Eel skin offers a distinctive appeal in various industries. Despite its name, the material commonly referred to as “eel skin” is typically sourced from the hagfish, a type of jawless fish, rather than true eels.
Distinctive Qualities of Eel Skin
Eel skin’s properties stem primarily from the Pacific Hagfish, a species abundant in regions like South Korea and Japan, where it is also a food source. The hagfish skin is remarkably supple yet strong, providing exceptional flexibility that allows it to bend without creasing.
The surface of eel skin presents a smooth texture with a distinctive ribbed or pinstripe pattern, due to the presence of side fins. This texture, combined with a natural sheen, contributes to its luxurious appearance. The material is also lightweight, yet boasts significant durability, reported to be two to three times stronger than ordinary leather of comparable thickness. The tanning process for hagfish skin is often gentle, preserving its inherent qualities and contributing to its iridescent effect.
Everyday Applications
Eel skin’s qualities make it a favored material in fashion and luxury sectors. Its thinness, typically ranging from 0.2 mm to 0.3 mm, combined with its strength, makes it suitable for items requiring elegance and resilience. Manufacturers often sew multiple small eel skins together to create larger panels. A single panel might comprise over 70 individual skins, meticulously joined to form a cohesive sheet, often measuring around 2 by 5 feet.
This material is frequently crafted into small accessories such as wallets and handbags, where its aesthetic and soft feel contribute to a luxurious appeal. Beyond accessories, eel skin is also utilized for larger fashion items, including belts, shoes, jackets, pants, and skirts. Its ability to stretch and its ease of workability enhance its appeal for garment construction.
Maintaining Eel Skin Products
Proper care preserves the qualities and extends the lifespan of eel skin products. Regular cleaning helps prevent dirt and grime accumulation, ideally performed about three times a year or as needed. For routine dusting, a soft, dry cloth, such as microfiber, can gently wipe away surface debris. For more targeted cleaning, a lightly dampened cloth with mild soap can be used, ensuring not to over-saturate the material.
After cleaning, blot any excess moisture with a dry cloth and allow the item to air dry completely in a cool, indoor area, away from direct sunlight or heat sources. Eel skin is not inherently water-resistant, and prolonged exposure to moisture can lead to discoloration or weakening. Conditioning is also beneficial to maintain softness; a cream-based leather conditioner can be gently applied and then blotted off after about fifteen minutes. When storing eel skin items, placing them in a breathable dust bag in a cool, dry location helps protect against dust and maintain shape, especially for bags and shoes which can be lightly stuffed with paper to prevent creasing.