What Are Different Types Of Leather Cuts & Thickness?
Whole Leather Cut
A whole leather hide encompasses the entire skinned and tanned hide of an animal. Since it includes the areas from all of the other related cuts, the leather available will range from softer areas with various stretch characteristics to thicker, stiffer areas of the hide. The range of leather thickness and weight will vary across the entire hide.
Side Leather Cut
The side cut of a leather hide is half of an entire hide, cut lengthwise along the middle. since this includes at least parts of areas from all related cuts, the leather available will range from softer areas with various stretch characteristics to thicker, stiffer areas of the hide.
Shoulder Leather Cut
The shoulder cut of a leather hide comes from the shoulder area of the animals. This area generally has a firm, yet malleable and flexible feel. Shoulder cuts work well for tooling.
Double Shoulder Leather Cut
The double shoulder cut of a leather hide comes from the shoulder area of the animals. It is essentially the entire shoulder area from the hide. This area generally has a firm, yet malleable and flexible feel. Shoulder cuts work well for tooling.
Bend Leather Cut
The bend cut of a leather hide is from the area ranging from the spine towards the belly, towards the middle of the hide. This is some of the best leather available in a hide, the prime sections generally towards the back side before the butt. It is best used across a number of leather product applications.
Double Bend Leather Cut
The double bend cut of a leather hide is from the area ranging from the spine towards the belly, towards the middle of the hide. This is some of the best leather available in a hide, the prime sections generally towards the back side before the butt. It is best used across a number of leather product applications.
Butt Leather Cut
The butt cut of a leather hide is from the hind leg portion of the hide, running around the butt and up towards the spine. This is the thickest and firmest area of the hide. Butt cuts make good leather for thicker items such as heavy belts.
Double Butt Leather Cut
The double butt cut of a leather hide is from the hind leg portion of the hide, running around the butt and up towards the spine, on both sides of the hide. This is the thickest and firmest area of the hide. Butt cuts make good leather for thicker items such as heavy belts.
Belly Leather Cut
The belly cut of a leather hide is from the left or right edges of the hide. The belly of animals naturally expands and contracts as food and water are consumed. This makes the belly leather a little softer, and stretchier, than from other areas of the hide. While not considered prime leather, belly-cut leather can be used for various leather working uses.
Double Belly Leather Cut
The belly cut of a leather hide is from the left and right edges of the hide. The belly of animals naturally expands and contracts as food and water are consumed. This makes the belly leather a little softer, and stretchier, than from other areas of the hide. While not considered prime leather, belly-cut leather can be used for various leather working uses.
Leather thickness is one factor that influences its use and the performance of the finished piece it is used to make. One often considers what thicknesses would be best for their project when choosing leather. For example, thicker leather would be good for a belt, while thinner leather might work well for a wallet.
1oz – 3oz – linings and inner pockets
4oz – 5oz – small bags, wallets, light notebook covers, personal accessories
6oz – 7oz – handbags, light backpacks, notebook covers, light belts
8oz – 9oz – belts and medium bags
10oz + – holsters, saddlery, heavy bags, heavy belts