LEATHER IDENTIFICATION
It was being the most common problem in the mind of buyer that how to identify whether it is leather or synthetic. Here are common points for the buyer that one can identify easily.
Leather:
- It smells differently. The smell was not usual as it was a skin of a dead animal.
(For your ease ask for leather and synthetic at the same time and feel the difference.)
- Fibers on the flesh side (Back side) of leather.
- It absorb water if water dropped on the surface (for easy identification drop a water drop it will make the color dark)
- It has a natural shine.
- It has hair follicles (deep hole) when stretch (stretch from the tongue side to see the visible holes)
Synthetic:
- It has no such smell.
- It has woven thread visible on the flesh side (back side of leather)
- It doesn't absorb any amount of water.
- It has very glossy shine. (A kind of shine which will not give a natural look)
- It has no pores when stretch. (You will feel no hole even when too much stretch.)
Leather Type Identification
Full-Grain leather or Top-Grain
This type of leather refer to the upper section of a hide that contains the epidermis or skin layer. It refers to hides that have not been sanded, buffed or snuffed(otherwise known as Corrected) in order to remove imperfections on the surface of the hide. Only the hair has been removed from the epidermis. The grain remains in its natural state which will allow the best fiber strength, resulting in greater durability. The natural grain also has natural breathability, resulting in greater comfort for clothing. The natural Full-Grain surface will wear better than other leather. Rather than wearing out, it will develop a natural "Patina" and change it's appearance over time. The finest leather furniture and footwear are made from Full-Grain leather. For these reasons only the best raw hide are used in order to create Full-Grain or Top-Grain leather. Full grain leathers can mainly be bought as two finish types: aniline and semi-aniline.
Corrected-Grain leather
Any Top-Grain leather that has had its surfaces sanded, buffed or snuffed in order to remove any imperfection on the surface due to insect bites, healed scars or brands. Top-Grain leather is often wrongly referred to as Corrected-Grain. Although Corrected-Grain leather is made from Top-Grain as soon as the surface is corrected in any way the leather is no longer referred to as Top-Grain leather. The hides used to create corrected leather are hides of inferior quality that do not meet the high standards for use in creating aniline or semi-aniline leather. The imperfections are corrected and an artificial grain applied. Most corrected-grain leather is used to make pigmented leather as the solid pigment helps hide the corrections or imperfections. Corrected grain leathers can mainly be bought as two finish types: semi-aniline and pigmented.
Split leather
Leather that is created from the fibrous part of the hide left once the Top-Grain of the raw hide has been separated from the hide. During the splitting operation the grain and drop split are separated. The drop split can be further split (thickness allowing) into a middle split and a flesh split. In very thick hides the middle split can be separated into multiple layers until the thickness prevents further splitting. Split leather then has an artificial layer applied to the surface of the split and is embossed with a leather grain. A reversed suede is a grained leather that has been designed into the leather article with the grain facing away from the visible surface. It is not a true form of suede.
Semi-Aniline Leather
Protected leather, also known as "semi-aniline," features a pigmented finish for better stain protection and color consistency. With protected leather, the natural grain is still evident and the color and texture is noticeably uniform. Ideal for families with children and pets or for high-traffic areas, protected leather is the easiest to clean and care for.
Aniline
Aniline leathers are top quality natural leathers in which the actual surface grain markings of the true leather (hide) are visible. They have very little or no protective treatments applied. Natural leathers can be classified as Natural, Pure, & Un-Protected and are usually colored with a transparent leather dye. A variety of clear finishes such as oil, wax, nitrocellulose and urethane protective coatings, which do not inhibit the softness or breathing of leather, are applied to the surface. These finishes allow the natural leather markings to show through the finish. Aniline leathers require different cleaning procedures than protected leather due to its porous nature. Aniline leather is prone to sun fading.
Identifying characteristics: very easy to scratch; water drops will darken the color and then dry back to natural color.
Printed leathers
Any type of pattern/design placed onto the surface. The designs are embossed onto the leather surface under pressure and add to the character of the material, the structure of the leather is not affected. Oils and waxes are coated onto the surface of the leather to produce a tacky finish that gives improved grip. They can be used in many sports, e.g. American football gloves. Laminating leather to other materials is a means of creating a product that has unique properties. The properties can be varied by selecting different laminates with their own special properties.
Pigmented/Protected/Top Coated/Painted
This is the most common leather type used in furniture, approximately 90% of the market. This leather has a uniform appearance and color. The leather has an intense color and a definite pattern (grain). You cannot see any natural leather markings through the top coatings, because a pigmented leather paint coat is applied to the surface. It is then sealed with a durable finish. Properly maintained, this finish will provide years of cleaning ability and durability.
Identifying characteristics: uniform color and grain patterns; will not scratch easily; water drops will not change color.
NuBuck
These are natural Aniline leathers that have been surface brushed or buffed on the grain side of the leather creating a nap and leaving a texture similar to velvet (softess of all leathers to the touch). Usually Nubuck has a natural finish, but may have a light protective coat and a transparent leather dye for color. This process increases the leathers surface exposure making it extremely absorbent to body oils and soil, and difficult to clean effectively.
Identifying characteristics: very soft to the touch, will scratch or scuff very easily; water drops will darken the leather but it returns to its original color after drying.
Distressed Leather
Waxed leather, also known as "distressed leather," is covered with a layer of wax to create an antique, rugged look that ages gracefully over the years. Natural markings are apparent, and subtle color variations convey an impression of rustic beauty. Since waxed leather wears so well, it's well-suited for long-term, heavy usage.
