Leather by Country
Origin doesn't make a hide better or worse. But it tells you the tradition behind the tannery. Italy is renowned for veg-tan that patinas beautifully; France for smooth calfskin; Germany for reliable, consistent finishes; South Africa is synonymous with ostrich. Think of it as the fastest way to gauge the character of a leather source before diving into individual tanneries.
Most Italian leather in stock is vegetable-tanned cowhide from Tuscany — thick, unfinished leather that develops patina over time.
German leather in stock is chrome-tanned calfskin, with a uniform surface across hides — easy to calculate yields when cutting in volume.
French leather in stock leans toward calfskin and goatskin: smaller hides, smooth grain, thin substance — well-suited for small leather goods and work requiring sharp stitching.
South Africa is the world's oldest producer of farmed ostrich leather; the ostrich leather in stock comes from the Klein Karoo region.