Goatskin, Paring Grade — Whole Skin

Description

Vegetable-tanned goatskin selected for binding: an even substance across the skin, a grain that stands up to paring and a temper that lets it be worked wet without going flat. Goat is the standard fine binding leather because the grain pattern holds up under a hard turn-in and the fibre structure survives being pared to a feather at the joint, which is where a lesser skin tears. Vegetable-tanned rather than chrome — chrome leathers are unsuitable for work meant to last, and the tannage is the first thing a conservator asks about. Skins are natural material and vary in area, thickness and mark; each is measured and the area is stated on the invoice, and the marks that come with a real hide are not defects. Sold whole. Store rolled or flat in the dark, never folded.