Deerskin Leather: The Ultimate Guide to Buying, Using, and Maintaining It

Key Takeaways:

• Deerskin leather is exceptionally soft, breathable, and durable, making it ideal for clothing and accessories.  
• It stands out from other leathers due to its lightweight feel, flexibility, and resistance to wear and tear.  
• Proper care, including conditioning and protection from moisture, ensures deerskin leather lasts for years.

The selection of leather highly depends upon the qualities you want in a product. For those who want matchless softness and durability, deerskin leather is the ultimate choice!

Deerskin leather is a unique and highly versatile material in the leather world. Known for its softness, durability, and flexibility, it stands out among other leather types. Whether you are looking to buy deer hide for crafting a DIY product or need durable, lightweight leather for clothing or accessories, deerskin delivers quality. 

In this deerskin leather guide, we will discuss the significance, features, and uses of this material, comparing it to other animal hide leathers so that you can make an informed decision. 

What is Deerskin Leather?

Deerskin leather comes from real deer skin (also known as buckskin hides), acquired via different types of male and female deers, such as piebald deer hide, or whitetail deer hide. The hide is processed and tanned to create a high-quality, flexible material. 

Deerskin has been used for centuries, especially in traditional Native American clothing and accessories. Today, it remains a popular choice for gloves, jackets, footwear, and bags due to its luxurious feel and resilience.

Significance of Deerskin Leather

Deerskin leather stands out because it's incredibly soft, lightweight, and breathable, yet highly resistant to wear and tear. Unlike cowhide, which can feel stiff, deerskin is naturally flexible and molds to your body over time. That makes it super comfortable to wear. For example, breaking in a leather jacket made of deerskin will be much easier than the one made of cow or steer hide. 

Deer leather is tough enough to last for years but still has a smooth, supple texture, a balance that is less likely to be achieved in any other type of leather. The pebbled grain deerskin has is sought after by leather aficionados. This is the reason why deerskin is an excellent choice for clothing and accessories.

How Deer Leather is Made

The process of turning deer hide into usable leather involves several steps:

1. Tanning: Deerskin is often tanned using a chrome leather tanning process, which enhances its softness. Some traditional methods use brain tanning for an even softer texture.
2. Finishing: Depending on the intended use, tanned deer skins can be finished in different ways. Some tanned deer hides are left natural, while others receive protective leather finishes for added water resistance.
3. Dyeing: Deerskin absorbs dye well, resulting in vibrant, long-lasting colors. Different leather dyeing procedures can be used on deer leather. 

Features of Deerskin Leather

If you are planning to go for deerskin leather, below are the reasons why you should choose it:

Durability and Resistance to Wear

Deerskin is naturally resistant to abrasion, making it a worthwhile choice for products that undergo daily use. It does not easily crack or stiffen, unlike some other leathers.

Lightweight Feel

Even though it’s strong, deerskin leather is incredibly lightweight. This makes it a preferred material for gloves and jackets that need to be comfortable without compromising protection.

Breathability

Deer pelt has an open fiber structure, allowing air to pass through. This makes it comfortable to wear in all climates, as it helps regulate temperature.

Softness

One of the biggest reasons people buy deer hide is its softness. It has a luxurious, buttery feel like that of nunuck or suede that gets better with time.

Appearance

Deerskin leather has a naturally pebbled texture that sets it apart from smoother leathers. This unique look adds character to any product made from it.

Uses of Deerskin Leather

Deerskin leather is a popular choice for many products. Most commonly, it is used for gloves since it provides a snug yet comfortable fit. Jackets or coats made from deerskin are not only stylish but also breathable and lightweight, making them perfect for everyday wear. If you’re looking for a custom leather jacket made from deerskin, Leather Skin Shop offers a variety of customization options.

Shoes, boots, or moccasins made from deerskin are another great choice, tough enough to handle daily wear while staying light on your feet. Bags and accessories such as belts and hats made from deerskin are also popular, giving a unique appeal to your overall look. 

Another common use of deer leather is motorcycle gear, as it benefits from deerskin’s durability, offering protection without feeling heavy or restrictive. Deer leather is also used in furnitue upholstery.

Comparison of Deer Hides with Other Leathers

Let’s compare deerskin leather with other commonly used leathers. 

Deerskin vs. Cowhide Leather

• Thickness: Cowhide is thicker and firmer.
• Durability: Both are durable, but cowhide is stiffer.
• Touch: Deerskin is softer and more pliable.
• Softness: Deerskin is significantly softer.
• Price: Deerskin leather is usually more expensive.
• Availability: Cowhide is more widely available.

Deerskin vs. Sheepskin

• Thickness: Sheepskin is thinner than deer pelt, but the presence of lanolin makes it warmer than deerskin.
• Durability: Deerskin is more resistant to wear.
• Touch: Sheepskin is smoother.
• Softness: Both are soft, but deerskin has a more natural flexibility.
• Price: Sheepskin is generally cheaper.
• Availability: Sheepskin is easier to find.

Deerskin vs. Goatskin

• Thickness: Goatskin is thicker but not as flexible.
• Durability: Deerskin lasts longer under heavy use.
• Touch: Goatskin has a tighter grain, making it firmer.
• Softness: Deerskin is noticeably softer.
• Price: Deerskin is more expensive.
• Availability: Goatskin is more common.

Deerskin Leather Care

Caring for deerskin leather is important so that it stays in top condition for years. Keep your deerskin leather product protected from moisture. Regularly clean it with a damp microfiber cloth to wipe off dirt, and condition it afterwards to maintain its softness. If it gets wet, air dry it at room temperature without direct heat.

FAQs

What is deerskin leather made of?

It is made from real deer skin that has been tanned and processed.

Why is deerskin leather considered expensive?

Deer hides are less common than cowhide or sheep skin. Also, the tanning process requires more care, which is why deer skin leather is a bit more pricey.

Is it safe to expose deerskin leather to water?

Deerskin is water-resistant but not waterproof. Prolonged exposure to moisture can damage it.

What are the top benefits of deerskin leather?

Deer leather is soft, lightweight, breathable, and highly durable.

How to properly clean and wash deerskin leather?

To clean deerskin leather, use a damp cloth with mild soapy water, then let it air dry. Don’t forget to apply conditioner afterwards to protect it from drying out.

Is deerskin leather superior to cowhide leather?

It depends on the use. Deerskin is softer and more flexible, while cowhide is thicker and tougher.

What are the best ways to waterproof deerskin leather?

Apply a leather conditioner or waterproofing spray to add water resistance quality to deerskin leather.

Can you repair damaged deerskin leather?

Yes, small scratches on deer hide leather can be buffed out with a leather conditioner.

It’s a Wrap

Deerskin leather is appealing due to its incredible softness, resistance to wear, and flexibility. It is a top choice for anyone looking for high-quality leather that feels as good as it looks. Whether you are searching for deerskin leather for sale to craft a leather product yourself, want a custom deerskin leather product, or want to maintain a product you already own, knowing its properties and care requirements helps you make the most of this luxurious material.