Will oil-wax leather crack over time? Which is better: oil-wax leather or crazy horse leather? Both are widely used for bags and are often compared by consumers.

Will oil-wax leather crack over time?

You should avoid getting oil-wax leather wet in the rain. Genuine leather absorbs moisture, and rainwater can damage its pigment layer. Sudden exposure to strong sunlight after rain causes rapid heating and expansion, making the leather brittle and prone to cracking—especially since the surface chemical pigments are easily damaged. Genuine leather products require careful maintenance, as they are susceptible to scratches.

Oil-wax leather naturally has a polished finish. It performs well under normal friction from clothing or bags. However, excessive sweat or intense physical activity can increase friction and affect the surface.

Which is better: oil-wax leather or crazy horse leather?

Both are excellent. They belong to the same product family, and crazy horse leather is actually a type of oil-wax leather. The main difference is that some oil-wax leather has a glossy surface. Both are natural leathers with minimal surface covering.

Oil-wax leather

Oil-wax leather is produced through a specialized tanning process that differs from standard leather starting from the wet processing stage.

While ordinary leather mainly uses chrome tanning, vegetable tanning or aldehyde tanning, oil-wax leather uses oil tanning. After tanning and dyeing, the leather is soft, highly elastic and strong.

Oil-based and wax-feel hand modifiers are applied during finishing, making it ideal for apparel, luggage and leather goods.

Oil-wax leather develops character over time: it becomes more beautiful with use, and its gloss improves gradually.

Crazy horse leather

Crazy horse leather is a short name for a specific leather production technique. It is often called “crazy cow leather” in Taiwan and oil-soaked leather in mainland China.

It has a smooth feel and shows color changes when pressed. Made primarily from top-grain cowhide, it is classified as medium-to-high grade leather.

With its random, rustic surface, strong genuine leather texture and color-shifting effect, crazy horse leather is regarded as a high-end material. It is especially popular for luxury bags, belts and footwear. Its excellent flexibility makes it particularly suitable for high-grade belts.

Crazy horse leather products sell much better overseas, especially in Europe, America and Japan, where consumers highly appreciate its style.

It features natural scratches but becomes increasingly glossy with use and is considered a premium leather material.