Why are cordovan shoes more expensive?

Why are cordovan shoes more expensive?

Why is shell cordovan so expensive? The high price tag of cordovan comes down to the low supply of hides, the high demand for them, and the long, complicated tanning process.

What is cordovan shoe?

Shell cordovan or cordovan is a type of leather commonly used in high-end shoemaking. Cordovan is an equine leather made from the fibrous flat connective tissue (or shell) beneath the hide on the rump of the horse.

What is special about cordovan leather?

Shell Cordovan is a vegetable tanned leather that is treated with oils during the tanning process, this creates the unique feel that cordovan has. It has the touch of vegetable-tanned leather that is slightly „spongy“ and not as stiff as chrome-tanned leather but also has an oily touch because of its high oil content.

How do you care for Alden shell cordovan?

For shell cordovan shoes, Alden recommends using paste wax polish, and not shoe cream. For cleaning shell cordovan shoes, Alden recommends using only a damp soft cloth. Contact with water can sometimes cause cordovan leather to form small raised areas called ‘welts’.

Are horses killed for shell cordovan?

Are Horses Killed for Shell Cordovan? As in the traditional cattle leather industry, the equine animals are put down and the process of harvesting the entire animal takes place. Animals are not just killed for their hides. The remaining parts, including the bone and meat are utilized in other products.

How can you tell if leather is cordovan?

How to Identify Shell Cordovan Leather – YouTube

How do I know if my shoes are cordovan?

Is cordovan the same as brown?

Cordovan is a rich shade of burgundy and a dark shade of rose. Cordovan takes its name from the city of Córdoba, Spain, where the production of cordovan leather was first practiced by the Visigoths in the seventh century.
…
Cordovan (color)

Can you wear shell cordovan in the rain?

Plus, unlike your typical pair of rubber rain boots, shell cordovan boots can do double duty on both dry and wet days – pairing just as well with your fine lambskin bombers as they do with heavy raincoats and parkas. The only problem: shell can spot once it gets wet, much like you see above.

Does shell cordovan scratch?

Second, shell cordovan leather is naturally scratch resistant. The leather is made from the dense flat muscle tissue from the rump of a horse, so it’s highly durable.

How often should I polish cordovan shoes?

Every 10 – 15 wearings, apply a light haze of neutral Creme Cordovan or Venetian Cream sparingly. Allow to sit at least 10 minutes (my great grandfather insisted on overnight). Brush again, as long as you can stand it.

What animal is Horween leather from?

horse

It’s produced from the hindquarters, or “shells,” of a horse. The shell is split from a membrane between two layers of skin in the horse butt. A single horse hide produces only two shells. Horween Leather sources their horse hides from Canada and Europe.

Is shell cordovan full grain?

Shell Cordovan is not full grain leather type, but it is the leather layer below the top grain layer. This leather layer has the structure of collagen fibers derived from flesh and cartilage. Separated from this, Shell Cordovan leather has a very smooth and flawless surface without pores.

What is the difference between oxblood and cordovan?

You’ll sometimes hear the word “cordovan” be used to refer to a reddish-brown color that’s also referred to as oxblood or burgundy. This isn’t necessarily incorrect, but you should be aware that the term technically refers to the material, not the color.

Can cordovan leather get wet?

Cordovan used to be a workwear leather due to its weather resistance. It can spot or welt, but it is highly water resistant and welts usually fade away with a bit of buffing.

Does shell cordovan crack?

Not only does it look great, but shell cordovan doesn’t crack the way basically every other leather does. That’s because over time it ripples rather than creases, and creases are what lead to cracks. It sounds strange, but the ripples are subtle, and really add to the beauty of the patina.

Does shell cordovan wrinkle?

What I love about shell cordovan shoes is how resistant they are to creasing. They don’t crease, they ripple. Creases occur when the outer/grain of the leather travels at a slightly different distance to the inner/flesh portion of the leather when the vamp of the shoe is flexed.

How do you shine cordovan leather?

Shell Cordovan Shoe Shine Guide | How to Polish Cordovan Shoes

Are horses killed to make shell cordovan?

All over the world, horses are used in the food industry and in our case, shell cordovan leather is typically taken from horses that died of natural causes. This very rare selection of leather comes from the horse’s hindquarters – think mid back to the dock of the tail.

Which is the best leather in the world?

You could in fact argue that Horween leather is the world’s best leather! Horween Leather is named after the tannery where it is produced- The Horween Leather Company. It was founded in 1905 and for more than 100 years and five generations their goal has been to make the world’s best leather.

Is cordovan the same as burgundy?

Cordovan is a rich shade of burgundy and a dark shade of rose. Cordovan takes its name from the city of Córdoba, Spain, where the production of cordovan leather was first practiced by the Visigoths in the seventh century.

Does cordovan scratch easily?

Second, shell cordovan leather is naturally scratch resistant. The leather is made from the dense flat muscle tissue from the rump of a horse, so it’s highly durable. This durability makes cordovan leather especially well-suited to making items that routinely have to deal with cuffing or scratching.

Which is the costliest leather in the world?

Meet the shell cordovan
The most expensive exotic leather in the world is from the shell cordovan, a leather derived from the flat muscles underneath the hide on a horse’s rump. As you can imagine, not many places in the world raise horses for leather.

What is expensive leather called?

Nappa leather is one of the most expensive types of leather fabric on the market. It is a soft, full-grained leather made from the skin of kids or lamb. It is very supple and lightweight and wears well. Nappa leather is used to make luxury handbags, gloves, shoes, accessories, luggage and clothing items.

How do you shine cordovan?

Video Tutorial: How to Shine Shell Cordovan – YouTube