How to purchase genuine leather

You are thinking of treating yourself to a leather good but aren't sure how to figure out exactly the kind of leather that you want. There can be a bigger problem of being scammed or having to buy fake leather. Well put those concerns aside and let's dive straight into finding out how to buy the right kind of leather products. Before we look at all the steps it's also important to know why it's important to know the difference between these products. 

Types of leather

There are four main kinds of leather in the leather world which are distinguished by several qualities to make it easier to find the high grade leather. Let's explore in depth what these grades mean and what are the criteria to fit into these brackets.

Full-grain leather

The first kind and the leather with the highest quality is called the full grain leather, this grade can be figured out by the luxurious smooth finish and it is the most sought after leather, It has not been snuffed or buffed to remove any natural marks or imperfections from its surface. Its fibres are stable and durable because the grain has not been removed. There is very less moisture content in these kinds of leathers.  

Full grain leather doesn't wear out easily and it is one of the best qualities you can own. Instead, it develops a patina, which is a thin layer that protects the leather from damage from wearing or corroding; it also gives the leather a fully  aesthetic look. It is used in making high-quality footwear and furniture.

Check out our range of full-grain leather products

Top-grain leather

The second kind of leather is the top grain leather which is the second best kind of leather available in the market. It is thinner. Its surface is sanded, and a finish coat is added to make it less breathable. Also, it develops a patina that protects it from damage and corrosion making it last longer. It has better stain resistance and is less expensive than full-grain leather. 

Corrected grain leather

The corrected grain leather is a very unique kind of leather, it is formed by correcting the imperfections in the leather.  It is a special type of leather, which is corrected and fixed by experienced people. It has great functionality and aesthetic qualities. The Hides used in making it do not meet the required standards in making aniline and vegetable-tanned leather. An artificial grain has been embossed on the top and dressed-out using dyes and/or stains. Imperfections are  sanded off and then following that it is corrected. 

How to purchase genuine leather?

Now how do we know we're purchasing genuine leather and not fake? Let's look at some steps to be sure at all times.

1. Look for keywords

The foolproof way of finding out whether or not the leather is genuine is to find obvious signs where it states that it is man made. Although a pre-loved leather product might have lost the tag, manufacturers usually mention keywords or proof that it is genuine leather. The keywords to look for when searching for original leather goods are:

• Made with animal products
• Genuine leather
• Real leather
• Top/Full grain leather

2. There will be imperfections

The interesting thing about leather is that since it's an animal product, imperfections are a good sign. Always look for slight imperfections like pores. Leather is supposed to be random and unique, if the surface looks perfect and all the pieces look similar, that is an indication of a machine made product. 

3. Check for wrinkles

Another way to find out is to press down on the leather goods, real leather will wrinkle down and create an impression. This is also a very simple way to figure out if you're dealing with real leather.

4. Smell the leather

Picking out a real leather product is easier done in person due to the look and feel ability, another way you can check for real leather is to smell the leather product. If the smell entails a musty smell, then you can be sure that this is real leather made from animal product. If it is a counterfeit product you'll be able to smell the plastic smell coming from it. 

5. Fire test

The fire test is a very controversial test to do as it can ruin a slight part of the product, but several manufacturers around the world do this to prove to their customers that they are in fact getting the real product. The way you need to do the fire test is to take a lighter and bring the flame close to the leather product, hold the flame for 4-5 minutes, if it is real leather it will smell like burnt hair.  Faux leather will just smell like burning plastic.

6. Water test

There are several other ways to find out by pouring a tiny droplet of water on top of the leather product, real leather will always absorb the water and fake leather won't. You can also check the edges to see if it is real leather or not.

These are some sure shot ways to figure out if you have genuine leather or not, next time you want to purchase leather. Another simple way would be to visit www.deniva.in and make a purchase while being assured of a quality product.