Nappa leather

This is a is a general description used today to describe a leather that is soft, full grain and chrome tanned. In the past, nappa leather was mainly used for gloves and as upholstery leather. Tanners like to use the name nappa to describe a soft, quality leather.

Where the name Nappa comes from ?

If historians are to be believed, the name can be linked to Napa Valley, California. It was there that a certain Emanuel Manasse eventually settled. The son of a German tanner, he emigrated to America in 1864 and married a tanner's daughter there. He found his work in the Sawyer Tanning Co. Here he even developed a patent for a tanning process and and made the nappa leather, characterized by a very great softness and used for gloves.

As mentioned, the term is used fairly freely and unprotected. Recommended for use as leather for shoes, leather goods, car upholstery, furniture leather, etc.

In the past, nappa leather was mainly used for gloves and upholstery leather. And in theory, the grain should not have been worked, but that is often the case nowadays. This can mean a light sanding to remove superficial damage or even a firm correction of the grain with an artificial print applied afterwards.

Types of nappa leather

The ross nappa is a particularly strong, flexible leather that provides good results wherever it is used as upholstery. Available in several colors, it forms a basic item in the range. The lamb nappa has been part of our range for many years. An abundance of colors coupled with consistently good quality ensure a trouble-free finish.

Cow nappa leather

We have added an item to the nappa leather family; lamb, ross, goat, ross and now beef nappa. A supple, buttery soft, yet firm black cow nappa of 1.3 - 1.5 mm with a nice, quiet grain image and a slight sheen to round it out. And a great price!