Question about veg tanned leather?

[Ace Lungger]

Howdy Pards,
  This as allways is a weird question?    I have noticed and hope that you pards that have messed with leather for a period of time, and explain what I am going to ask! In handling several different peices of leather, some leather on the grain side,  will feel like glass, and then you will have some that have a feel like it is very fine pebbles, but butt that isn't the right explaintion of what it realy is! I honestly can't come up with a word to explain how it is!
You can feel the difference, and it stamps different, and it stains different. once it is stained and dryed, it looks like it already has a sheen to it.But it is veg tanned I assume because it stamps good! I am aware that the leather we get comes from several places around the world, or I have heard that we get hides from seveal places! what i would like to know, is it the way it is processed or the type of leather it is, it seems like it is run threw some type of rollers that help it dry faster or something! this has to be a cheap leather, because you will never get that soft look!
I would be very great full if some of you all could explain this??
Thanks ACE

[Trailrider]

Howdy, Pard,
Veg-tanned leather is processed in many different factories, and some use different processes when finishing.  Sometimes even leather from the same DISTRIBUTOR will look different due to differences in their suppliers.  This is one reason that I go to Tandy/Leather Factory for my leather.  Not that it is always the best, but that I can hand-select EACH and every side.  Quality will vary considerably.  It is a PAIN IN THE *** sometimes to get two sides that are close in quality.  But, if I buy direct from another, out-of-town supplier, I have a minimum order to pay for and eat the shipping on sides returned for creat!