Tusting Explains the Difference Between Full-Grain and Split Leather

Ever wonder why some leather-goods last longer and age far better than others? Their retail price is not always a fair guide to the quality of the leather used, and here Gillian Tusting demonstrates the function of the leather splitting machine and with it, explains what the crucial difference is between full-grain and split leather.
Read our full blog post on this topic here:
www.tusting.co...

[@pumpupthevolume4775]

Finally. With so many videos and web pages confusing matters, this one explains it verbally and visually. Good job.

[@momccormick7]

I loved this! It will help me make educated decisions about what exactly I’m purchasing going forward. Thank you for explaining and demonstrating so clearly and concisely!

[@TUSTING]

Thank you - it’s great to know the film is helpful!

[@ricardo_chile9351]

Crystal clear. Excellent.

[@vincentalykin]

Thanks, this was insightful. I had been watching a few other videos on leather the night before, and this video helped to clarify some things I did not understand.

[@JacobDuane]

Just what I was looking for. Thank you for the detailed examples.

[@adrianmark613]

Great explanation

[@TUSTING]

Thanks! Glad it helped. :)

[@streetballplayer100]

Thank you very much, very informative

[@TUSTING]

Thank you Boris, glad it was helpful!

[@chilyn5]

Very clear explanation. Thank you very much.

[@ec9101]

Thank you for taking the time to explain this.

[@davidong2898]

Fantastic sharing!!

[@KM-yw2yb]

Thanks for the lesson.

[@abtotheku]

Straight forward, I liked it.

[@TUSTING]

Thank you. :)

[@ahmedm5780]

Nice video! I wonder why some jackets are so easy to fold (light structure), while some others are really heavy and look like they have much substance.

[@martiangod]

I bought a sofa from dfs and paid extra for 100% leather but im pretty sure the back and sides are split leather with a pu coating. The manager came out and said its real leather and he can tell by the backing because bonded leather is nylon backed. Its so difficult to tell, ive called multiple upholstery companies to inspect it and they're all refusing to look at it because they do repair work for dfs and a small local guy said hes not getting involved. The leather on the back and sides is really thick and has a shiny plastic like surface, im almost certain its pu coated. Not sure how im supposed to get it sorted as no one will help and ive probably been ripped off

[@Sharif-ln2qk]

So that I am clear. The split layer is an intermediate/middle layer and is thicker than the layer which you first cut (the .5mm one)? Neither the split layer nor the first layer you cut have the top grain which would make both stronger/tear-resistant. Is the split layer stronger/more tear-resistant simply because it's thicker than the first layer you shaved off?

[@TUSTING]

Yes! You have understood perfectly. 😊

[@onnt758]

Thank you for the video. I didn’t know there was such a thing as split leather until I saw a handbag labeled as split leather. After watching your video, I’m just wondering, what’s the point of using split leather when they could use both the grain and the fiber layers, as it probably has more value?

[@TUSTING]

Hi there. I'm sorry for the delay in getting back to you. The reason brands use split leather is purely to save cost! It is effectively an upcycled waste product, and is much cheaper than full-grain leather. Since the grain portion of leather is the desirable bit, when it is split off to provide lightweight, full-grain leather (for leather-goods which do not require thick leather, such as clothing) it also creates a 'split'. The split is the bit that comes off the back of the leather and which can then be processed with a PU coating and emboss to make it look like full-grain leather again. So, it is possible to make cheap leathergoods from splits because the main material is much less expensive. Where the consumer really suffers though is when splits are used and a high price is still charged for the product -> lots of profit for the brand and not good for the purchaser! I hope that helps.

[@onnt758]

Thank you so much for the detailed explanation. I find the word “split leather” quite misleading if they have to put PU coating on it.. If I have to spend a lot of money on a split leather bag, I might as well get a full grain leather bag instead as I’m sure it’s more durable. Thank you for your information!

[@TUSTING]

@@onnt758 Yes, unfortunately, the word 'leather' is used far too loosely, it only needs to contain some leather fibres to pass the legal test. Even worse is 'vegan leather' since that is an impossibility; if it is vegan, it simply can't be leather at all, but the term is still used.

[@MS-_-4891]

Got it immediately. Thank you

[@TUSTING]

Great! Glad it was helpful. ☺️

[@missj.4760]

Does the PU coat help making split leather more resistant?

[@TUSTING]

Yes, if you settle for split leather, it will almost certainly be PU-coated because that’s the principle way of making it useful and sealing the leather fibres on its upper cut surface. The PU coat can be fairly tough (the more PU applied, the more resilient the result) but if it gets scratched through to the leather fibres, there’s not much you can do to improve it.

[@missj.4760]

@@TUSTING Thank you! You are very knowledgeable :)

[@alphadawg7360]

so does the satchel last longer than the full grain?

[@TUSTING]

No, quite the opposite, the full-grain leather is far stronger and the surface much more hard-wearing because the satchel leather has lost its grain surface, which is the strongest and most resilient part of the hide. Satchel leather has an applied coating (often a plastic one) which tends to wear or even peel off with the abrasion of normal use.

[@alphadawg7360]

@@TUSTING can full grain be torn apart by hand?

[@TUSTING]

@@alphadawg7360 Generally not, certainly far less easily than a split leather could be, and it takes plenty force! It can happen if leather gets damaged, such as being caught in machinery for example, but it would be very difficult to tear by hand unless it’s extremely thin.

[@alphadawg7360]

@@TUSTING i been thinking of getting either a canvas/nylon backpack or a full grain backpack. Which one would be more durable and last say about 10 years of daily use? Does nylon/canvas tear easier than full grain?

[@TUSTING]

@@alphadawg7360 if they are good quality, they should all last that long but there are an awful lot of poor quality backpacks around that wouldn’t - especially nylon ones. You should look at the weight of the fabric, zippers and hardware, and the workmanship. Remember that if you buy from a maker-brand like us, they can repair your bag if needed, anything from a brand that just sources their products from contract factories will not have that backup. 😊

[@saltyjo7514]

Split leather is still better than pvc

[@victourrogan2243]

PEORIA, ILLINOIS…

[@dormorp6043]

Great explanation

[@TUSTING]

Thank you. 😊😊