Full-Grain, Top-Grain, Genuine: What Leather Grades Actually Mean
Why it matters:
Ages beautifully: develops a patina over time
Incredibly durable: resists wear, cracking, and stretching
Breathable: retains natural oils and flexibility
Ethically timeless: lasts decades with care
At Kestrel Leather, all our thick heavy duty belts and wallets are made from full-grain hides, which we cut, bevel, and finish by hand in Historic Downtown Gallup, NM.
✅ If it’s full-grain, it’s real leather in its most natural and honest form.
Top-Grain Leather: Sanded and Smoothed
Top-grain leather is the second-highest grade. It’s made by splitting the hide and sanding off the outermost surface to remove imperfections. The result? A more uniform look, but less natural durability.
Downsides:
Loses strength due to surface sanding
Less breathable
Often factory-finished with coatings that can crack over time
Patina? Not really
While some brands use top-grain to achieve “clean” aesthetics, we prefer the authenticity of the real thing.
Genuine Leather: Technically Real, Practically Junk
“Genuine leather” sounds good—until you realize it’s a marketing term for the lowest usable grade of real leather.
It’s made from the layers left over after the top and full grain are removed, often glued or bonded together.
Why to avoid:
Wears out quickly
Easily cracks or peels
No patina development
Often smells of synthetic chemicals
If your last belt cracked in under a year, it was probably “genuine leather.” The kind sold at malls, gas stations, and on Amazon for $19.99. Not here.
Why We Only Use Full-Grain at Kestrel Leather
Everything we make—our belts, bags, and accessories—is meant to last a lifetime. That’s only possible with full-grain, vegetable-tanned leather.
We hand-select our hides for their natural beauty and strength. No fillers. No shortcuts. No sanding off the soul of the hide.
Every scratch, scar, and variation tells a story—and our products are built to carry yours, for decades.
Crafted on Route 66. Built to Last Anywhere.
Our leather goods are made in Historic Downtown Gallup, NM, right on Route 66. A region steeped in grit, authenticity, and heritage craftsmanship.
From our Thick Heavy Leather Belts to our Navajo Rug Purses, the materials and methods we use reflect a commitment to real quality—not mass production.
Invest in the Real Deal
Skip the bonded junk and buy a belt that will outlive the one you’re wearing now.
✅ Full-grain leather
✅ Handmade in New Mexico
✅ Custom sizing available👉 Shop the Thick Heavy Leather Belt – it’s the last belt you’ll ever need.
