Abstract: In this paper, seven kinds of vegetable tanned carvings from different producing areas were used as research objects. The hand-engraving and experimental contrasting forms were applied to analyze the leather water-absorbing, knife resistance, softness and color fastness. The applied results indicated that there were large different properties between different leather materials. Among them, the engraved skin from Japan was also prominent in water absorption and knife resistance, but its elasticity was poor, the effect of picking and edge-trimming keeps general properties. It can produce obvious discoloration, which was more suitable for the expression of bas-relief.The engraved skin from Brazil had the best resilience, and the effect of picking and edge was the most obvious.And the softness was moderate, which was more suitable for the expression of three-dimensional relief. The engraved skins from Italy, England, American were suitable for general carving.