August 10, 2022

A Leather Belt Manufacturer: Finding the Real Deal

Who wouldn’t want a real leather belt? A belt is one of the most hardworking pieces of clothing as we often have one or two that we will typically wear almost every day, which is why you need to invest in quality. Fake leather belts might be cheaper but they also start breaking and falling apart a lot sooner. 

In this article, we will explain how you can discern whether or not your leather belt manufacturer is making use of real leather. 

Identify an Authentic Leather Belt Manufacturer in South Africa

Since fake leather has become almost indistinguishable from real leather visually, one has to rely on a few other senses to discern whether you are dealing with real leather. There are three main identifiers when testing and searching for a real leather piece.

  • Smell the Belt: Real leather has a very distinct aroma that is due to the tanning process that it is put through. The process starts with removing the moisture stuck in the leather by means of salt curing. Next, lime treatment is performed to remove any unwanted hair or proteins. It is then treated with enzymes to remove the excess lime and soften the leather. Lastly, it is pickled by making use of salt. All of these processes leave a distinctive smell that is earthy and rich with a hint of oak. 
  • Feel for Quality: The feeling of a leather belt gives its authenticity away immediately. Real leather is supposed to feel soft, yet grainy as well as flexible and warm. Real leather will also typically have the same feeling throughout and won’t change the texture. 
  • Look for a Patina: Over time, real leather is known to build up a patina. This is a shiny layer that forms due to use and coming into contact with skin and other materials. 

Find Leather Belt Manufacturer Johannesburg 

At Trident we make use of authentic and high-quality leather to manufacture belts, leather menu covers, and a variety of other leather products to suit your needs. All you have to do is give us a call and find out how we can help you manufacture your leather piece.