There are three basic tests that you can perform to confirm the material is indeed leather. Smell Test: First, most leather has a characteristic odor of fat-liquor (oils used to lubricate the leather). If the material doesn't have this "regular smell of leather", chances are it is not genuine leather. Please note that many of the newer "washable" or water resistant leather do not have the same fat-liquors and often do not have much of a characteristic leather odor.Look Test: Looking at the back side of the leather will also reveal its genuine character.

The back of the leather should look like suede. If you see threads, that is a bad sign. If you see the ends of the collagen fibers, like you would on a suede pair of shoes, that is good. If possible, you can also inspect the cut edge - the leather has a very distinctive layered appearance from the edge. The grain and finish are very tight and compact. Often you can see the hair follicles in this layer if you cut just right. Then the inner layer is coarser and a random tangle of heavier fibers. If you can see any criss-cross pattern or symmetry, that is a sure sign of synthetic materials.Fire Test: When exposed to mild temperatures (say match flame), the genuine leather will not catch fire, while other synthetic materials are inflammable and will burn quickly. Leather sort of melts into a lump that will harden like glass when cool. Will also shatter like glass if crushed after it has been burned.

Labels: genuine leather, indeed leather, oils used to lubricate the leather, reveal its genuine, The grain and finish