While going out shopping for leather products there is a basic distinction between real leather and bonded leather that must be considered. Whether it is a jacket, a couch, or a car seat, the difference in leather means not only in the appearance and feel of the product but its durability. At Natural Jackets we are very precise with quality, we provide a variety of quality leather products, which ensures that you get value for your money and get to enjoy quality highly durable luxury goods. If you need a good leather jacket full grain, any other number of high-end leather apparel, or any other fine clothing apparel, then Natural Jackets is the place to turn to those who want quality products that will stand the test of time. It is now time to look into the types of leather and how they can be distinguished from each other as well as how they differ in terms of their characteristics.
What Is Genuine Leather?
Real leather is the skin of an animal and in most cases animal or cattle, it is then tanned and treated in a way that makes it strong and usable. As much as define genuine leather means real leather it is important to recognize with Faux Real that this type of sheep skin is not the best of the Leathers. The factory of full-grain leather is located on the second level of the hide, which however provides good wear resistance and softness, and makes genuine leather a quite popular material for a very broad spectrum of applications.
It is important to note that genuine leather vs premium leather has the excellent feature of creating its patina. This patina is desirable as it gives the leather a nice feel and rough appearance that many people prefer when using their leather products. Authentic leather has the capability of improving its quality with time in contrast to generic synthetic material; hence, should be adopted. Furthermore, it is likely to provide a soft, flexible surface that is suitable for the production of apparel such as jackets, belts, and bags. Still, it should be pointed out that true leather is usually positioned as the middle level of leather quality.
When buying a genuine 100 leather jacket or any other leather clothing or accessories, one has to be reasonable in his or her expectations toward the real leather jackets. Even though it is not as long-lasting, or as soft to the touch as top-grain or full-grain leather, genuine leather is great for those looking for leather materials without having to spend too much.
What Is Bonded Leather?
What does bonded leather mean? As for bonded leather which is usually offered as a cheaper substitute to genuine leather, it is different kinds of leather in terms of composition and wear resistance. Bonded leather is synthesized through the process of using leather grains which are blended with other fibrous material and then bonded together using adhesive. This is then followed by the addition of polyurethane or any other synthetic material that would make it have a more leather-like finish. Thus while material bonded leather resembles genuine leather and much more so other types of natural leather right from the onset it cannot offer the same quality or even performance as true leather.
Thus, bonded leather is much less durable because it is synthetic by nature, thus it is more susceptible to getting worn out. It may easily flake, peel, and deteriorate over a relatively short period if it is utilized frequently or exposed to water and moisture, respectively. This makes bonded leather not as long-lasting as genuine leather and it is usually applied on products such as cheap furniture, belts, or accessories not for regular use.
Affordability is one of the biggest strengths that businesses use to market bonded leather to their customers. On the same note, it is considered cheap for users who would like to have their products look like leather without having to spend a lot of cash on genuine leather. But, we cannot deny the fact that there are several disadvantages which are associated with bonded leather. Despite having a genuine leather appearance, bonded leather can never possess the same sturdiness, lasting, and use qualities as genuine leather as well as fake aging. It is crucial to recall that no matter the type of leather that is being used, the bonded leather vs genuine leather, comparison indicates that the latter would be the best if you are to go with something that would last longer.
How to Tell If It’s Real Leather
It is quite hard to differentiate between leather real and bonded leather especially if they have no powers of discernment. Still, there are some relatively easy procedures, as well as basic parameters that would help to define whether it is real leather or synthetic material.
- Texture: Bonded leather vs faux leather has a certain texture and it is full of tiny lines and creases which are original and can not be imitated. These features show fakeness and bring out distinctive feels in the leather. On the other hand, bonded leather has an extremely polished surface which appears most often unnatural and very similar to plastic. Real leather is also softer and genuinely flexible to the touch in comparison with bonded leather which feels firm or even rigid at times.
- Smell: Another test that can be used to tell real leather from fake one is by using the scent test. Real leather has its smell, which is somewhat nutty and it is very difficult, or impossible to reproduce this smell using synthetic materials. Mainly because of the adhesives and chemicals employed in the production of bonded leather, this will normally have a chemical or plastic-like appearance. That is why if there is some doubt, one can utilize the smell test as the most helpful way of separating between the two.
- Durability: Real leather deteriorates with time, and with deterioration, it is endowed with a very elegant finish. It also becomes softer and pliable when used hence acquiring the characteristic of being vintage or overused. However, bonded leather is not very durable and does not look as good after some time has passed. Instead, it becomes tarnished, chipped, faded, or in any way damaged much sooner as far as character building is concerned.
- Water Absorption: You can also carry out a simple water test to assist in trying to figure out which kind of leather the sofa belongs to. Real leather is highly porous and therefore soaks up water while bonded leather does not soak water because it has a plastic coating. A small drop of water on real leather will absorb into the material and the leather will absorb the water slowly, while the water will remain on top of the bonded leather.
Bonded Leather vs Genuine Leather
Thus, the main contrast between leather and genuine leather is the difference in quality, in materials used for its manufacturing, and the sturdiness of materials. While authentic leather comes from the real skin of an animal; bonded leather is a conglomeration of scrap leathers and bonded together with the help of a binding solution, which is a kind of glue. This astonishing disparity unreservedly influences prescriptive kinship between both types of leather and their performance characteristics. Genuine leather is considered to be slightly worse than full-grain leather but still provides great wearing durability together with all the positive aspects of leather: it is a perfect choice for people who are looking for a middle-grade product, but who want it to be genuine leather.
However, bonded leather is usually thought of as cheaper for the consumer and less focused on longevity in its quality. Every single part of bonded leather vs genuine leather should be considered while making a decision. There is almost zero instance where genuine leather is not the best choice if you consider durability, comfort, and the future worth of your purchase.
Conclusion
Thus, when deciding between real leather and bonded leather the decision solely depends on the customer’s wants and needs and his willingness to pay for the certain material. So if you are someone who respects and prefers original designs, durability, and elegance that actual leather gives to the products, then the answer will be obvious: go for genuine leather. That is why while using bonded leather may be less costly than other types of leather there is nothing natural and thus the product will not last as long or offer as luxurious an experience as when using genuine leather. At Natural Jackets, we stock an array of special quality leather wear that will give you value for your money. Having an understanding of how to differentiate between real leather and bonded leather will assist you to make the right decision on the type of leather products you want to buy; be it a leather jacket, accessory, or furniture.
