Shell cordovan

Cordovan leather

The name derives from the Spanish city of Cordoba, where these special processing of horses skins was first practiced.

Nature

Cordovan leather is made ​​exclusively from the rear portion of Ross hides, the so-called shells or butts ( croup ). The yield is relatively small, it can per horse only two oval pieces are obtained about the size of a DIN A 3 - sheet, which in addition to the elaborate vegetable tanning explains the high price. The leather is very durable. This mirror also called skin areas are dissolved after tanning coherently from the leather surrounding it. They are stronger than the front range, making it ideal as a shoe material.

The leather is because of its high fat content, highly water -repellent. It may comprise at higher temperature differences a whitish surface, resulting from exiting the leather fat. This can be polished away with a soft cloth.

Processing

While the grain side serves as outside in calfskin, cordovan in the Aasseite is processed to the cover page. This initially rough side is machined until it forms a smooth, non-porous surface with a special luster. In the preparation of the leather is treated, among others, oil formulations and stored on glass plates to dry. Much of the work is made by hand.

The tanning process this coveted leather takes about six months. In Chicago, the company is located Horween, the one of the last tanneries still practiced this elaborate tanning procedure. Its customers include well-known shoe manufacturers.