The Beauty of Patina

I joke with my fiance that if we have a daughter, we could name her Patina.  Even though I am joking, it does sound like a good name right?  RIGHT?!

Besides just being a word fit to name your child, patina is something beautiful that develops in quality leather goods (as well as other material).  What exactly is patina?  Well the dictionary definition breaks it down this way:

• a film or incrustation, usually green, produced by oxidation on the surface of old bronze and often esteemed as being of ornamental value.
• a similar film or coloring appearing gradually on some other substance.
• a surface calcification of implements, usually indicating great age.                                                                                                                                                                                *Definitions from dictionary.com

For leather in particular, I would say it is when a leather good takes on elements of its owner.  The color of a pair of boots darkens because the person spends much of their time in the sun, the edges and back of a belt take on indigo from the owner's raw denim jeans, and a satchel picks up scratches from being tossed around all the time.  A nicely developed patina on a leather product will make the item more beautiful as it ages, not uglier.  

For us denimheads, patina in leather is similar to the fades we work so hard for in our raw denim clothing.  Patina, just like the fades on your jeans, helps tell your life story.

It is important to note that not all leather goods develop patina equally.  Most any kind of leather that is not full-grain will not patina.  Not only are you spending a little more for quality, you are also getting something that will be more personal.  You are getting a product that tells others who you are, reminds you where you have been, and what you've done throughout your life.

Some examples of developing patina below:

My Dakota Leather Satchel by Portland Leather Goods.
Brand new on the right, after lots of use on the left.

My Big Dude Wallet & Braided Lanyard made by JC Leatherworks.  Brand new on the right, aging nicely on the left.

My J & FJ Baker Oak Tanned Leather Belt made by Carmine Jack Leather. 
Brand new on the right, after some heavy wear with raw denim and being through several thunderstorms on the left.