Buffalo Leather Why We Keep Coming Back to It
To be completely honest, not every type of leather is a perfect one. You have heard all the hype about premium leather this and genuine leather that but when you take away all the hype you get one type that stands strong and quiet through it all buffalo leather. And over at Antarctic Leathers we are a bit obsessed with it - and with good reason.
It has nothing to do with fashion and glamour. It has something to do with texture, roughness, and that down-to-earth sense you have when anything is done right.
The Story of Hide
What is special about buffalo leather? It begins with its origin which is domesticated water buffalo or wild depending on the origin. However, what truly distinguishes it is the grain. It is aggressive, rough, and noticeable. You may see it. You can sensate it. You get just the feeling that it is real when you touch it.
These hides have their own stories. There are scars, minor details and small marks that are not polished or smoothed away. And the queerest part of it is this. That is what we enjoy. It reminds that everything here is not mass and over-produced. It is character all the way.
Why we Love Working With it
Buffalo leather is not only good looking, but it is working. This material is the real hard one. It is also thicker, and stronger than cowhide, hence it lasts longer with use. We are discussing many years of wear and not only one season.
And what is best? What has happened is that with time it becomes more beautiful. It becomes this dark patina as denim does, a bit, you know, as it is used. It is your jacket in a sense a synthetic jacket could never be.
Not every Buffalo Leather is Similar
Just a little warning, buffalo leather isn’t unified. The stuff we utilize at the Antarctic Leathers is predominantly full grain, that is the good stuff. It is the top part of the hide, it is all natural, untouched, you get all that raw beauty, and as well as strength.
Then there is top grain, which is a little sanded away to make it smooth (strong, but more civilized), and split leather, which is taken out of the inside. It is less expensive, yet not that tough. That one we do not generally interfere with.
Compare and Contrast
Buffalo vs. Cow: Buffalo is thicker, and more textured. The cowhide is much more smooth and slightly easier to work with.
Buffalo vs. Calf: Calfskin is soft and luxurious it is perfect to use in fancy bags. If you are going to be wearing jackets that must be mauled, Buffalo will be your choice.
Buffalo vs Goat: Leather of the goat is weightless and elastic. Buffalo is better and more organized.
Buffalo vs. Sheep: Sheepskin is soft and cozy. Buffalo is the hardest animal. The tougher and more rugged is Buffalo.
Buffalo vs. Yak: Yak is light, but sturdy (good hiking). Buffalo is thicker and fatter.
Buffalo vs. Genuine Leather: The sound of Genuine is pretty, the word normally suggests low quality. Buffalo full grain is not a gimmick.
Buffalo vs. Bovine: Bovine Represents a blanket term designation of cow family leather. It is more fluid; buffalo is more natural grain and grit.
Bottom line? Buffalo is your choice in case you want originality and power.
What We Use It For
In our company Antarctic Leathers, we have mostly buffalo leather jackets- and trust me these are the jackets that we will never wear out. However, it is used in many more things than people realize. Boots, belts, bags, sofas, even saddles. It is also adaptable and has that right combination of both functionality and beauty.
It has a texture that can hardly be explained unless you try it on. It’s solid. Grounded. Like armor but fashion it.
Final Thoughts
Not all people are suited to wearing buffalo leather. It is not cuddly and sleeks off the package. It’s bold. It’s lived in. Some are time consuming to break in and even longer to break up with.
But when you like classic gear, which improves with time, jackets that make you and your story, products that never break after just a couple of years, buffalo leather is the one.