Knowing When Leather Is Leather?

[dpixel8]

So I plan now that I'm getting into this hobby, that I would like to find random sources for leather, ie garage sales, etc. Wondering if there is an easy way to tell if what you think is leather, IS actually leather (besides looking at the tag and trusting that it IS leather).

Thanks much

[Luke Hatley]

A Bic Lighter will tell you what you want to know...Cut a small piece and put the flame to it.

[particle]

You might start here for an overview of the different types of leather if you're not already familiar with it. In fact, maybe I should check it out again too....

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leather

Are you saying, for example, you might go to a garage sale and buy a leather couch for very cheap, then cut it apart and use the leather for your new hobby?

A Bic Lighter will tell you what you want to know...Cut a small piece and put the flame to it.

LOL!! Hadn't thought of that....

[dpixel8]

You might start here for an overview of the different types of leather if you're not already familiar with it. In fact, maybe I should check it out again too....

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leather

Are you saying, for example, you might go to a garage sale and buy a leather couch for very cheap, then cut it apart and use the leather for your new hobby?

LOL!! Hadn't thought of that....

Correct. Or a purse, jacket, anything like that. So not sure if a bic lighter is going to be good in that certain situation....

[HellfireJack]

I'm sure in a lot of cases you could just scratch and sniff. Vinyl should never have a smell.

Another way is to find a cut end. On a sofa or chair you could examine the underside to find a cut end. If it's smooth it's probably not leather.

Also check for patterning in the grain. Man made vinyl will always have a pattern to it.

Edited August 1, 2012 by HellfireJack

[dpixel8]

Thanks guys!

[Chavez]

You can also try and stretch it: if you can cut a piece off it and bend and stretch it with your fingers as hard as you can, vinyl will stretch into a grainless plastic film (a lot like a regular plastic bag) while leather will stay leather.

I had a mobile phone pouch and I was sure it was leather. Found out that it was vinyl only when I took it apart (to build myself a leather one) =).

Also, it depends on how you define leather. Many things are made from splits that have been covered with some chemical and stamped to smooth one of its sides to look like grain (can't remember how its called =) ). Although this is genuine leather, its quality is usually crap, especially if it is used.

And last but not least, when buying used leather you will most likely get chrome-tanned upholstery/garment leather, not the veg-tanned stuff.

[Rivits]

You can also use a small loupe to inspect it. A lot of swiss army knives come with a magnifying glass you can use, as well. Of course, magnification doesn't do all the work for you, ya need experience. I still have trouble figuring out what is what, there are so many kinds of leather, and a lot of things that are 'real leather' still aren't desirable to me.

However, if you keep that loupe on you, and inspect different kinds of leather, you start to be able to tell them apart. A burnished genuine leather doesn't have the same sort of pores as real grain, etc.

What's really bad, is when you're trying to buy something online and they just label it "leather" without any super high def images to look at. Myhabit.com is especially bad about this, imo.

Edited November 5, 2012 by Rivits