Leather Terminology
Grain – The grain layer is the outermost external side where the hair used to be.This grain-textured layer is regarded as the most durable and soft. Grain leather can also be used in other ways for different effects:
Reversed Grain – In this case, the scruffy side of the grain leather is intentionally used for the outside of the glove. The smoother grain side faces in to improve feel and dexterity against the hand.
Brushed Grain – This is where the smooth grain side is brushed to a scruffy finish. Done mainly to blend away cosmetic defects, brushed grain retains much of its original durability. Indicates welding gloves that are also available in left hand only
Split – This layer is the scruffier internal side of the hide. In the glove industry, it is commonly further classified into subcategories according to the portion of the animal from which it came.
Side Split – This came from the back and side portions of the animal. The hide is densest here, yielding a consistently durable high-grade leather.
Shoulder Split – This came from the shoulder area where the hide is less uniform in density and appearance. The result is a less durable, but more affordable leather. Shoulder leather can be further classified into Select Shoulder and Shoulder (or Regular Shoulder).
Belly (Economy) Split – The belly area yields the thinnest and least consistent leather.
Elkskin – Elkskin leather is softer and more cushiony than other leathers. This results in excellent comfort and a significant degree of natural insulation. Available in heavier thicknesses, grain elkskin is the leather of choice for our premium stick welding and driving gloves because it combines excellent protection, comfort, and insulative properties.
Deerskin – Deerskin is very similar to elkskin except that it is not available in as thick a cut as elkskin. The medium thick weight is perfect for our Mighty MIG Expert™ welding gloves, providing a balance of dexterity, comfort, and insulative protection. In its split leather form, deerskin is unbeatable for making the finest, high-dexterity TIG welding gloves.
Cowhide – Cowhide is perhaps the most versatile leather because it is durable, sufficiently supple, and can yield a wide range of thicknesses and distinct grades from a single hide. The balance it strikes among durability, dexterity, abrasion resistance, and comfort makes it suitable for anything from welding gloves and accessories, to driving and work gloves, to full welding jackets and other protective apparel.
Pigskin – Pigskin is a resilient and moderately supple leather. The full hide is not as thick as cowhide, nor is it as dense. The result is a lighter-weight leather that is suitable for making medium thickness performance gloves and apparel. Revco produces several stick welding and MIG welding gloves with grain pigskin as well as the popular light-on-your-shoulders DURALite™ jackets and pigskin sleeve Hybrid™ jackets.
Goatskin – The high lanolin content of goatskin makes it a very supple leather. Pound for pound, goatskin is a very durable leather but it is only available in relatively light cuts. Goatskin is reserved for producing TIG welding, driving, and ergonomic gloves where dexterity is important.
Kidskin – Kidskin is the leather from a young goat. This leather is softer than goatskin and offers even greater dexterity, but is similar in the other aspects. Kidskin is used in TIG gloves where dexterity is of high importance.