There are different types of leather, and we’re not talking about the “style” or the “feel” of the leather, we’re talking about the terms “full-grain” and/or “top-grain” leather. These types of leather determine the quality of the product, but many consumers don’t know what they mean. A lot of people look for “Genuine” leather, which is a catchall term that’s used for anything that has leather in it. Genuine leather, in terms of quality, is one of the lowest quality leather types available. While we don’t have anything against companies that make Genuine Leather, at Shamus, we only use Full-Grain or Top-Grain leathers.
Here are the five common grades of leather:
- Full-grain leather
- Top-grain leather
- Split-grain leather
- Genuine leather*
- Bonded leather*
*Although they’re not technically leather grades, these terms in the leather industry have become widely used among consumers today. You may also come across a material called “corrected grain leather,” which is leather that has had its grain smoothed with abrasives.
Since we don’t use Split, Genuine, or Bonded leather, this article is going to focus entirely on the types of leathers we use – Full Grain and Top Grain.
Where it Comes From
The difference between full-grain and top-grain leather could not be clearer when you first touch, look, and feel a leather product.
Full-Grain is made from the most desirable part of an animal, which includes all its natural markings; it’s tough yet soft at once with rich colors that darken over time due to exposure in nature’s elements like moisture or sun heat! Top-Grain has had some layers peeled off after being processed into a smoother finish but still maintains the same qualities of a Full-Grain leather in terms of durability.
Quality of the Leather
As I mentioned above, the best type of leather is full-grain. It comes from the highest grade of hide and includes all of the natural markings and imperfections of the leather. This is the most expensive type of leather you can buy. Top-grain is a little bit more affordable than full-grain, but the quality is almost the same.
Leather Durability
Talking about Durability, both – full & top grain – are extremely durable, will last you years, and will age into beautiful patinas. But in general, Full-Grain is slightly more durable than Top-Grain because it has not been buffed or sanded to remove imperfections. Full-Grain leathers still have fibers in the hide. Even if it you scratch Full-Grain leathers, it makes the product look better with time.
In order for a tannery to make Top-Grain leather, they have to sand off the strong fibers in the top. They’re a little more sensitive to scratches, and they do require you to properly care for it. You can purchase leather balm to care for your product or add leather waxes to create a barrier.
Aging of the Leather
Top-Grain leather has a finishing coat that helps protect it against stains. Full-Grain products will show wear over time much faster than Top Grain. This is due to the natural fibers that are present in Full-Grain leather. These fibers help give the product its strength, but they can also break down over time and stain. Since Full-Grain leathers don’t have a coating for protection, Full-Grain leather that starts in an orange color will turn dark brown over time. This is typically called “Patina” and is one of the most sought-after qualities in a Full-Grain leather product.
