3 Smart Buying Tips From a Leather Bags & Accessories Industry Veteran
Discover the untold truths about luxury leather that big brands keep under wraps. Mission Mercantile's CEO, Chuck Bowen, a recognized leader & veteran of the leather industry for almost two decades, reveals insider secrets that redefine quality and value.
Tip 1: Don't Overpay for Just the Brand Name
Remember, a big brand logo can significantly bump up the price. Often, you're paying more for the brand's reputation than the actual quality of the product. Always prioritize excellent materials, craftsmanship and guarantee over mere brand prestige.
Here's what you need to know to ensure you're choosing top-quality leather:
Remember, a big brand logo can significantly bump up the price. Often, you're paying more for the brand's reputation than the actual quality of the product. Always prioritize excellent materials and craftsmanship over mere brand prestige.
Here's what you need to know to ensure you're choosing top-quality leather:
Tip 1: Don't Overpay for Just the Brand Name
Remember, a big brand logo can significantly bump up the price. Often, you're paying more for the brand's reputation than the actual quality of the product. Always prioritize excellent materials and craftsmanship over mere brand prestige.
Here's what you need to know to ensure you're choosing top-quality leather:
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The Life of the Leather: The conditions an animal lives in — from the climate to its interactions within its environment — greatly influence the quality of its leather. Full-grain leather, which may show natural imperfections, is the most durable, by far. Premium steer hide leather, is considered superior to general cowhide (and therefore carries a higher price point), mainly because it is produced from younger cattle (18-24 months old) bred for their beef. General “cowhide” includes older cattle that may end up with more scars, stretch marks, bug bites, etc over their lifetime.
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Understanding Full Grain Leather: Full grain is the highest quality, premium bovine leather as its strong fibers and natural top layer grain remain intact.It undergoes minimal processing, meaning the hide is only tanned and the hair removed, without sanding or buffing. This process preserves the leather’s natural qualities, allows its pores to absorb oils, and develop a beautiful patina as it ages, enhancing its character over time. Looking for a rich, quality leather with the highest durability? Choose full grain steer hide leather.
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Top Grain Leather: Ranked just below full grain in quality, strength and durability, top grain leather is sanded, buffed or shaved down to remove any imperfections, which gives it a more consistent finish but at the expense of durability and the leather's natural aging process. This process removes the natural grain and patina of the leather, making it less distinctive than full grain leather. It's often used in products like handbags where a flawless appearance is more desirable. Top grain leather may also be split off from the rest of the hide, if a thinner, lighter weight leather good is desired.
Make sure to check what type of leather a brand uses — whether it’s full grain, ideally, or top grain (the next best) — to truly understand the quality and craftsmanship you're investing in.
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The Life of the Leather: The conditions an animal lives in — from the climate to its interactions within its environment — greatly influence the quality of its leather. Full-grain leather, which may show natural imperfections, is the most durable, by far. Premium steer hide leather is considered superior to general cowhide (and therefore carries a higher price point), mainly because it is produced from younger cattle (18-24 months old) bred for their beef. General “cowhide” includes older cattle that may end up with more scars, stretch marks, bug bites, etc over their lifetime.
-
Understanding Full-Grain Leather: Full-grain is the highest quality, premium bovine leather as its strong fibers and natural top layer grain remain intact. It undergoes minimal processing, meaning the hide is only tanned and the hair removed, without sanding or buffing. This process preserves the leather’s natural qualities, allows its pores to absorb oils, and develop a beautiful patina as it ages, enhancing its character over time. Looking for a rich, quality leather with the highest durability? Choose full-grain steer hide leather.
-
Top Grain Leather: Ranked just below full-grain in quality, strength and durability, top grain leather is sanded, buffed or shaved down to remove any imperfections, which gives it a more consistent finish but at the expense of durability and the leather's natural aging process. This process removes the natural grain and patina of the leather, making it less distinctive than full-grain leather. Though having a shorter life expectancy, it's often used in products like handbags where a flawless appearance is more desirable. Top grain leather may also be split off from the rest of the hide, if a thinner, lighter weight leather good is desired.
Make sure to check what type of leather a brand uses — whether it’s full-grain (ideally) or top grain (the next best) — to truly understand the quality and craftsmanship you're investing in.
Tip 2: Spend More Than You May Be Comfortable With
A true premium leather good won’t come cheap, but it's most definitely worth the investment. Higher initial prices for true craftsmanship translate to a longer lifespan and better aging of the product, making it much more cost-effective over time. That’s a core benefit of “Buy It For Life” (BIFL) - overall lower lifetime cost of ownership.
A true premium leather good is practically a work of art. It embodies the sheer beauty of meticulous, dedicated craftsmanship, transforming into a cherished heirloom that your grandchildren will fondly remember you by as they proudly continue its legacy throughout their lifetime … and beyond.
Tip 2: Spend More Than You’re Comfortable With
A true premium leather good won’t come cheap, but it's most definitely worth the investment. Higher initial prices for true craftsmanship translate to a longer lifespan and better aging of the product, making it much more cost-effective over time. That’s a core benefit of “Buy It For Life” (BIFL) - overall lower lifetime cost of ownership.
A true premium leather good is practically a work of art; it embodies the sheer beauty of meticulous, dedicated craftsmanship, transforming into a cherished heirloom that your grandchildren will fondly remember you by as they proudly continue its legacy throughout their lifetime… and beyond.
This isn't just something you buy—it's a timeless piece that tells a story of passion and precision, a testament to what can be achieved when care and attention to detail lead the way.
This isn't just "something" you buy—it's a timeless piece that tells a story of passion and precision, a testament to what can be achieved when care and attention to detail lead the way.
Tip 3: Look for Great Stitching ... (and Other Divinities in the Details)
Structure: Tiny imperfections in leather, such as veins and stretch marks, signify the authenticity of full-grain leather and are not defects. They help tell the story of the noble animal that helps us collect and carry our fond, lasting memories throughout our own lives.
Stitching: The durability of leather goods hinges on the quality of stitching; look for evenly spaced, straight stitches using strong German-spun polyester threads like those used at Mission Mercantile.
Tip 3: Look for Great Stitching... (and Other Divinities in the Details)
Structure: Tiny imperfections in leather, such as veins and stretch marks, signify the authenticity of full-grain leather and are not defects. They help tell the story of the noble animal that helps us collect and carry our fond, lasting memories throughout our own lives.
Stitching: The durability of leather goods hinges on the quality of stitching; look for evenly spaced, straight stitches using strong German-spun polyester threads like those used at Mission Mercantile.
Edges: Smooth, well-finished edges are a hallmark of quality; uneven coloring or blue tints may indicate poor finishing.
Water Resistance: Full grain leather naturally absorbs water due to its natural pores, while imitation products will repel it. Brands may decide to finish the top layer with a water-resistant treatment or conditioning.
Scratching: Full-grain leather may scratch but minor marks can usually be minimized with body heat (simply rubbing with your finger to redistribute surface oils), applying oils or a bit of conditioner.
Description and Labels: Beware of terms like "genuine leather," which may signify low quality, and ensure products have a clear "Country of Origin" label to guarantee transparency and authenticity. “Genuine leather” is produced from the “split”, much weaker layers of hide remaining after the top grain is removed. The “finished split” is actually suede that is refinished to resemble higher quality leather. Even though it’s a low quality remainder of the hide, many products like wallets and purses boast a ‘made from genuine leather’ tag. This simply means that it is “genuine” (natural) leather, but will not provide many years of service as will full grain leather.
Edges: Smooth, well-finished edges are a hallmark of quality; uneven coloring or blue tints may indicate poor finishing.
Water Resistance: Full-grain leather naturally absorbs water due to its natural pores, while imitation products will repel it. Brands may decide to finish the top layer with a water-resistant treatment or conditioning.
Scratching: Full-grain leather may scratch but minor marks can usually be minimized with body heat (simply rubbing with your finger to redistribute surface oils), applying proper oils or a bit of conditioner.
Description and Labels: Beware of terms like "genuine leather," which may signify low quality, and ensure products have a clear "Country of Origin" label to guarantee transparency and authenticity. “Genuine leather” is produced from the “split”, much weaker layers of hide remaining after the top grain is removed. The “finished split” is actually suede that is refinished to resemble higher quality leather. Even though it’s a low quality remainder of the hide, many products like wallets and purses boast a ‘made from genuine leather’ tag. This simply means that it is “genuine” (natural) leather, but will not provide many years of service as will full grain leathe
Is There a Person Who Hasn’t Overpaid for a Brand Just to Feel Silly Afterward?
"Every good we hand over feels like passing the torch from our family to yours. I believe we put a bit of soul into every piece, and holding a finished product always brings me back to my family’s mercantile roots. Back then - and to us now - integrity and craftsmanship were everything. A man’s (and my dad's) word was his bond, and deals were sealed with a handshake. That’s the standard we strive to meet every day at Mission Mercantile." shared Chuck Bowen, Founder & Mission Man. "Our wholly owned leather shop Blue Artisan Group is the trusted manufacturer for dozens of popular leather brands including Pendleton, Lucchese, King Ranch, Buffalo Jackson, Wren & Ivy, Nisolo, Colonial Williamsburg (Craft & Forged Collection) and many others..."
“Everybody … literally, all of us … wants to feel smart about our product choices, no matter how much or little we spend. And, we all want to be well taken care of after the sale. It’s easy to do that before the sale, but the real heartbeat of the brand appears after the sale is made. Every brand should take care of their customers with their own Mythical Customer CareTM.”
Perhaps it’s most obvious in Mission Mercantile’s duffle bags, for example.
Customer Michael Bishop shared this, “He (my dad and American war veteran) saw the logo of the shaking hands on the front, he asked, "what is that?" I said, well, they are a company built on integrity and they believe that business is sealed with a handshake just as in days gone by. He said, "Damn Right!" "When you shook a man's hand and looked him square in the eye, it was a deal!" Another veteran spoke up and said, "That is what we fought hard to protect, and still fight to protect, the ability to be able to do business with a handshake and the handshake mean something. God Bless Mission Mercantile and for upholding the integrity of the handshake."
U.S. Airforce Thunderbirds know excellence, and confidently carry and enjoy their Mission Mercantile Heritage Leather "Doc" Electronics Organizer / Toiletry Kits and Campaign Leather Bottle Koozies “We use’em everyday!! They are absolutely incredible.”
Tucker Carlson came to Chuck for his Heritage Waxed Canvas Bird Bag Trio and Gun Cleaning Mat. “What a beautiful piece of equipment this is. I hunted with it every week for months this winter, and liked it more every time. Beautifully designed. I can’t believe I ever used the Filson version. Someday I’ll give it to my son. Thank you!”
Have you ever hesitated to invest in a quality leather bag, thinking it was a decision for "someday"? Consider the regret of settling for lesser bags that fail to deliver and the impact a premium bag can have on first impressions, showcasing your taste and attention to detail.
Choosing a high-quality leather bag breaks the cycle of frequent replacements, offering not only long-term financial relief but also emotional satisfaction.
Imagine a bag that grows richer with your life's journey, possibly becoming a cherished heirloom. As you think about future adventures, reflect on how a dependable leather bag could enhance those experiences.
What stories will your choice of Mission Mercantile leather goods help you create?
Ideal for adventurers and daily commuters, our duffle combines rugged functionality with sleek design, ready for any journey.
★★★★★
"The craftsmanship is second to none, as is the design and functionality. Did I mention it looks awesome, too? I want to buy the rest of this line as soon as I can afford to. I’ll be a customer for life."
- Paige N.
Ideal for adventurers and daily commuters, this duffle combines rugged functionality with sleek design, ready for any journey.
★★★★★
"The craftsmanship is second to none, as is the design and functionality. Did I mention it looks awesome, too? I want to buy the rest of this line as soon as I can afford to. I’ll be a customer for life."
- Paige N.
Designed for practical travelers, this bag offers robust durability and style in equal measure, ready to tackle any challenge.
★★★★★
"Very pleased. Excellent quality, spacious, and has a good number of pockets. Very sturdy construction."
- Robert J.
A bestseller that redefines luxury travel with its premium leather and elegant design, perfect for the sophisticated traveler.
★★★★★
"This bag reeks quality: the thick, supple, pebbled leather; the copper rivets; the careful attention to detail, with every stitch perfect (I checked)."
- Neil C.
A bestseller that redefines luxury travel with its premium leather and elegant design, perfect for the sophisticated traveler.
★★★★★
"This bag reeks quality: the thick, supple, pebbled leather; the copper rivets; the careful attention to detail, with every stitch perfect (I checked)."
- Neil C.
