中文After prolonged use, the coating on the leather will indeed peel off.
This is not me being alarmist. Ask your friends who have used two-ply leather bags for more than a year or two, and you’ll likely hear about issues like peeling, flaking, and cracking of the coating.
Many businesses conceal this point, leading to customers who break the product without knowing the reason. Today, I will explain it thoroughly in one go.
First, let’s clarify what split leather is.
The first-layer leather is the outermost layer of a cow’s skin, featuring natural pores, texture, and oil. It is inherently a complete piece of leather.
What about split leather? It refers to the loose fiber layer beneath the first layer of leather after the first layer is peeled off. It lacks a natural epidermis, has a loose structure, and low strength.
To make the split leather look like genuine leather, the manufacturer has to apply a thick coating on the surface – just like giving it a layer of “fake skin”.
This coating is not integrated with the leather material itself. Over time, with increased friction, exposure to water, or sunlight, it will crack, peel, and fall off.
This is not a craftsmanship issue, nor is it a maintenance issue. It is a natural defect in the material of the split leather.
Just like painting a sand wall, no matter how thick the paint is applied, it will eventually peel off over time because the wall itself is porous.
What should I do if the coating falls off? To be honest: it’s quite challenging. When encountering coating peeling, many customers ask me: can it be repaired?
To be honest: minor issues can be fixed by adding color or applying a new coating. However, it won’t last long; it will fall off again after a few months.
Severe: It is basically impossible to fully repair. Because the coating has peeled off in large patches, revealing the fibers underneath, no matter how much is done to repair it, it will always look like a patch, which is unsightly and not durable.
The only complete solution is to replace the skin. However, the cost of replacing the skin is close to making a new bag.
So, if the leather on your two-layer leather bag has become severely peeling, don’t fret. It has simply “reached the end of its life”.
I’m not saying that you shouldn’t buy second-layer leather, but you need to understand what it is. Our Jialin also produces second-layer leather. Some customers have limited budgets, or they just want to buy a casual style for casual use. Second-layer leather is indeed cheaper.
But I would never tell a customer that split leather is as good as full-grain leather.
I will clearly inform the customer of the characteristics of split leather: it is affordable, offers a wide range of styles, and looks good when first purchased.
The lifespan of split leather: Under normal use, coating issues will begin to emerge after about a year, and peeling will become evident after about two years.
Disadvantages of split leather: it cannot be repaired, does not retain its value, and looks ugly when worn out.
Let customers consume with clarity. Know what it is, how long it can be used, and what it will become, and then decide whether to buy it or not.
If the budget allows, I still recommend the first-layer leather. It’s not because I make more money from it, but because it’s really hassle-free.
The first-layer leather has a natural surface, so there’s no need for a thick coating to cover it. After you use it for three to five years, it will become softer, more lustrous, and more attractive with each use. Even if there are scratches or wear marks, they are merely “traces of time” and are not ugly.
And the leather on the second layer, when worn out, is really ugly – it peels, falls off, and exposes the white, fluffy fibers.
Let’s do some math: a two-layer leather bag costs 200 yuan, is used for 1-2 years, and then thrown away.
A first-layer leather bag: 600 yuan, used for over 5 years, it looks better with use.
Which one is more cost-effective? You can do the math yourself.
I’m not saying this just to sell more expensive bags. I just can’t stand some merchants who hype up second-layer leather, claiming it’s “durable”, “wear-resistant”, and “just like first-layer leather”.
Different. It will never be the same.
If the leather on your two-ply leather bag has started to peel, don’t fret or try to repair it. It’s a problem with the material itself, not due to improper use on your part.
Next time you buy a bag, remember to ask: Is it made of first-layer leather or second-layer leather?
If the merchant is vague and hesitant to give a direct answer, you should understand.
A 20-year-old factory that only tells the truth and makes good bags.
