The Obwerth leather types

Classic Leather

Oberwerth's vegetable-tanned leather is a natural product and meets the highest ecological standards. It is harmless and free of heavy metals. No varnishes, plastics or similar surface sealants are used. This is the only way to guarantee that this leather is a natural, low-pollutant product. The open-pored and extremely breathable leather is thus more sensitive to stains than conventional, industrially manufactured leather, but lovers of such leather appreciate the natural patina that results.

Since leather is a natural product, each hide has areas with a fiber structure of varying strength. Depending on the fiber structure, color pigments penetrate more or less deeply into the hide during vegetable tanning. Thus, it can happen that the naturally dyed, chemically untreated and especially not coated natural leather stains when wet, prolonged and direct contact with fabric and high humidity. Please be aware of this especially at the beginning of using your bags, the effect will fade after a few weeks. The discoloration should normally come off in the machine as these are water based inks that are used.

The only way we could change this would be to chemically treat (seal) the vegetable tanned leather afterwards. You could also say if we were to botch. However, with our vegetable tanned leathers, the desire to preserve the natural look and pleasant feel of the leather is paramount. This is the only way the bags form their unique patina over time.

These discolorations are therefore rather a quality feature of the bag and the proof that it is really a vegetable tanned bag. They do not represent a defect.

Care instructions

The vegetable-tanned, full-grain cowhide of the Classic Line products impresses with its smooth and firm feel. For the regular care of a Classic Line product, our Care & Protect Organic Spray is ideal. It consists of over 90% natural ingredients and cares for the leather gently and sustainably. It also provides the necessary moisture that keeps the leather alive.

To repair scratches or other damage, we recommend our Recovery Cream. This cream impregnates and cares for the leather in equal measure. It protects and at the same time has a color activating effect. This special function allows you to polish away scratches as if by magic. The leather shines in its former glory and retains its as-new appearance.

The most elaborate, but also the most effective way to care for and protect the leather of Classic Line bags is to apply Power Care Leather Preserve Wax. This grease combines care, protection and impregnation in one. We recommend this wax more for darker types of leather, as light-colored leather could darken due to the grease. The wax is extremely productive, although you should be sure to follow the instructions on the product page to avoid leaving grease residue on the leather.

Casual Leather

A milled, full-grain and particularly high-quality thick leather with light pigmentation. Full grain and with natural fulling grain. Made with the best dyes and fatliquors. The leather is of the very highest naturalness. Since it is almost natural in the surface, it captivates by the soft and warm touch. Only first-class Central European hides are used as raw material.

Care instructions

Our casual leather is a semi-aniline, easy-care thick leather. For everyday cleaning, it is sufficient to dust the leather occasionally with a feather duster or dry dust cloth. For heavier soiling, we recommend cleaning with our mild leather cleaner. Do not work too wet to avoid marks. Always make a cleaning attempt in the concealed area first! Test especially carefully on light-colored leathers! In case of difficult stains, please contact us or send us the bag for examination. Quickly you increase the mishap by wrong cleaning attempts. For the care we recommend our leather Protector. It is a care milk with the necessary re-greasing and a UV protection. It protects the leather from fading and keeps it supple. Depending on the stress, heat and light intensity, the leather should be cared for sparingly every 3 to 12 months.

Light Leather - Smooth Leather

A soft to the touch and supple semi-aniline cowhide leather, which gets its soft feel through repeated fine processing. It represents a wonderful combination of natural pure aniline and pigmented leather with a stronger color top coat achieved by barrel dyeing. It is durable and easy to clean. Its skin pores are still slightly visible, the leather can still breathe. Slight irregular grain shows the naturalness of the leather. It flatters the hands, is soft and grippy at the same time and still provides a certain protection against stains and liquids.

Care instructions

The leather of the Light Line is characterized by its lightness and velvety feel. It is robust and hard-wearing so that it only requires light care. Here, too, the Care & Protect Organic Spray is ideally suited for care and cleaning. The spray gives the leather its natural shine and removes dirt and light discoloration.

Should there still be scratches on the leather, we recommend polishing them away with the Recovery Creme according to instructions. Please also dose carefully here to avoid grease streaks on the leather.

Hydro Leather - Hydrophobic Leather

In the past, leather was protected against water by greases. In addition, a chemical impregnation was applied before the first use. Hydrophobic leather, on the other hand, is treated during the tanning process so that it is naturally resistant to water for a longer period of time. The technology for this has existed for several decades, but until now its production was limited to material for sturdy boots. However, through improved, modern processes, we have created an elegant, lightweight and particularly high-quality leather. Our hydrophobic leather is as breathable as normal leather but has some improved properties in comparison. Because the material is hydrophobic, it dries faster and provides better heat regulation. Our hydrophobic leather is also visually appealing, because hardly any water marks or stains form on the surface.

In the case of hydrophobic leather, strong exposure to heat and moisture (e.g. heavy perspiration // in tropical climates) can cause discreet discoloration on clothing. This effect will fade over time. The discoloration can usually be removed in the washing machine.

Care instructions

To care for the leather of the Hydro Line we recommend the Hydro Plus Organic Spray. This takes over all 3 main functions: Cleaning - Care - Impregnation. With this spray you can care for your Hydro Line products in a natural way and maintain the water repellent function of the leather.

The Organic Hydro Plus Spray contains natural bamboo extract, which prevents the loss of moisture from the leather and pampers your bag in a natural way. Thanks to the innovative, natural composition, your bag will keep its high-quality look like the first day.

Vintage Leather

Vintage leather is a dyed-through cowhide that receives a special pigmentation in a final step. This makes the surface of the leather insensitive and reminiscent of old leather armchairs in smoky back rooms or the furnishings of a classic hotel bar. The light cognac hue of the leather evokes associations with the famous coloring of the North American "Indian Summers". The bags have a wonderful "used look" and a unique character.

Leather is a natural product, and the leather we use is of the highest quality and as natural as can be. Due to these inherent characteristics, the colors of our leathers may vary slightly. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any color questions.

Care instructions

Vintage Line leather is finished with a special finish and is therefore not particularly susceptible to dirt. As usual, to remove minor scratches or marks, the Leather Recovery Cream is best suited. This cream impregnates and cares for the leather in equal measure. It protects and at the same time has a color activating effect. This special function allows you to polish away scratches as if by magic. The leather shines in its former glory and retains its as-new appearance.

Should there still be dirt on the bag, you can polish it away with our Care & Protect Spray, as well as a soft cloth.

Soft Leather

Our cowhide leather of the absolute top class! A butter-soft cowhide with a gossamer finish, dyed with the best dyeing and fatliquoring agents give us a leather with an incomparable supple feel.

"Soft" is a leather that is always warm and soft, with a natural sporty full grain. The basis of the leather are exclusively first-class southern German bulls. The tanning is an ecological mineral tanning.

Care instructions

Our leather "Soft" is a high quality, soft smooth leather with a light protection. Due to the very thin protective layer, the leather is pleasantly warm and yet not too sensitive. For everyday cleaning, it is sufficient to dust the leather occasionally with a feather duster or dry dust cloth. For heavier soiling, we recommend cleaning with Leather Cleaner Mild.

Do not work too wet to avoid marks. Always make a cleaning attempt in the concealed area first! Test especially carefully on light-colored leathers! In case of difficult stains, it is always better to contact a specialist company (e.g. www.lederzentrum.de) first.

You can quickly increase the mishap by incorrect cleaning attempts. For maintenance we recommend Aniline Cream. Aniline Cream is an effective stain protector and keeps the leather supple. Older leathers or leathers that are regularly exposed to sunlight or other sources of heat should be additionally cared for with Aniline Protector. Aniline Protector provides the necessary regreasing for dry leathers and protects against fading. Depending on exposure, heat and light intensity, leather should be cared for sparingly every 3 to 12 months.

Luxury Leather

An extremely soft leather that develops an individual patina over time - that is our Luxury Leather. The finely grained calfskin is sourced from the most renowned tanneries in France and has an incomparably strong fiber structure. A double tanning process with vegetable tanning agents is used here, providing the clever balance between suppleness and strength.

The hides are tanned semi-aniline, followed by the addition of fat liquors in hot air vats. This allows the fat to really penetrate the interior of the hides, allowing a beautiful patina, soft feel and some water resistance (though not guaranteed waterproof!) to develop over time. This leather is the best leather imaginable and has been used by the most famous fashion manufacturers for over 60 years.

Please note:

The raw material used for this leather is the best hides, used in their perfectly natural way, without further finishing. Therefore, they may show natural traces of the animals' life such as stitches, scars or scratches. This is not a defect, but a special characteristic of the leather.

The leather develops a beautiful patina with prolonged use and thus becomes your very own individual companion.

Care instructions

To care for the leather of the Luxury Line or Luxury Bags, we recommend the regular use of the light leather cleaner Care & Protect.

US Shell / Italian Shell Leather

About two A3 sheets in size - this is how much leather is extracted from a horse's croup. This rarity and its special texture give this product its ultimate exclusivity. Its surface is soft, non-porous and has a luxurious gloss finish. Due to a high natural fat content, the leather acquires a water-repellent effect. The leather is uniquely soft yet inherently strong, making it an excellent leather for our beautiful Half Cases.

With large temperature fluctuations, a small amount of tallow may possibly escape, this should be worked back into the leather with a brush (not a cloth). Over time, this will develop an incomparably beautiful patina.

Care instructions

For the care of shell leather we recommend a gentle care with the Organic Care & Protect Spray.

Ostrich leather

The leather of an ostrich is distinguished by its characteristic, nubby grain pattern: this is where the feathers of the noble animal were anchored during its lifetime. The skin of the ostrich bird has been used for thousands of years for leather production and was already a popular material in ancient Rome, from which, for example, breastplates for soldiers were made. To this day, ostrich leather is extremely popular because of its softness and simultaneous durability. In addition, it is breathable and extremely robust.

Care instructions

The beautiful ostrich leather should be cleaned carefully with a slightly damp microfiber cloth. To care for and protect the leather, you can use our Organic Leather Care & Protect Spray. Please be careful not to use too wet.

Horween Leather

Our wonderful Horween Leather is a product of the Horween Leather Company, which is dedicated to creating the best leather in the world. The calfskin is coarse, but not deeply grained. In this way, the softness of the leather is preserved and is perfected haptically and visually. The supple leather also impresses with its durability and robustness, making it an excellent leather for everyday use.

Care instructions

For everyday cleaning, it is sufficient to dust the leather occasionally with a feather duster or dry dust cloth. For heavier soiling, we recommend cleaning with our mild leather cleaner. Do not work too wet to avoid marks. Always make a cleaning attempt in the concealed area first! Check especially carefully on light-colored leathers! In case of difficult stains, please contact us or send us the bag for examination. Quickly you increase the mishap by wrong cleaning attempts. For the care we recommend our Leather Protector. It is a care milk with the necessary re-fatting and a UV protection. It protects the leather from fading and keeps it supple. Depending on the stress, heat and light intensity, the leather should be sparingly cared for every 3 to 12 months.