So you wish to purchase a genuine leather wristband, but not sure if it is high quality?

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First, you must understand that leather is simply the skin of an animal.  Therefore, any product claiming “genuine leather” is simply stating that the product began from the sking of an animal.  This doesn’t mean it is high quality.
High quality leather isn’t made of various scraps of leather sown together, like so many cheap leather products.  So if you want a quality leather wristband or watch band.  Make sure it isn’t made of scraps of leather sown together.
Secondly, a higher grade of leather is consistent in color and very smooth.  It feels supple.  Less quality leather is slightly imperfect, and the lowest quality of leather is not consistent in color, feels stiff, and has excessive coatings used in processing to hide imperfections.
Third, don’t go by the “softness” of the leather.  Lambskin by nature is a very soft leather.  Cow hide, on the other hand, has a very noticeable texture, and feels grainy.  So if it is made from a lamb, expect it to be soft, and if it is made from a cow, expect it to be more stiff.

So when choosing a quality leather wristband or leather watch band, notice the seams and needle marks.  If it is colored different on both sides, the leather was probably only surface-dyed—a sign of less quality leather.  When leather is dyed on both sides, it tends to be higher quality (called aniline-dyed).  All of the leather wristbands and watch bands at The Level Collection are aniline-dyed.
Next don’t be alarmed at some natural markings.  Unsightly blemishes, on the other hand, indicate lower quality leathers.  The natural markings of the animal are marks of beauty and shouldn’t be frowned upon.  The leather wristbands and watch bands only come from the highest quality leather, so you will not see unsightly blemishes on this leather.
Penultimately, the leather should smell like leather, not chemicals. Some companies hide the natural smell of leather with harsh and even toxic chemicals, so if you don’t like the smell, don’t buy it.

Finally, the leather should be smooth, and feel soft to the touch, without bumps.   It should flex easily too.  All of the wristbands and watch bands at The Level Collection are without doubt, soft, smooth and without bumps.

There is no question that there are choices of leather wrist- and watch bands on the market—so choose wisely and you will not be disappointed.  Watch for my next article on Tea tree oil as the means of treating your leather wristband or leather watch band!