At Porter Riley, we pride ourselves on using only the highest quality leather for our phone cases. But what does that really mean? In this article, we provide an in-depth explanation about the different grades of leather - and why they matter.
It’s important to understand that not all leather is created equal. The quality of leather is determined by a number of factors, including the type of animal it came from, the part of the animal it was taken from, and the tanning process used to preserve it.
The most common types of leather are cowhide and lamb hide. Cowhide is thicker and more durable, while lamb hide is softer and more supple.
The part of the animal the leather is taken from also plays a role in its quality. Leather from the back and sides of the animal is generally considered to be of higher quality than leather from the belly and legs.
The tanning process is another key factor determining the quality of leather. This is the process by which the raw hide is treated to preserve it and make it suitable for use in products like phone cases. Tanning can be done using either chemical or natural methods. Natural tanning uses tannins, which are naturally occurring substances found in plants and trees, to preserve the leather. This method is more sustainable and produces a higher quality leather. Chemical tanning, on the other hand, uses synthetic chemicals to preserve the leather, which can be harmful to the environment and may result in a lower quality product.
But what about the grades? Now that we’ve covered the basics of leather quality, let’s take a closer look at the different leather grades:
Full-Grain Leather
Full-grain leather is considered the highest quality grade of leather. It is made from the top layer of the hide, which has not been sanded, buffed or corrected in any way. This means that it retains all of its natural grain and imperfections, which adds to its unique character and beauty. Full-grain leather is also the strongest and most durable type of leather, making it an excellent choice for phone cases.
Top-Grain Leather
Top-grain leather is the second-highest quality grade of leather. It is made from the top layer of the hide, but it has been sanded and corrected to remove any imperfections. This makes it smoother and more uniform in appearance, but it also makes it less durable than full-grain leather. Top-grain leather is still a high-quality option for phone cases, but it may not last as long as full-grain leather.
Corrected-Grain Leather
Corrected-grain leather is the lowest quality grade of leather. It is made from the lower layers of the hide, which are of lesser quality and durability than the top layers. Corrected-grain leather is heavily sanded, treated and coated to cover up imperfections, which decreases durability and longevity, and results in a less natural-looking leather.
At Porter Riley, we use only the highest quality full-grain leather for our phone cases. This ensures that our products are made with the finest - and most expensive - grade of leather, ensuring they retain their natural beauty, durability and luxury quality for years to come.
