambskin for purses or briefcases? It seems like they mostly use calfskin, and that in general calfskin is considered the highest quality leather. However, lambskin can be incredibly soft - I just received some samples from Libra Leather in NY of Nappa leather (lambskin, I think) which is extremely supple. It seems to me these are softer than most calfskins. Is lambskin not typically used for purses or briefcases because it's just too delicate (although I've heard lambskin can be very durable)? Or, is it just too squishy and perhaps stretches too much - not holding it's shape? If so, I wonder whether I'd have a problem using it to cover my case which will be made out of wood (the leather would be need to be stretched taught over the wood frame). Thanks a lot for any insight you can give me. I want to use the very nicest leather I can find, and I love supple, soft and smooth grained leather. However, I'm wondering if I must balance that with other considerations. Also - if anyone has an idea, I'd love to know what type of leather would perhaps be historically correct for a very high-end leather case of this sort, in 1910 France.
Also - I'm wondering about vegetable tanning vs. chrome tanning (sounds like chrome gives a more supple leather, although I always thought vegetable tanning was the best. I thought chrome tanning is must faster, and therefore cheaper). My leather case will be tooled and gilded with some decoration, and perhaps an extremely soft/supple lambskin might not work for that? THANKS AGAIN VERY MUCH.
Adam
), but I can say that I will never ever buy another piece of lambskin. I got a fendi spy in lamb nappa and it just fell apart. Now there is just a big gaping hole in one of the corners - it's so big I can stick my finger through it. I went back to the store and they said it is because lambskin is very delicate. They can repare it though (that basically means stitching it). If I were you I'd stick to calfskin, which is much more sturdy and will last a lot longer. Good luck deciding (and do post pics of your lovely case when it is finished)
