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Handmade vs Machine-Made Leather

At a glance, they might look similar. Use them for a year, and the difference is undeniable.

	Handmade	Machine-Made
Stitching	Saddle stitch — independent stitches, won't unravel	Lock stitch — linked stitches, can unravel from one break
Edge Finish	4-5 layers of edge paint, sanded and polished to a mirror finish	One coat of edge paint, no sanding
Leather	Full-grain Italian veg-tan, shell cordovan, exotic	Split leather, bonded leather, or PU-coated
Hardware	Solid brass or stainless steel	Zinc alloy (lightweight, tarnishes quickly)
Lifespan	15-30 years	2-5 years
Aging	Develops patina, looks better with time	Wears out, looks worse with time
Uniqueness	One of a kind	One of thousands
Price	Higher upfront, lower cost per year	Lower upfront, higher cost per year

The Math

A 400 RMB handmade wallet that lasts 20 years = 20 RMB per year.
A 100 RMB machine-made wallet that lasts 3 years = 33 RMB per year.

The handmade wallet is cheaper — you just pay differently.