Types of Leather and How to Tell

Full-grain leather
This type of leather is crafted from the outer layer of the hide which makes full-grain the most expensive leather of all time. It is known to have an outstanding quality even though it is not buffed, sanded and snuffed. Hide marks give leather bags made from full grain leather a unique and natural-looking design.

Top-grain leather
Top-grain leather is the second best leather after full-grain. This type of leather resembles full-grain leather more than any other leather. The main difference from full grain is that top-grain is buffed and sanded to remove any flaws and irregularities making it smooth, softer and more pliant when made into leather bags or shoes.

Genuine leather
This cut is the lowest quality out of all types of leathers.While genuine leather can be sanded, dyed and buffed to remove any imperfections, it doesn’t last long like the other high quality leathers. Genuine leather is usually used in belts, lower-price shoes, bags and other products.

Split leather (Suede)
Split leather was made from the middle layer of the hide called the “corium”. It is the thickest part of the hide. This type of leather is much more fragile and has many imperfections. It is not as useful compared to full-grain and top-grain leathers. However with proper leather treatments, split leather still can be durable and attractive as a leather bag material.

Bonded leather
This type of leather is made of both original and fake leather leftovers. Bonded together using a polyurethane or latex onto a fiber mesh. With a proper treatment, such as embossing, painting or coloring, bonded leather can prove to be stylish and tasteful. Bonded leather is affordable and is commonly used in making furniture.

Not all leathers are made equally or similar to each other, they do still have different flexibility, grain pattern and smell.

1. Check the label. “Man-made leather” is usually vinyl or some other material. Real leather is more expensive than fake or faux leather.
2. Look closely. Most top quality or grades of leathers are often well built and not easily bent or misshaped. Lather is made of natural skin, it may not feel or look perfectly smooth. If it is unnaturally even, it may be faux leather.
3. Smell it. Real leather has a distinctive leathery smell. There is no reliable way to fake the smell of leather. 

Full-grain leather
Full-grain leather is the most popular amongst the rest of different types of leather because of its natural characteristics and resilience. Despite not being polished or smoothed, full-grain leather will still give off outstanding quality and naturally smooth texture. It will definitely give a luxurious but durable feel.

Cowhide leather
Cowhide leather is considered as one of the highest quality of leather available and mostly used in making leather handbags because of its aesthetic appearance and outstanding durability. 

Cowhide leather
MDBM uses recycled leather to lessen the excessive production-pollution or leather waste in our environment. MDBM ensures that the products we make are simple yet sophisticated pieces that can withstand the test of time. We transform recycled leather through exquisite craftsmanship to give you leather bags that are high quality, long-lasting, waterproof, and dust-resistant.