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How to Recognize Quality Leather? 7 Tips for Buying Leather Products
August 6, 2025
Leather products are much more than a fashion accessory – they are a long-term investment. A quality leather bag, jacket, or belt can last for years, even decades, when made from genuine, high-quality leather, and often looks even better and more charming as time goes by. But how can you be sure you’re buying the real thing and not just clever marketing?Today, when low-quality faux leather copies flood the market, it’s important to know what to look for. As a brand with 40 years of experience in handcrafting premium leather goods, Manual knows the difference. And we want to help you learn how to recognize it too so you can make the right choice.If you’re planning to invest in a genuine leather product, here are seven key tips to help you recognize quality and avoid mistakes when shopping.
1. The Scent Never Lies
If the product is truly made from natural leather, you’ll notice it quickly. Real leather has a specific, rich, and recognizable scent that is hard to imitate. If leather products have a chemical, plastic, or overly strong synthetic smell, there’s a good chance you’re dealing with fake leather – like PU (polyurethane), PVC (polyvinyl chloride), or other synthetics that imitate the look but not the structure or durability of natural leather. And if you can’t smell anything at all, it’s probably not genuine leather either.
2. The Touch Reveals the Truth
When you hold a leather product in your hands, pay attention to how the material feels. Genuine, high-quality leather is never perfectly smooth. Under your fingertips, you should feel a slight texture or grain – a clear sign of authenticity. Real leather is soft yet firm.Synthetic materials feel plastic-like, “cold,” overly smooth, and “perfect.” You’ll also notice that real leather products are usually significantly heavier than faux leather ones.
3. Look at the Edges
Handcrafted leather products often have slightly rougher, irregular edges with a more “raw,” natural look if cut, while mass-produced synthetic leather usually has perfectly smooth, “plasticized” edges because they are machine-treated.
4. Test the Flexibility
Quality leather is flexible but doesn’t stretch easily or crack. When you bend it, you’ll see subtle changes in color and texture – which is a good sign. Fake materials either feel stiff and rigid or stretch out and deform too easily. So when you’re checking for quality, try gently bending the product. Real leather will naturally wrinkle slightly, while fake leather will either remain rigid or begin to crack.
5. Check the Craftsmanship And Details
Craftsmanship is one of the most important indicators of quality in leather goods. Quality stitching, scratch-free metal details… all of these reveal dedication and a serious approach to production.Examine the stitching on the leather product you like. Are the seams straight? Strong? Evenly spaced? With handcrafted products, like those from our workshop, you’ll see that every detail has been given attention. Plastic zippers, loose threads sticking out, or glued seams are red flags.
6. Price and Brand Aren’t Guarantees – But They Often Tell You a Lot
Although a high price is not always a guarantee, quality products made from genuine leather cannot be cheap – because fine, natural leather isn’t cheap either. Of course, you’re not only paying for the material, but also for the attractive, modern design, as well as a detailed and carefully controlled production process that adheres to high standards. Therefore, if the price seems “too good to be true,” unfortunately, it probably is, as it usually reflects the quality of the materials used and the craftsmanship itself.
7. Research the Product’s Origin
Always research the brand behind the leather product you’re considering. A brand that values its customers and has nothing to hide will gladly share details about the origin of its materials, production methods, and certifications. Manual is a brand that values transparency and invests in quality control at every step before products reach the shelves.Our dedication is reflected in numerous awards and certifications our workshop has received over the years – from the “Good Design Award” of the Vojvodina Chamber of Commerce to a prestigious international certificate for handcrafted and traditional leather-making, awarded by the Ministry of Economy and Regional Development. Learn more about us.
The Manual Co.: Premium-Quality Genuine Leather Without Compromise
Natural leather has always been humanity’s companion – first as protection from the cold and the elements, later as a symbol of status, reliability, and elegance in the fashion industry. While times have changed, one thing remains the same: the value of high-quality genuine leather.At the Manual workshop, we continue to nurture the artisanal tradition of leather craftsmanship, using techniques passed down through generations. All our products are made from natural vegetable-tanned cowhide, one of the oldest tanning methods known to mankind. This is not only an homage to tradition, history, and culture but also a responsibility toward nature and our customers. Every detail is carefully thought through and infused with environmental awareness – from the origin of the materials to the finishing touches.
Quality Doesn’t Hide – You Just Need to Know Where to Look
Buying leather goods is like choosing a companion for a long adventure. The piece you select should match your rhythm and become an extension of your style and daily life. Now that you know what to look for, you’ll also know how to recognize real value. So, choose wisely. Choose authenticity, quality, and craftsmanship. Or simply choose The Manual Co.When you decide on Manual leather goods, you can be certain that with every piece you’re choosing tradition, standards, and quality that have lasted for four decades. Explore our collections and discover all our men’s and women’s products to find the perfect leather piece that tells your story.Want to experience the uniqueness of our leather under your fingertips? Visit us at one of our stores in Novi Sad or Belgrade. We’re waiting for you!
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August 7, 2025
Craftsmanship is one of the most important indicators of quality in leather goods. Quality stitching, scratch-free metal details… all of these reveal dedication and a serious approach to production.
Examine the stitching on the leather product you like. Are the seams straight? Strong? Evenly spaced? With handcrafted products, like those from our workshop, you’ll see that every detail has been given attention. Plastic zippers, loose threads sticking out, or glued seams are red flags.
Buying leather goods is like choosing a companion for a long adventure. The piece you select should match your rhythm and become an extension of your style and daily life. Now that you know what to look for, you’ll also know how to recognize real value. So, choose wisely. Choose authenticity, quality, and craftsmanship. Or simply choose The Manual Co.
When you decide on Manual leather goods, you can be certain that with every piece you’re choosing tradition, standards, and quality that have lasted for four decades. Explore our collections and discover all our men’s and women’s products to find the perfect leather piece that tells your story.
Want to experience the uniqueness of our leather under your fingertips? Visit us at one of our stores in Novi Sad or Belgrade. We’re waiting for you! 
