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submitted 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) by seeCseas@lemmy.world to c/youshouldknow@lemmy.world

Why YSK: The term "Genuine Leather" is a marketing term to sell the lowest quality leather possible.

When purchasing a leather product, look for full grain leather or top grain leather instead. These will provide a much higher quality cut of leather that will look and feel much better and last for much longer.

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[-] PreMalone@lemmy.world 68 points 1 year ago

This really is a perfect replacement for reddit, we even have the same reposted fun facts

[-] MargotRobbie@lemmy.world 29 points 1 year ago

You can leave reddit, but you can't leave the redditor on the inside.

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[-] washabe@lemmy.world 18 points 1 year ago

I mean, reposting things that were on Reddit before would be a good way to get more content on here

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[-] derf82@lemmy.world 63 points 1 year ago

Not quite. The truth is, there is no universally recognized grades of leather. But when bragging about quality, genuine leather is the lowest bar they can go (other than bonded leather, which isn’t fully leather but just a veneer over fabric.

Full grain or top grain is generally what you want.

https://lifehacker.com/what-genuine-leather-really-means-1850309049

Also, some are concerned about the use of an animal product. The vast majority of leather is a byproduct of the beef industry. It is skin that would otherwise go to waste. And it is also far more environmentally friendly a material than many alternatives, which are often made of plastics.

[-] queermunist@lemmy.world 19 points 1 year ago

It's the industry recapturing some of its costs by reducing waste. That's still supporting the industry.

[-] derf82@lemmy.world 26 points 1 year ago

We applauded Native Americans for using every part of the animal, yet when we do it today somehow it’s a bad thing.

The skins are there rather you like the industry or not. Better to use them than throw them in a landfill.

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[-] MargotRobbie@lemmy.world 13 points 1 year ago

Yeah, honestly you should buy leather products based on brands than on description of "genuine" leather.

And agree, real leather is a much better alternative to the ridiculous amount of micro-plastic synthetic leather generates, especially since it'll last you decades if you maintain it well.

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[-] RedMarsRepublic@lemmy.world 54 points 1 year ago

Leather is murder anyways.

[-] gloriousspearfish@feddit.dk 23 points 1 year ago

Murder is killing a human.

Killing a cow is just part of eating.

[-] Joe@kbin.social 29 points 1 year ago

You didn't need to kill the cow to eat, you chose to kill something that didn't want to die for the fleeting taste of it's dead body on your tongue

[-] ratz30@lemmy.world 25 points 1 year ago

This is why I keep my animals alive and slice off bits as I need them.

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[-] lich_hegemon@lemmy.world 20 points 1 year ago

It has its place.

For example, leather in second hand products it's great because it's durable and often high quality. And, whatever you do, the animal has already been killed and paid for.

I would also buy leather products if it's for something that I intend to use for many years. It sort of offsets the environmental damage from buying multiple synthetic products.

Then again, I'm not vegan.

[-] mitchie151@kbin.social 20 points 1 year ago

In the right context, leather goods are much more durable and sustainable than synthetic alternatives. That said, leather is a co-product of the meat and dairy industry which is currently ridiculously unsustainable. Leather for leathers sake in designer goods and such is ridiculous.

[-] NotAPenguin@kbin.social 12 points 1 year ago

Leather production is terrible for the environment, a shit ton of chemicals used.

[-] corporateHippie@kbin.social 14 points 1 year ago

Wonder what the people who are downvoting this are thinking. Is it not murder, or is it only a restproduct of murder?

[-] hark@lemmy.world 72 points 1 year ago

I think it's because it's irrelevant for someone who would be interested in leather (and this YSK). I'm sure they're well aware of where leather comes from. I will say, though, that if cows are getting murdered for food, then they might as well use the whole animal instead of letting it go to waste.

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[-] unsophisticated@kbin.social 16 points 1 year ago

I wonder what people who upvote this are thinking, obviously the point is moot unless you are also vegan. And who upvotes someone going “meat is murder” in the comment section.

[-] kakes@sh.itjust.works 13 points 1 year ago

I'm not vegan, but I do personally agree that it's selfish and inhumane to eat meat and use leather - especially on an industrial scale. I eat meat, but I don't have any delusions about where it comes from.

Not meaning to argue, but just to say it's not only vegans that think about this stuff. Also, even if it was, that doesn't mean they're wrong or moot.

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[-] gloriousspearfish@feddit.dk 13 points 1 year ago

Not murder, per definition.

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[-] SweetSitty@lemmy.world 29 points 1 year ago

You should also know that technically only the piece marked as genuine leather needs to actually be genuine leather. If you buy something made with multiple pieces, the rest could be made from any material so long as that one piece is genuine.

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[-] BigTrout75@lemmy.world 23 points 1 year ago

Can somebody explain why leather is better? It's it the smell? The feel? Tradition? I see it in car reviews where they complain about cloth.

[-] Zansacu@lemmy.world 20 points 1 year ago

It's breathable but works in both warm and cold weather. This makes it ideal for spring and autumn. It's easy to clean although it's also hard to maintain (you have to oil it and protect it against rain). It lasts for very long if you care for it unlike fabric or fake leather, so a leather jacket can be worn for decades and still look and feel great.

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[-] kcdaguy@lemmy.world 14 points 1 year ago

It is something people think they want because it is more expensive and in higher trim levels in cars. But when your car is parked in the hot sun the leather feels like it burns and in the winter is freezing to the touch. Leather also doesn't breath so you end up sweating more and if your are not wearing long pants your leg will stick to the seat. Cloth is so much better functionally. Cloth also lasts longer than the fake leather they put in cars. Cloth won't peel like the fake leather.

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[-] RedMarsRepublic@lemmy.world 11 points 1 year ago

Mostly people like it because it's expensive and it makes them feel rich. It is more durable than cloth but that hardly matters for most of the things it's used for.

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[-] YuzuDrink@kbin.social 11 points 1 year ago

My best guess (not in the community or anything) is that leather does better at being durable—especially if you treat it well and condition it regularly?—than cloth and plastic-leather alternatives, which break down. I know leather is meant to be very durable and have good “properties,” but I can’t be specific.

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[-] wvenable@kbin.social 21 points 1 year ago

If you think about it, it makes sense. All they are saying it's that is actually real leather which is the least you could say about leather.

To add to the naming fun: Corinthian Leather.

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[-] norawibb@sh.itjust.works 21 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

Don't buy leather. Cows are sentient beings with their own subjective experience. Actions that inflict unnecessary harm upon others should be reconsidered.

If you downvote, you must have a justification for buying leather and I'd love to hear it.

[-] gloriousspearfish@feddit.dk 12 points 1 year ago

Justification: I like to eat cows, they taste good. Might as well use the skin when the animal is killed anyway. Also leather is a really good material for a lot of things.

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[-] FooSolo@lemmy.world 10 points 1 year ago

If cows were given the chance, they would eat me and use my skin as pants, for when they go to the club.

[-] toxicbubble@lemmy.world 10 points 1 year ago

so you pay others to kill cows to feel superior?

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[-] Arete@lemmy.world 18 points 1 year ago

I thought "genuine" was the middle grade, with "bonded" being the lowest. Bob's Furniture used to market "genuine bonded leather" sofas which I found both clever and infuriating.

[-] BlueDepth9279@lemmy.world 12 points 1 year ago

Bonded leather is less than 20% real leather and made from scraps and fibers of genuine leather combined with binders. It’s generally not as durable as genuine leather.

[-] MadWorks@lemmy.world 17 points 1 year ago

It's like leather veneer, in most cases.

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[-] 8to32characters@lemmy.world 16 points 1 year ago

Not exactly true. "genuine leather" is a specific grade of leather product.

Here's a decent breakdown of leather types: https://bosca.com/blog/types-of-leather-a-glossary/

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[-] toxicbubble@lemmy.world 15 points 1 year ago

plant based leather exists

[-] Kurt@lemmy.one 14 points 1 year ago

Is it really leather, though?

[-] mtorpey@lemmy.world 11 points 1 year ago

One for the philosophers.

[-] MargotRobbie@lemmy.world 11 points 1 year ago

I can't believe it's not leather!

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[-] queermunist@lemmy.world 15 points 1 year ago
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[-] zorrothefox2001@lemmy.world 14 points 1 year ago

Well yes but my wallet is cool and on a chain

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[-] niktemadur@kbin.social 14 points 1 year ago

In one of those 70s Fat Albert episodes, I think it was Rudy who one day showed up wearing a jacket of "genuine imitation leather". That term has stuck with me for decades.

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[-] The1Morrigan@lemmy.world 13 points 1 year ago

Not to be all hyper pagan or anything but maybe just don't buy skin?

[-] MrScottyTay@sh.itjust.works 13 points 1 year ago

Leather's gross anyway. Who wants to be like buffalo Bill? Haha

[-] ratz30@lemmy.world 11 points 1 year ago

Me! I'd fuck me!

[-] c4@kbin.social 11 points 1 year ago

All I can say is that it's still at least leather. Most things (e.x., belts) will say "manmade leather" or "manmade materials" and they are fake and break. The genuine leather belt I have has been working for 4 years without snapping.

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this post was submitted on 18 Jun 2023
974 points (100.0% liked)

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