Emus (a.k.a. Dromaius novaehollandiae) are native to Australia. Next to ostriches, they are the second highest birds in the world. An emu and ostrich have two-toed feet while the Rhea birds have three toed feet. Male ostriches may be an incredible height of 9 feet long, while an average emu is 6 feet tall.
Due to the feather follicles that scatter throughout the body, Emu leather has a rather distinctive grain pattern. Emus are very similar to ostrich and rhea species. They are the birds that do not fly but can run really quickly. On average, an Emu can sprint up to 30mph – an amazing result for a bird of this height. And these beautiful creatures deliver one of the rarest leather materials in the world.
Natural emu leather is a stunning material with beauty, elasticity, softness and extreme durability. Thanks to all these excellent qualities, it is no less prestigious than crocodile or snakeskin, and its unique pebbled texture makes it one of the main materials for truly elegant products – accessories, shoes, bags, clothes and even furniture.
The greater area of the emu’s body has a specific texture in the form of “pimples” (follicles that form in the place where feathers grow). The skin from the legs of an emu, with a number of large scales, looks smoother. Thanks to such a variety of leather textures and patterns, this rare material is very appreciated.
The structure of emu leather is a fine-grained material, accentuated by tiny dots (follicles) left after plucking feathers. That is why it has received great recognition. This material is so soft and smooth that it can do for the most fashionable products. Emu leather is in great demand in the international fashion industry. A wide range of attractive products can be produced from emu leather.
It is believed that at the age of about one year (on average a couple of months) emu leather reaches the highest quality. During this period, its area already reaches one and a half square meters. It means you can create a wide variety of products from it with a few leftovers. Emu leather is maximally textured and elastic.
As for the colors, emu leather can be dyed in a wide range of colors. There are black, white, brown and gray shades of leather. Brown and light tan shades are the most popular ones. You can choose an accessory of a very unusual shade, unlike other standard colors.
Durability is the biggest benefit of emu leather. This natural leather is good for processing and easy to handle in complex projects. Typically, it is lightweight, well dyed and polished. It has those features especially appreciated by the leading designers and designers in the world.
In addition, this material is thin and breathable. The thinness and softness of this leather make it suitable for crafting lightweight clothes and accessories.
Emu leather products are not cheap (it is the second most expensive after crocodile leather) and their prices fluctuate greatly depending on many factors affecting the cost of leather. On average, an emu leather piece will cost you from $60 to $200, depending on the grade of the material.
How to distinguish genuine emu leather?
Due to the high demand, there are a lot of fake leather materials that imitate Emu leather. You need to learn how to distinguish real leather. Here a few hints you may use on the spot when buying emu leather pieces:
- The key difference is the follicles, which resemble small bulges raised above the surface with tiny holes in the middle. These are the places where bird feathers grow. It is almost impossible to imitate such a texture;
- Natural emu leather does not dry out and does not crack, which is explained by the presence of natural oils in it, which distinguishes this leather from any other synthetic or natural material;
- Also, only natural leather emits a slight creak when you slide your finger over it. It is another simple factor to distinguish it from a fake;
Although now there are very good imitations from ordinary natural calf or pigskin, which are quite difficult to distinguish from real emu leather. But even the best counterfeits won’t have even half of the properties offered by real emu leather.
Uses
Since the skin of the emu’s leg is very difficult to remove, special tools are required to do this properly. But its unique reptile-like texture is worth it. Emu leather could be a good choice for trimming shoes, watchbands, belts and other leather accessories. Especially, you may use it for wallets due to its attractive “scale-like” pattern.
Emu leather is successfully used in sewing clothes, decorating shoes, as well as in the production of beautiful belts, wallets, wallets, bags and watch straps. This leather can also add style to any DIY household goods, car or furniture upholstery, motorcycles, gun holsters and other hunting supplies.
It is possible to craft any DIY products with real emu leather including wallets, wallets, business card holders, tablet covers, belts, clothes, shoes, bags and even outerwear.
Men’s briefcases and women’s bags made of this leather have long been considered durable and, indeed, prestigious products. Along with genuine crocodile or python leather goods, they top the list of the world’s most popular luxury accessories. In any case, real emu leather products look expensive and presentable.
Benefits
- Sturdiness;
- Softness;
- Flexibility;
- Heat-resistant;
- Easy to recognize;
- Nice and unique texture;
- Waterproof;
- Many colors are available;
- Good for applying natural/synthetic dyes;
Due to the listed characteristics, any products made with emu leather last much longer than products made from other types of raw materials.
Genuine emu leather is one of the most prestigious and exotic materials used to make various accessories. You should consider buying this material due to such benefits:
- High performance and design qualities made it, along with crocodile leather, the favorite material among leatherworkers;
- It is a very comfortable, lightweight luxury leather, but also solid and sturdy. Emu leather is characterized by its distinctive look, originating by the follicle patterns scattered uniformly across the hide (the so-called feather pins);
- Elegant and classic products made of emu leather resist drying well, do not crack, do not break and serve for a long time;
Care and maintenance
To retain the material’s softness and overall appearance, this exotic leather needs careful treatment. You should follow 2 simple steps to maintain its perfect condition:
1) Cleaning
Do you want to know how to take care of emu leather boots or bags? You should casually wipe off some dirt or dust with a gentle brush or wet cloth to clean the surface. Apply a thin coat of exotic leather conditioner and let it rinse after washing the ostrich leather boots. Then add the polish and buff the polish with a gentle rag. These are the basic guidelines for the daily care routine.
Keep in mind that emu leather is easily contaminated by the oils of human skin. As a consequence, it should be periodically washed with a special leather cleaner. For instance, Leather Honey Cleaner could be a good option because it is all-natural and soft, and efficient at removing the dirt, grime and oil on the leather surface.
2) Conditioning
Since natural emu leather no longer receives the animal’s moisture, it needs to be conditioned. For example, Leather Honey Conditioner made from only pure, non-toxic ingredients can provide the requisite moisture. Also, it won’t damage the leather product during conditioning. You should condition to maintain emu leather pieces smooth and perfect on a daily basis.
Store your emu leather product properly when you are not using it. The product should be covered from harm in storage by a soft, lint-free fabric bag or some white tissue paper. If you store it for a long time, condition it to guarantee that it has plenty of moisture when you are going to use it.
The correctly picked cleaner and conditioner for emu leather are crucial to maintaining the look and properties of this material. They will do so for maintaining a handbag, shoes or belt made of natural emu leather. Protect your favorite clothes of emu leather with the assistance of the specific products – for instance, you may pick the Leather Honey products.
Final thoughts
One of the best and most robust leathers is Emu leather. Featuring an unusual look from the large feather quill follicles, emu leather is comfortable, smooth, supple, and dense. Emu’s luxury leather is well-known for its softness, versatility and toughness.
