Comparisons
Full grain vs top grain
The same thing, by the industry definition.
The Leather Research Laboratory at the University of Cincinnati gives the ISO definition of full grain (the original grain surface with nothing buffed, snuffed or split away) and states that top grain leather is the same as full grain. Where grain has been buffed off and refinished, the Leather Working Group's term is corrected grain.
| Full-grain leather | Top-grain leather | |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Original grain surface, nothing buffed or split away (ISO) | Same as full grain (Leather Research Laboratory) |
| Layer | Top layer (grain split) | Top layer (grain split) |