How to distinguish between real leather and fake leather when fake leather products are being produced more and more sophisticatedly and look like real leather? Are the usual testing methods effective? Let's find out with FRANK through the article below.
DISTINGUISH REAL LEATHER FROM FAKE LEATHER FROM THE ORIGIN
What is genuine leather?
Genuine leather (or “leather”) is created from the tanning process of the skin of animals such as buffalo, cow, crocodile, goat, sheep, etc. The most popular of which is cowhide, often used to make bags, wallets, belts, etc.
Thanks to this process, genuine leather does not rot over time. On the contrary, the leather will become increasingly shiny and durable. Before being processed into a product, the leather is also covered with a layer of paint to create color and shine. Because of going through such an elaborate and meticulous production process, products made from genuine leather are quite expensive.
What is faux leather?
Faux leather or artificial leather usually has 2 main types: Simili and PU.
- Simili is made from a lining fabric woven from Polyester fibers and coated with 1-2 layers of PVC to create a bond. It is then shaped to create a leather pattern, then the surface is treated and dyed. Because it is a product made from PVC, Simili is quite hard and has a characteristic plastic smell. That is why Simili is a cheap imitation leather material and is quite easy to distinguish from real leather.
- PU leather (also known as Polyurethane leather) is an industrial leather made from leather scraps covered with a layer of PVC plastic. This plastic layer creates color and embossed leather grain to increase authenticity. Therefore, PU leather is more easily confused. Because this is a high-quality, soft imitation leather material that is almost like real leather.
In addition, on the market today there are also products made from synthetic leather. This is a material made from animal skin scraps, going through the Polyester process and the process of creating patterns, dyeing... Synthetic leather is also known as industrial leather.
REAL LEATHER VS FAKE LEATHER, WHICH IS "BETTER"?
The great thing about genuine leather is that it is very durable, soft, smooth. Especially never worry about peeling or flaking. Genuine leather often gives users a feeling of comfort, luxury and durability over time. These are advantages that industrial leather cannot have. And it is a separate class of genuine leather.
Of course, because it is a natural material and goes through a very elaborate and meticulous production process, the price of real leather is 4 times higher than that of imitation leather. Meanwhile, artificial leather has better dyeing ability, so the colors are more diverse and rich. Imitation leather is also easy to preserve and clean quickly because it is waterproof and dust-proof.
Each type of leather has its own advantages and disadvantages. However, to avoid buying fake leather at the price of "real leather", you should learn how to identify real leather from fake leather carefully.
THE TRUTH ABOUT COMMON WAYS TO DISTINGUISH REAL LEATHER FROM FAKE LEATHER
Go to Google, just search for the phrase "How to distinguish real leather from fake leather", you will get more than 31 million results. More specifically, if it is "How to distinguish real and fake cowhide "? You will also get more than 7 million results in just 0.5 seconds. So are these identification instructions really effective? Let's find out with FRANK!
Distinguishing real leather and fake leather by touch
✅ Genuine leather: Use your finger to press into the leather enough to create an indentation. If the indentation disappears when you remove your finger, it is genuine leather because natural leather has elasticity.
❎ Faux leather: The dent will remain because the plastic grain structure is broken and has no elasticity.
⚠️ Truth: This method is quite effective! However, you should not use your fingernails to press too hard. The reason is because fingernails are quite sharp and can affect the surface of the product.
Distinguishing real leather and fake leather by sight
✅ Genuine leather: The leather surface will have pores and rough spots regardless of how modern the leather is tanned.
❎ Faux leather: Has flatness, glossiness and of course cannot have pores like real leather.
⚠️ Truth: You need a really keen eye to be able to recognize it. Sometimes it is difficult to detect because high-end leather products are processed and tanned so well that the pores on the leather surface have almost completely been removed.
Distinguishing real leather and fake leather by smell
✅ Genuine leather: Usually has a slightly foul and musty smell.
❎ Faux leather: Usually has a characteristic chemical or plastic smell.
⚠️ Truth: This method is widely used because it is quick, easy and extremely effective.
Distinguish real leather and fake leather with water
✅ Genuine leather: Very thirsty for moisture and has many pores on the skin. Therefore, just drop a little water on the surface and after a while it will spread and absorb into the skin.
❎ Imitation leather: Made of synthetic plastic so it is not waterproof like real leather.
⚠️ Truth: Relative because many fake leather products absorb very quickly due to containing many impurities. Meanwhile, real cowhide has the ability to absorb water but not much and when exposed to water, it will become softer, very difficult to dry.
Distinguish real leather and fake leather by fire
✅ Genuine leather: Harder to burn when heated or burned. When burned, it often smells like burnt hair.
❎ Faux leather: Flammable and smells like burning plastic, will clump when burned.
⚠️ Truth: Relative because:
- The skin does not burn when heated, but it may be because the fire or heat is not enough to burn.
- If the product burns when heated, the shop can justify that you burned it too much and request compensation.
- Even if you can recognize genuine cowhide, the quality of the leather item has been affected to some extent.
How to identify genuine cowhide products only at FRANK
FRANK will show you a simple and effective way to distinguish real and fake cowhide. That is to check the raw leather sample . If the back of this leather has hair, it proves that it is 100% genuine cowhide.
FRANK often has these scrap leather samples available at the store for customers to check freely. Or with some products such as Oliver Belt or Winston Belt , you can also check for yourself through the leather behind the buckle.
In addition, with after-sales policies such as:
- 12-month warranty on leather and accessories (such as changing locks, peeling stitches, painting edges...).
- Lifetime maintenance, polishing and form restoration.
- On-site and COMPLETELY FREE.
FRANK confidently brings quality products made from genuine cowhide at reasonable prices. This not only helps customers feel more secure when choosing FRANK. This is also FRANK's commitment to product quality.
You can refer to FRANK's detailed warranty and maintenance policy HERE .
Hopefully the above information has helped you understand the effective ways to distinguish real leather from fake leather. If you still have questions, do not hesitate to contact FRANK right away!
FRANK | YOUR DAILY COMPANION
Website: https://frcnk.com
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Hotline: 0792 102 777
Email: hello@frcnk.com
Address: No. 112 Xa Dan, Phuong Lien, Dong Da, Hanoi.
