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Top-grain cowhide is the outermost, smoothest, most durable and flexible part of the hide. Once the hair is removed the natural grain is exposed to reveal characteristics that make each finished product uniquely different. We use only select grade cowhide. These hides have been graded to ensure minimal scaring and imperfections on the hides. When shopping for high quality leather goods we recommend that you carefully look for products that are made using "Top-Grain Cowhide". There are many products that claim to be leather. However, many of these products are made using pigskin, split-grain, bonded or faux leather. Split-Grain Leather is the second layer of the cowhide once the top-grain has been removed. It is many times buffed of artificially stamped with an imitation grain such as alligator. This leather is not as soft, flexible or as smooth as top-grain. Bonded Leather is a reconstituted material that consists of shredded and pulverized leather. This material is combined with bonding agents and formed into sheets. It is then colored and stamped with an artificial grain to simulate the natural graining of leather. Faux Leather is a material which has been made to appear to look and feel like real leather. Typically this is a vinyl or oil based product. |