Metallic leather is certainly one of the most beautiful aesthetically pleasing leathers.
Let’s start from the positive aspects, as already mentioned surely one of the most positive aspects, is to donate shine to gloves, and consequently make them almost similar to a jewel, unfortunately however this is the only positive aspect.
However, in the production of boxing equipment, and in particular for boxing gloves, it has its positive aspects and its negative aspects.
The negative aspects are different, from the fact that it is a leather that cannot be cured at all, since no protective cream for the care of the leather can be absorbed by this type of material, to reach the problem of the loss of the metallic effect, in early times.
However, to understand better, we analyze an analysis of how these leathers are tanned and made, so as to understand the causes of the negative aspects listed.
First of all, this type of leather undergoes a complete tanning process that is different from that which occurs for normal pastel colors, since the latter totally absorb the color, which is fixed by a subsequent phase, and it is practically impossible that this vanish over time.
The metalized leather is tanned, possibly of a dark color, then it goes into the sandblasting phase, from which it is sprayed with a reticulated resin, on which a film is applied which then will give the leather the metallic effect.
Obviously, being only a tanning, if we can call it that, simply applied on the surface of the leather, after the intense use of the product, this metallic effect tends to fade.
I always recommend using metallized leather in the back of the boxing glove, and not in the front, obviously a much more stressed area during the use of the glove.
But if instead you are a lover of vintage, I advise you instead to use this leather also to produce the entire pair of gloves, when the metallic effect will begin to fade you will have in your hands a piece of art of enormous charm and beauty, with a further positive aspect, you can easily start treating your gloves with a special cream for the leather, as at that point it will be completely absorbed by the material, giving the glove shine and beauty.
Di Nardo