Why We Choose Full Grain & Top Grain Leather

You’ve probably seen the words “genuine leather” on everything from wallets and belts to furniture and bags. It sounds like a quality guarantee. But it really only tells you one thing: the material is leather.

“Genuine leather” can refer to leather made from lower layers of the hide that have been heavily processed, sanded, split, embossed, coated, or finished to create a certain look. The quality can vary significantly. That’s one reason you can buy two products both labeled “genuine leather” and have completely different experiences with them.

At One of a Kinn, we prefer to be more specific. We use quality full grain and top grain leather, because we want you to know what you’re getting.

— Full grain leather comes from the strongest outer portion of the hide and retains its natural grain. It can show natural markings and variations, develops character and patina with age, and is known for its strength and durability.

— Top grain leather is also high quality. The surface may be lightly refined for a more consistent appearance, while still retaining much of the hide’s natural strength and character.

For a large manufacturer producing thousands of identical products, consistency and efficiency can be important.

For us, the imperfections are part of the point.

We handcraft our pieces in small quantities, using quality leather that has its own natural character. No two hides are exactly alike, and no two pieces we make will ever be completely identical.

We want it to get better with time. That’s the difference between something that simply carries the label “leather” and something made with leather we’re proud to put our name on.

Want to learn more about leather quality?
We recommend this helpful guide from Theodore Leather Essentials: Understanding Leather Quality: What Actually Separates Premium Leather – TheodoreLeather