Question about saddle leathers

[mydogs]

What is the difference between buffalo, vienna, French Calf, Italian Calf leather?

I noticed with my old Trilogy, the buffalo leather seemed to scratched so easy. God forbid I had long nails one day and accidentally scratch my saddle with my nail by accident.
Was that just me/my saddle or does that happen to others?

I also noticed that the Custom saddles have a “fabric” seat. What is it made from? Has anyone noticed a benefit of the fabric seat as compared to leather? Is it less like to become scratched so there is less wear marks?

[netg]

@mydogs

I also noticed that the Custom saddles have a “fabric” seat. What is it made from? Has anyone noticed a benefit of the fabric seat as compared to leather? Is it less like to become scratched so there is less wear marks?

Huh? No, they don’t. Do you not know what suede is and looked at a saddle with a sueded seat?

[alibi_18]

@netg

Huh? No, they don’t. Do you not know what suede is and looked at a saddle with a sueded seat?

It’s not suede either, it’s Buffalo.

[netg]

@alibi_18

It’s not suede either, it’s Buffalo.

Suede is “fuzzy leather with a napped finish.” It’s texture, not type of leather. My saddles both have that texture. It’s certainly different than the buffalo flaps.

[enjoytheride]

It’s a sueded seat, which will smooth out as your butt buffs it.

[sheltona01]

Custom uses the flesh side of the buffalo leather with a little bit of nap, which is why it looks like what most people think of suede. The flaps are the hair side of the leather and also thicker than seat leather.

Hope that helps!

[mydogs]

@netg

Huh? No, they don’t. Do you not know what suede is and looked at a saddle with a sueded seat?

Woah there, that was not necessary.

[mydogs]

@sheltona01

Custom uses the flesh side of the buffalo leather with a little bit of nap, which is why it looks like what most people think of suede. The flaps are the hair side of the leather and also thicker than seat leather.

Hope that helps!

Thank you! Very helpful!

Is there a benefit to using the flesh side for the seat?

[Dark_horse17]

I’ve got a Veritas saddle with buffalo flaps, smooth calfskin blocks, and what they call a “Makela” seat, which reminds me of suede (though I was told it IS NOT suede) – It’s all cow leather, not from actual buffaloes – it’s just the finish.

The buffalo is grained, sometimes deeply so. It’s totally a preference, and I chose a less grained leather.

This is their “options” page, so maybe an idea to see how they look against each other:

https://www.veritassaddles.com/options

[Scribbler]

Western saddles come in “rough out” or smooth leather. Rough out uses the flesh side out to give more grip, sounds like that’s what the Custom is doing here. Suede I think is different in that the smooth skin side is roughed up to have a more uniformly velvety finish. At least all the suede jackets gloves and shoes I’ve had showed a suede side and a rough flesh side on the inside. They weren’t just roughout leather. Of course they might also be split skins, whole other thing.

[sheltona01]

The flesh side is part of what give the seat the texture. It is also thinner leather, so it can be stretched over the seat and give it shape. The flaps need to be more durable since it is more in the wear part of the saddle. That is why is more of the softer leather ie calf you need a boot guard. Otherwise you would just wear right though the flap with your leg.

[KayGee]

I have a Custom saddle, and if IIRC, it is buffalo with a vienna seat (aka the nappy seat, faux suede seat, etc). The seat has some stick, but I am told it will wear smooth over time. I am careful with it because I do believe it will scratch even though any scuffs have been buffed out during conditioning.
Car people are just as confounded by the different names. I looked up ‘vienna leather’ when I bought my saddle, and although I was looking for a definition, I got sucked in by all the car forums talking about it.

[sheltona01]

Leather is a fascinating topic! What makes it semi complicated is that some saddle companies have their own names for the type of leather. Black Country uses Vintage. The Makela is (as far as I know) only 1 company. Among others.

I really wish I knew more about it, but so much to learn and not enough time. I would rather spend my time studying equine bio-mechanics.