What am I actually paying for?

All leather is not created equal. The leather knock offs are easy to spot but, even among real leather products, there are three primary types which can greatly impact the quality of what you are getting.

The three most common types of leather are Full Grain, Top Grain and Genuine Leather. But what is the difference and why does it matter?

• Full Grain Leather uses 100% of the top grain. This is the strongest and most durable form of leather. With proper care, full grain leather will last a lifetime. It will also develop a rich patina over time becoming more beautiful. Because leather is a hide, the full grain leather will show any marks, scars and defects that were part of the skin. At JPL leather we strive to use Full grain as much as possible and use only the unmarked portions of the leather so you will not get scarred or marked leather.
• Top Grain Leather is also very high quality leather. With top grain leather, a very thin portion of the topmost grain has been removed to eliminate or reduce markings on the hide. This gives the exterior a more pristine look. Because it still contains most of the grain and is a complete hide, it retains a high level of durability. Like full grain, it will also develop a rich patina and softer feel over time.
• Genuine leather is a less expensive form of leather. It IS real leather but it IS NOT a piece of the hide. Genuine leather is made from processing spare parts, shavings and scraps of leather together. This involves gluing, shaping and dying them. Genuine leather does not have the durability or longevity of top grain or full grain leather but does allow for less expensive options. At JPL we will typically only use genuine leather in certain types of braided cordage and only when it is the best option for the outcome we are looking for.

At JPL Leather, the majority of our products are made with either full or top grain leather. All items will clearly note if they are made with full grain, top grain or genuine leather.

For those who would like an even more complete understanding of the quality of leather, please read further.

A typical piece of leather is made up of three components: the grain which is the top outermost section, a center section made up mostly of fibrous collagen, and the interior “skin” portion.

A single piece of leather and it’s parts.

The bottom and middle sections give leather it’s thickness but it is the top”grain” portion that gives leather its beauty and durability.

Leather comes in a variety of thicknesses. Thinning leather involves removing some of the skin side until the desired thickness is achieved while retaining the grain’s beauty and durability.