Leather Cord

Definition and Overview

Leather cord is a slender, string-like material that makes use of the texture of leather. In addition to flat types made by cutting natural leather into strips, there are also types made into a round shape. It is used in clothing, bags, accessories, and other items for both practical and decorative purposes.

The name basically refers to cords made of natural leather. However, cords made of synthetic leather or other materials with a shine or appearance similar to leather may also be called leather cord. Check the material indication and product specifications to distinguish whether it is made of natural leather.

Materials and Structure

Leather cord is made from materials such as cowhide and other natural leathers. Depending on the tanning method, surface finish, thickness, and fiber density, softness, gloss, strength, and aging characteristics differ. Some are dyed or coated on the surface.

Flat leather cord has a structure made by cutting leather into narrow strips, and its cross section is flat. Round leather cord is made by rolling leather into a round shape and bonding it, or by braiding or assembling multiple leather materials. Unlike woven fabrics or braided cords, its defining feature is that leather itself is the main material.

• Flat leather cord: knots tend to stay stable, making it suitable for planar decoration.
• Round leather cord: has a three-dimensional feel and is used for loops and accessory cords.
• Braided leather cord: a structure that adds character by braiding or assembling multiple leather materials.

How Width and Thickness Are Expressed

Flat leather cord is generally expressed by width and thickness, while round leather cord is expressed by diameter or thickness. Even if it looks round, the cross section may not be a perfect circle in stitched or braided structures, so it is important to check the measurement method and the finished appearance.

During design, confirm not only the dimensions of the cord itself but also compatibility with the inner diameter of holes to pass through, cord stoppers, cord ends, and similar parts. When making knots, the ease of tying and the knot size change depending on the thickness and firmness of the leather.

Main Applications

Leather cord is used for accessories such as necklaces and bracelets, pendant hanging cords, bag pull tabs and drawstring closures, and decorative cords for clothing. As a detail that shows the material texture, it is also used in casual, craft-style, and ethnic expressions.

For applications where tensile load is repeatedly applied, it is necessary to design so that the load is not concentrated only on the leather cord. Check the stitching of connection points, the tying method, combinations with hardware, and areas where friction occurs, and select the thickness and structure according to the application.

Selection and Handling Notes

When selecting, check the shape such as flat or round, width or thickness, firmness, surface finish, color, and required length. When used in clothing, it is desirable to confirm in prototypes whether there is any color transfer to the textile it touches or any effects caused by friction.

Natural leather is easily affected by moisture, heat, dryness, and ultraviolet light, and when wet it may harden, shrink, deform, or lose color. Leather cord is not a material that frays at the edges like woven fabric, but attention is needed for fuzzing at cut edges, surface abrasion, and loosening at the ends of braided leather cord.

Whether it can be washed depends on the type and treatment of the leather, as well as the overall product specifications. Machine washing and prolonged soaking are generally avoided, and if it becomes dirty, care should be taken with a dry, soft cloth after checking the effect in an inconspicuous area.

Frequently Asked Questions