Skip to content 
8 types of leather
There are many different types of leather, each with its own unique characteristics and properties. Some common types of leather include:
Full grain leather
This is the highest quality and most expensive type of leather. It is made from the top layer of the hide and has not been sanded, buffed, or otherwise altered to remove imperfections. As a result, full grain leather retains all of its natural grain and is stronger and more durable than other types of leather.
Top grain leather
This type of leather is made from the top layer of the hide, but it has been sanded and buffed to remove imperfections and create a smoother finish. While it is not as strong or durable as full grain leather, it is still high quality and is often used in furniture, clothing, and accessories.
Corrected grain leather
This type of leather is made from lower quality hides that have been sanded and treated to remove imperfections. It is then embossed with a grain pattern to give it the appearance of full grain or top grain leather. Corrected grain leather is less durable and less expensive than full grain or top grain leather.
Split grain leather
This type of leather is made from the inner layers of the hide, which are split away from the top grain. It is generally lower quality and less durable than full grain or top grain leather, but it can be treated and finished to create a variety of different textures and colors.
Bonded leather
This type of leather is made from leather scraps that are ground up and bonded together with adhesive. It is generally of lower quality and is not as durable as other types of leather.
Patent leather
This type of leather is made from a type of treated leather that has a glossy, shiny finish. It is often used for dress shoes and other formal wear.
Suede
This type of leather is made from the inner layers of the hide and has a soft, velvety texture. It is less durable than other types of leather, but it is popular for its soft feel and is often used for clothing and accessories.
Nubuck
This type of leather is similar to suede, but it is made from the top grain of the hide and has a slightly rougher texture. It is more durable than suede, but it is still not as strong as full grain or top grain leather.
There are many other types of leather as well, including exotic leathers made from the hides of animals such as snakes, crocodiles, and alligators. Each type of leather has its own unique properties and characteristics, and the best choice for a particular application will depend on the specific needs and requirements of the user.
4 grades of leather
Leather is a durable and flexible material made from the hide of animals. It is used in a variety of products, including clothing, furniture, and accessories. There are four main grades of leather, which are categorized based on the quality and characteristics of the hide.
Top grain leather
Top grain leather is the highest quality grade of leather. It is made from the top layer of the hide, which has been sanded and finished to remove any imperfections. This type of leather is strong, durable, and has a natural grain pattern that is visible on the surface. It is also the most expensive grade of leather.
Full grain leather
Full grain leather is the second highest quality grade of leather. It is made from the top layer of the hide, but it has not been sanded or finished to remove any imperfections. This type of leather has a natural grain pattern and may have scars, wrinkles, or other blemishes on the surface. Full grain leather is strong and durable, and it is often considered to be the most authentic and natural type of leather.
Corrected grain leather
Corrected grain leather is a lower quality grade of leather. It is made from the lower layers of the hide, which have been sanded and finished to remove imperfections. This type of leather is typically not as strong or durable as top grain or full grain leather, and it may not have a natural grain pattern. Corrected grain leather is often coated with a finish to give it a uniform appearance.
Split leather
Split leather is the lowest grade of leather. It is made from the lower layers of the hide that have been split from the top grain. This type of leather is weaker and less durable than other grades of leather, and it is often used for inexpensive products such as belts and wallets. Split leather may be coated with a finish to give it a more uniform appearance and to improve its durability.
In summary, the four grades of leather are top grain, full grain, corrected grain, and split leather. Top grain leather is the highest quality and most expensive, while split leather is the lowest quality and least expensive. Full grain and corrected grain leather fall somewhere in between these two grades in terms of quality and price.
How to tell real leather from fake
Fake leather, also known as synthetic leather or imitation leather, is a material that is made to look and feel like leather, but it is not made from animal hide. It is often used as a cheaper alternative to real leather in products such as clothing, furniture, and accessories. There are several ways to tell the difference between real leather and fake leather:
- Look at the surface of the material. Real leather has a natural grain pattern that is unique to each piece of hide. Fake leather may have a grain pattern printed or embossed onto the surface, but it will not look as natural as real leather.
- Feel the material. Real leather is smooth and supple to the touch, while fake leather may feel stiff or plastic-like.
- Check the edges of the material. Real leather will have a natural, unfinished edge, while fake leather may have a straight, finished edge that looks like it has been cut with a machine.
- Check the back of the material. Real leather will have a suede-like texture on the back, while fake leather may have a smooth or fabric-like texture.
- Look for a leather smell. Real leather has a distinctive, natural smell that is difficult to replicate in fake leather.
- Check the price. Real leather is generally more expensive than fake leather, so if the price seems too good to be true, it may be a sign that the product is made from fake leather.
- Look for labeling. Many products made from real leather will be labeled as such, while products made from fake leather may not be labeled or may be labeled as “synthetic” or “imitation” leather.
In summary, there are several ways to tell the difference between real leather and fake leather. Real leather has a natural grain pattern, is smooth and supple to the touch, has an unfinished edge, has a suede-like texture on the back, has a distinctive smell, and is generally more expensive. Fake leather may have a printed or embossed grain pattern, feel stiff or plastic-like, have a finished edge, have a smooth or fabric-like texture on the back, lack a leather smell, and be less expensive.
