Types

Know them

Links

Synthetic Leather (Leatherette, Faux leather, Vegan Leather, Pleather)

What is it?

Fake Leather (PU) gives you a feel of plastic.

How is it made? Chemicals

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VODTvapjCQw

Some examples on a local shopping site:

http://www.lazada.sg/catalog/?q=synthetic+leather+belt

Problems: looks cheap, degrades/cracks easily.

http://fauxleatherguide.com/how-to-prevent-faux-leather-from-cracking.html

Bonded Leather (Reconstituted leather or  Blended leather)

What is it?

Waste scraps of unwanted leather pressed together by a bonding agent, covered with a skin. You see them in major department stores. Price tag around 20$ to 40$.

How is it made? Scraps and glues

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bonded_leather

Some examples on a local shopping site:

http://www.zalora.sg/Black-Casual-Leather-Jeans-Belt-394758.html

Problem with it: peel off easily.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-qt-eM0UeKI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UkKKSDAXMKM

Genuine Leather

What is it?

Several layers of low quality leather bonded together with glue and then painted to look like a better-quality leather.

How is it made? Inferior leather and glues

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=crlLIvd9tvo

Some examples on a local shopping site:

http://www.lazada.sg/fashion-mens-genuine-leather-vintage-classic-pin-buckle-waistband-strap-belts-black-export-1135560.html

Problem with it: Not durable

Different layers has different physical strength and viscocity. One layer end-up ensuring too much force, and break before other layers.

Full-grain Leather

What is it?

Single full layer of good quality leather

How is it made?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vbTCeYwt_g

Some examples on a local shopping site:

http://www.zalora.sg/Men-Pin-Buckle-Full-Grain-Leather-Belt-Brown-379809.html

Problem

Sometimes price is too high