What makes leather good quality or bad quality? does bad quality leather have to be oiled more often?

Strength and flexibility.





Poor quality leather can start with an inferior hide - like water buffalo - or result from inferior tanning. If it's weak, you can't improve it. If it's stiff, conditioning may help, but it'll need to be done frequently.





Poor quality leather may crack and flake with use, and won't last as long as good leather.What makes leather good quality or bad quality? does bad quality leather have to be oiled more often?
First off, good leather will break in easily and last a very long time. It is usually more durable, however it is also softer and can adhere to more scuff marks than bad quality leather but can usually be oiled/cleaned out/off. They dye in the leather will usually stay put rather than rub off when it is cleaned. Bad quality leather will take forever to break it, be VERY stiff and not last as long no matter how much you clean/oil it. It also needs more care/work in order for it to look and feel nice. It also has a much lower resale value if you ever had to sell it for any particular reason. They dye also may rub off easier when you clean it because the dye sits ontop of the leather rather than actually in the leather.What makes leather good quality or bad quality? does bad quality leather have to be oiled more often?
The starting quality of the hide and the method of tanning. Oak tanning is the top of the trade. We get the term 'tanning' from the TANNIC ACID derived from tree bark and the wood by soaking/leeching in water.





In countries south of us and the middle east/Mediterranean areas, the lack of our resources requires alternative methods. The acid content of urine takes the place of tannic acid.





Inferior leather does require more maintenance, unfortunately


it doesn't improve it. ';You can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear'; is the literal truth here. Get the best quality you can afford, it's cheaper in the long run.