how to know leather

masterwriter

A friend bought leather sofa off one of those guys who call house to house. Supposed to be real leather but does not have a tag which says real leather. How to know?

Wertz

The smell.
PVC or faux leather will not have that lovely oily leather-y smell, rather it will have a chemical smell that isn't as nice on the nose.
If you're still unsure open up one of the covers in an out of sight place and look at the back of the leather, the untanned side...should look like suede and should have an even stronger smell than the tanned side.

Minder

If it is unprinted, ie it doesn't have an artifical grain, look for variations in the surface such as stretch marks, open pores or scars. These natural blemishes are considered flaws but are hard to avoid, so the manufacturer will use these pieces in less obvious places on the furniture. Nubuck finished leather will absorb water, plastic won't - so wet your thumb and press on the leather, if it leaves a mark, it's genuine. Try it on the side of a cushion - it will dry out in an hour and won't leave a mark. Or as mentioned above, look for a suede side.

masterwriter

Minder wrote: »

If it is unprinted, ie it doesn't have an artifical grain, look for variations in the surface such as stretch marks, open pores or scars. These natural blemishes are considered flaws but are hard to avoid, so the manufacturer will use these pieces in less obvious places on the furniture. Nubuck finished leather will absorb water, plastic won't - so wet your thumb and press on the leather, if it leaves a mark, it's genuine. Try it on the side of a cushion - it will dry out in an hour and won't leave a mark. Or as mentioned above, look for a suede side.

Thanks will try that . I checked the business card of the guy it says 'italian leather'. Is there some difference between italian and other leather that I should look for? If I uploaded a pic could you tell. How do I upload pic, browse to pic and upload? Cheers

JIZZLORD

i think people just say "Italian leather" as it sounds good.

masterwriter

Minder wrote: »

Nubuck finished leather will absorb water, plastic won't - so wet your thumb and press on the leather, if it leaves a mark, it's genuine.

Did that - its the real deal. Thanks everyone

masterwriter

JIZZLORD wrote: »

i think people just say "Italian leather" as it sounds good.

probably!:D:D:D

JIZZLORD

masterwriter wrote: »

probably!:D:D:D

italian leather must have been relegated to buzz word hell long long ago. you cant go into any furniture place without seeing it plastered everywhere