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Smooth Ostrich vs Full Quill: Which One for Cowboy Boots?
Ostrich is one of the most popular exotic leather choices for cowboy boots. There is more than one type of ostrich leather – smooth ostrich vs full quill – being the one we will review here. So how do you choose between these and what are the pros and cons?
Each one of these different ostrich leathers have their own unique characteristics. Depending on your own personal style and preferences one or the other may hold more appeal to you. In the paragraphs that follow we will look at some of the key features of each type of ostrich leather and some differences and benefits of each.
Let’s start things off by taking a look at full quill ostrich leather. What is full quill ostrich anyway? Full quill ostrich leather is distinguished by its distinctive “bump” pattern, which is created by the feathers of the ostrich. When creating full quill ostrich boots the leather comes from the crown of the ostrich hide which is where the quill pattern is most in prominence. This gives full quill leather a pronounced and eye-catching texture. Full quill boots are generally considered a more high end option compared to smooth ostrich. This leather is not only visually appealing and different, but also comfortable and durable.
Next up for us here is smooth ostrich leather. Smooth ostrich leather in contrast is made from areas of the ostrich hide that don’t contain many, or any, of the distinctive quill bumps. Generally, you will have some quill bumps scattered in, but far fewer in comparison to the full quill. Smooth ostrich leather generally has a more shiny, dressier appearance and can give the impression of a softer, more supple touch. Going with smooth ostrich cowboy boots can be a great choice when you’re looking to dip your toe into exotic leathers and go for a more subtle exotic choice that still offers durability, comfort, and style.
Smooth Ostrich and Full Quill: An Overview
Origin and Species Differences
Ok, so how do these differences arise and how do they make it into my cowboy boots?
Ostrich leather comes to us from the African ostrich, a species whose leather is known for its unique skin patterns and luxurious feel. The key differences for us to be concerned with between smooth and full quill ostrich leather really are in the leather appearance and what part of the ostrich’s body is used when making the leather.
Leather Characteristics
Full Quill Ostrich Leather:
- Full quill ostrich leather is known for its distinctive, bumpy appearance with visible, large quill follicles.
- This type of leather comes from the ostrich’s body’s central portion, where the quills are the most pronounced.
- Full quill ostrich leather is generally more expensive due to its unique texture and appearance which drives market demand.
Smooth Ostrich Leather:
- Smooth ostrich leather generally lacks the distinct quill markings, giving it a more subtle look. There will usually be a few quills, (not always), but nothing comparable those in a full quill leather.
- This type of leather is sourced from areas where the quills are less pronounced.
- Smooth ostrich leather cowboy boots and other products are usually less expensive than comparable full quill ostrich leather cowboy boots and products.
Comparing ostrich leather characteristics there are also several areas where both full quill and smooth ostrich leather have some things in common:
- Durability: Ostrich leather is a durable leather that can have good longevity with proper care and conditioning.
- Comfort: Ostrich leather has a soft, luxurious feel, making it a comfortable choice for an exotic leather and one of the many reasons for its popularity.
- Unique patterns: As all the types of ostrich will have some variation in the quill follicles and varying degrees of smoothness between each hide, ostrich leather offers a unique look with each boot looking a little bit different and unique as part of its natural variations.
Leather Production and Usage
Smooth Ostrich Tanning Process
During the tanning process of smooth ostrich leather, the main focus will be on the smooth areas of the ostrich hide, avoiding the full quill regions. The process starts by removing the feathers and fat from the skin. Then the hide is washed and soaked in a mixture of water and chemicals to open up the fibers for proper absorption of the tanning agents.
The leather will be carefully treated with the appropriate tanning chemicals to ensure a supple, soft, and durable finished product. After the leather has been tanned and dyed, it is flattened and smoothed during the drying process to achieve a consistent smooth surface.
Full Quill Tanning Process
Looking at the full quill tanning process it is quite similar to the smooth ostrich tanning process. The key difference is on focusing on the parts of the ostrich hide where we find the distinctive quill pattern. The focus will be on selecting the prime parts of the ostrich’s back where the large and uniform feather marks are present. In doing so you will obtain a higher quality and more visually appealing full quill leather.
After that, the full quill hides undergo basically the same cleansing, soaking, and tanning processes before being dyed in a variety of colors. After the tanning process is completed, you’ll have a beautiful, bumpy, and patterned leather that showcases the unique characteristics of the ostrich hide.
Common Applications
Ostrich leather, both smooth and full quill, is well made for a variety of applications due to its durability, breathability, and good looking appearance. Common uses for ostrich leather can include:
- Footwear: No surprise here, but cowboy boots made from ostrich leather are a popular choice.
- Handbags and Wallets: Ostrich leather’s distinctive texture and high-quality feel also make it a choice option for handbags, wallets, and other small leather goods.
- Fashion Accessories: Belts, watch straps, and other similar accessories made from ostrich leather can provide a distinctive and complementary touch to your wardrobe.
Factors Affecting Quality and Price
Grade Determination
As you could expect from what we’ve discussed so far, the quality and price of an ostrich leather is largely determined by the presence of and distribution of the quill marks on the hide. The age of the ostrich and the portion of the hide used when the leather is can all impact the size and the pattern of the quill bumps. Accordingly, full quill ostrich leather can vary in appearance and quality even among the same grade.
Market Appeal and Price
Full quill hides and related products are generally more expensive than hides with fewer quills or smooth leathers.
Full Quill vs Smooth Ostrich – Summing It All Up
Full Quill:
- Has more of the distinctive ostrich leather quill marks
- Generally more expensive than smooth quill
- Offers a more eye catching and exotic look
Smooth Quill:
- Has fewer quill marks and a more smooth and uniform surface
- Typically less expensive when compared to full quill ostrich leather
- Provides a slightly shinier, dressier feel and appearance
As you can see, whether you choose full quill or smooth ostrich leather cowboy boots you can expect to have a similar amount of durability and comfort. What you will want to decide on is what you want your boots to look like. Will you go with a more eye catching and conversation starting full quill or fly under the radar with a beautiful pair of full quill boots. I have pairs of both and am a big fan of ostrich, varying my wear based on the occasion. How does ostrich compare to another exotic like caiman?
You can watch a Youtube video that is based on a summary of this article by going here: https://youtu.be/dS73gmx-Dsg