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Types of Animal Leather
Posted by Black Stallion on Nov 11th 2024
Choose the Best Leather for the Work You do, from the Best Leather Work Glove Brand
Black Stallion® chooses their leather carefully…
All welding and work glove leather is not the same, and neither are all welding glove brands. Black Stallion® strives to use only the best leathers and the most appropriate hides for each application.
Because of its natural insulation properties, durability, and comfort, animal leather is the popular choice for welding gloves, drivers gloves, and other work gloves. Here is a summary of the animal hides used for these gloves and the unique characteristics of each.
Cowhide
Cowhide leather is the most common and abundant leather source. Because it offers the right balance of performance and value, cowhide is excellent leather for welding, driving, and work gloves, welding jackets and other protective apparel. Cowhide performs very well against sparks and spatter, while offering sufficient suppleness for comfort; it is also dirt and water resistant.
Cowhide is one of the heaviest leathers, making it very tough and durable. Although it can be somewhat stiff, cowhide breaks in easily. Cowhide can come from several different places on an animal, with each type offering unique qualities and uses.
Pigskin
Pigskin is a dense leather similar to cowhide, with a moderately supple feel and very good durability. Pigskin is known for its resilience, holding up well against abrasion. Slightly thinner than cowhide, pigskin stays pliable with wear and does not stiffen after getting wet.
Pigskin is a popular choice for stick and MIG welding gloves and is also used for premium welding jackets.
Goatskin
Goatskin is an economical, strong, and durable leather, with a smooth fine grain. The high lanolin content of goatskin makes it a very supple leather. Goatskin is slightly softer and tougher than cow leather and is lightweight, comfortable, supple, flexible, and water-resistant.
Goatskin is reserved for TIG welding, driving, and ergonomic gloves where dexterity is important.
Kidskin is very soft leather from a young goat. It is one of the thinnest leathers used for work gloves, allowing a high level of finger and control, while providing reasonable durability and abrasion resistance.
With its well-rounded features, including its adaptability, durability, suppleness, and light weight, kidskin is ideal for TIG gloves.
Deerskin
Due to the thorny nature of the animal’s natural habitats, deerskin is one of the toughest leathers available. The physical structure of deerskin leather is different than other types of skins. Its elongated interwoven fibers give it an extremely high shear strength and abrasion resistance. Deerskin is also ultra-soft, supple, and comfortable with a spongy feel. It is lightweight, yet highly durable.
Deerskin is one of the only leathers that can get wet and still dry soft. It can be wet and dried over and over and will conform back to its original condition. A properly cut deerskin glove, like Black Stallion's 24D, i17 and 39, has stretch widthwise, with only little stretch lengthwise. This creates a snug fitting glove that will expand with your hand when you make a fist or grip something, but the fingers won't become floppy over time.
Medium to heavy cuts of split deerskin are used for premium MIG welding gloves, while thin-cut deerskin is used for high-dexterity TIG welding gloves and drivers gloves.
Elkskin
Representing the top of the line in comfort, feel, and performance, elkskin is the premium choice for work glove leathers. Elkskin stays soft and supple, even when hot and wet, allowing excellent hand movement. It is thicker and more durable than Deerskin. One of the heaviest leathers available, it is the most heat, flame, and abrasion resistant, while also providing superior comfort.
Elkskin is the “top-shelf” choice for stick welding and drivers gloves. Our Black Stallion® elkskin leather is extra-thick, offering superior heat, flame, and abrasion resistance.