What Is Bag Hardware And What Are The Main Types?
The unsung heroes of leatherwork, and bag hardware details rarely take center stage. But the subtle changes these finishing touches bring to a product inevitably detract from the overall aesthetic, and too much of a good thing can make the final look overworked and ill-considered.
What Is Bag Hardware And What Are The Main Types?
Hardware can be as simple or as difficult as you want it to be. When you break it down, hardware is a plastic or metal attachment that has a specific function: clip, snap, rotate, hook, grab, loop. You name it, and you can find it.
Since I only use metal bag hardware, I will focus on that.
There are 84 metals on the periodic table of elements. The metals you and I are familiar with are actually alloys; combinations of two metals to add strength or resistance to corrosion. These are two very important things to consider when using the right hardware, which unfortunately is usually not the case.
Imagine the possibilities of alloys, which have 84 metals. The combinations can be infinite.
The four main construction metals used to make leather accessory hardware are zinc, copper, nickel, and iron.
Stainless Steel Bag O Ring
The 5 main hardware alloys we are familiar with are
Stainless steel
Brass
Copper
Zinc
Nickel
Stainless Steel
Stainless steel will not corrode, rust or stain and is very strong, making it a premium material. It costs a lot, but it's more reliable. If you want a silver finish, you can find the style of hardware you are looking for and have the money to invest.
Brass
Brass is very strong and corrosion-resistant, which is why it is used in marine applications. It also starts out as a beautiful alloy that acquires a beautiful copper green color over time. It's a win-win.
Ceramic D Ring
Copper
Copper is primarily used for rivets and specialty hardware. It is very resistant to corrosion and will look like the Statue of Liberty for years to come. It's costly, but it will last a lifetime, so it's worth the investment. It is malleable, which can be a good thing, but keep your application in mind. Do you want to use it as a spring hook? Keep the copper as a decorative rivet to capture the traditional lifestyle. Your item will have a classic American look and will stand the test of time.
Zinc
Often found in zinc die castings. Zinc was developed in the 1820s. It is one of the older metals that we have learned to extract and manipulate, and it can tell you a lot about its qualities. It is a rough metal. It does not age well and is not very forgiving of constant wear and tear. It is very lightweight, so when you pick up a piece of zinc hardware in one hand and the same piece of steel hardware in the other, you will notice the difference. If you use zinc hardware, it won't last very long and can damage your customers and your brand reputation.
It is the most recyclable metal and will maintain 90-95% availability.
Nickel
Nickel is a rare metal that is commonly used to plate other materials such as zinc or brass. It is also a component of other alloys, such as stainless steel. When looking at nickel plated hardware, check the type of metal it is plated with.
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