KTMK Leather Studio

WHAT IS FULL GRAIN LEATHER?

If you’re looking for high quality leather, you should be looking for full grain leather. Full grain leather keeps the entire grain of the animal’s hide intact. Made with the entire grain of an animal’s hide offers exceptional durability. A full grain leather piece will last significantly longer than one made with a lower grade of leather.

Beyond the unbeatable quality, full grain leather is also absolutely gorgeous. Each piece features natural imperfections that make it unique. The feel and appearance of full grain leather even improves over time. A  patina develops over the surface as the leather ages giving it a buttery soft feel.

WHAT IS GENUINE LEATHER?

Despite how the name makes it sound, genuine leather is not a top-quality leather product. The truth is that genuine leather is among the lowest grades of leather. The marketing term ‘genuine leather’ was developed to make customers believe they were purchasing a high-quality leather product.

However, in reality, genuine leather goods are simply made using some real leather. Rather than a full piece of an animal’s hide, these products are made using small scraps and pieces of leather that are placed between pieces of plastic and sewn together.

As you can probably guess, the resulting product does not match the quality or performance of full grain leather, or even top grain leather. It is nowhere near as durable, will not form a patina as it ages, and does not bear the unique markings and grain you’ll find with full grain leather. Because the pieces of leather are sewn together, the stitching is likely to deteriorate and cause the piece to fall apart. 

So, while genuine leather is technically leather, it is not a good option if you’re looking for a leather item that will look great and last for years to come.

GENUINE VS FULL GRAIN LEATHER: WHICH SHOULD YOU CHOOSE?

Ultimately, the choice of what to spend your money on is up to you. However, we think that there should be no debate between genuine leather products and full grain leather products. As a low quality leather, any pieces you purchase that are labeled genuine leather are not likely to last very long. They also won’t look anywhere near as attractive as a full grain leather product. On the other hand, a full grain leather purse, wallet, journal, shoes, or any other item will be highly durable, long-lasting, and beautiful.