In daily life, leather products have become an indispensable part of us. Whether it’s bags, shoes, or clothing, many are made of leather. However, leather comes in two types: genuine leather and synthetic leather. With the improvement of technology, many synthetic leathers now look almost identical to genuine leather. But genuine leather is more expensive and performs better. If you’re not good at distinguishing between them, you might end up paying genuine leather prices for synthetic leather, which would be a real loss. Today, let’s share a few methods for how to identify full grain leather. If you’re not sure, just follow along with me!
First, let’s understand what genuine leather is and what synthetic leather is. Genuine leather is made from animal skin through processing. It has natural textures and a distinct smell, and it’s soft, breathable, warm, and more durable. Synthetic leather, on the other hand, is artificially synthesized from chemical materials. Its texture is relatively hard, and it lacks the natural textures and smell of genuine leather. In fact, when distinguishing between genuine leather and synthetic leather, we can use their characteristics to tell them apart.
First Point: Look at the Texture (How to Identify Full Grain Leather)
As we all know, genuine leather is made from animal hide, so it’s similar to human skin. If we observe our own skin, we’ll notice many pores, which vary in size and shape, with no regular pattern. So when distinguishing, we can also observe whether there are many pores on the leather. If the pores are of varying sizes and irregular shapes, then it’s genuine leather. Conversely, since synthetic leather is man-made, it doesn’t have pores. Even if it does, these pores are arranged in a very regular pattern. Additionally, we can fold or squeeze the leather with our hands. Genuine leather has excellent elasticity, so the creases disappear quickly after folding. But if it’s synthetic leather, the rebound is slower, and the creases don’t fade easily. From this point, we can determine whether it’s genuine leather.
Second Point: Smell the Odor (How to Identify Full Grain Leather)
When buying leather products, we can also smell them. Genuine leather, after processing, still retains some of the natural smell of animal hide. However, this smell becomes very faint or even undetectable after processing. On the other hand, synthetic leather is made from chemical products, so it has a strong, pungent chemical smell or a plastic-like odor. So when buying leather products, if you smell an odor, it’s not genuine leather but synthetic leather.
Third Point: Check Water Absorption (How to Identify Full Grain Leather – Just a Drop of Water!)
To distinguish between genuine leather and synthetic leather, we can also use the water drop test. Simply drop a drop of water on the leather product and observe. Genuine leather has better breathability, so it has water absorption. When a water drop falls on the leather, it will slowly seep into the material. Conversely, synthetic leather is not breathable. If you drop water on it, there will be no absorption, and the water drop will remain intact on the surface. Through the water drop test, we can easily determine whether it’s genuine leather.
Fourth Point: Feel It (How to Identify Full Grain Leather)
To distinguish between genuine leather and synthetic leather, we can also feel the texture of the leather. Genuine leather is softer and more elastic, giving a more pleasant tactile sensation. Synthetic leather, being artificially synthesized, has a harder texture. Although it’s smooth, it doesn’t feel elastic, similar to touching plastic. Moreover, if you press it, it will immediately create a dent with very slow rebound.
By following these methods, you can confidently identify full grain leather and avoid being tricked into buying fake leather products. Remember, just a drop of water can reveal the truth!