If the top surface does not have much damage on it (usually caused by insect damage, brand marks, barbed wire marks etc.) then it can be used as it is and this is called 'full grain'.
If the top surface has to be 'corrected' to enable it to be used then a layer is shaved off to remove the damage. This is than called top grain.
Full grain is the best quality leather there is but it is incorrect to say that top grain is not real leather.
Top grain can be used to make pigment coated leathers, or cn be further sanded to create nubuck.
http://www.LTTsolutions.net
"The difference between full-grain leather and other forms is that the full-grain is top quality. The markings and texture of the hide is what will be seen in the end product. For this reason, no alterations are made to the full-grain leather.
Other leather is often referred to as "top-grain", which should not be confused with "full-grain" as they are completely different. Top-grain leather is not genuine leather, meaning that the true grain has been sanded and imitation grain added into the "leather". When full-grain leather is processed further, it becomes what is known as "nap" or "nabuck." With no protective coat added, wear and tear can happen quickly."
http://www.leathercraftsecrets.com/leatherwork/quality.htm
First answer by ID1178910890. Last edit by Leather agony aunt. Contributor trust: 37 [recommend contributor]. Question popularity: 13 [recommend question]
Answers.com > Wiki Answers > Categories > Shopping > Fashion > Clothing > What are attributes of full grain leather versus top grain leather?
Our contributors said this page should be displayed for the questions below. (Where do these come from ) |
| If any of these are not a genuine rephrasing of the question, please help out and edit these alternates. |
