EP25: Comparing Shell Cordovan, Horsehide, Cow, Steer, Deer, Bison

Full Grain Podcast with Nick Horween and Phil Kalas

What do you get when you cross a cow, a horse, a bison, and a deer? No, it’s not a joke. It’s a leather tannery lesson from Nick Horween and Phil Kalas. Nick and Phil have a combined 30+ years of leather tannery experience. They explain how shell cordovan, cow, steer, horse, bison, and deer skin vary in their features and functions. Which one is the most suitable for a formal shoe? A rugged boot?

0:00 Always Workin’

1:01 Leather Hide Types

2:33 Coarse vs. Fine Grain Character

3:53 Performance Characteristic

5:34 Best Leather for Dress Shoes

9:35 Deerskin

12:00 Most Casual Hide

12:11 Grain Characteristics

17:28 Fat Wrinkles vs. Draw

22:38 CXL on Different Hides

24:52 Tannages and Pit Tanning

31:32 Horween Shell Cordovan Differences

48:28 Favorites

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