Real leather?

[Macan]

Please can someone tell me is this full grain leather( i beleive that's the expression for real leather) or is it lower part leather with some man made surface? It is very hard to make any groove by pressing(not cutting) this leather

 

[leatherman]

Next to impossible to tell from pictures.

Did it come already colored?

Wet a scrap piece, how does it take the water if at all. If it does take water does it become pliable?

Burn a scrap, are the ashes a greenish iridescent color? Does it smell like plastic burning?

 

[Macan]

Thank you for advice. It was already colored, and hardly burned with small flame. Ididnt had time to make water test but it seems to be leather.thanks again.

 

[Omega Leather Works]

That burn test is to determine chrome or veg tanned isn't it? That's how I've used it in the past anyway, green ash= chrome tanning.

 

[leatherman]

For this one it serves two purposes, chrome tannage and if its one of those reconstituted faux leathers. They bind together ground up leather to do it so it looks right but the binder smells awful when burned.

 

[Omega Leather Works]

Good info, I'll keep that in my back pocket. :thumbup:

 

[leatherman]

The key as a maker is to know where your leather is coming from. Working with Tandy since 1995 gives me some leeway to be an insider on things like this. They are totally straight forward with me, and I am not worried a bit in giving them lots of grief if there is nothing worth my time in the store. I know three tanneries in Mexico and at least two in South America, and I know which one's go the extra mile to produce a good product and I know which really could care less and produce huge amounts of really crappy leather.

Honestly, I've been able to get leather from "down below" that rivals the American tanneries in quality. And I've seen horrific stuff come from both here and there. No way am I NOT picking out my own leather now.

 

[Macan]

Thanks again. I'll keep my eyes and nose open next time

 

[Omega Leather Works]

I completely agree Dwayne. I've bought $13/ft US leather, and I've bought $7/ft leather from South America and honestly, the less costly stuff is even better than the really nice domestic stuff.

I'm beginning to think that price is one of the less important factors when considering leather quality, but then again, maybe I just got lucky on my last order.