Leather/Care

OUR LEATHER

Gruntled bags are made from genuine New Zealand cowhide, in finishes designed to enhance the natural beauty of the leather. Variations in colour and texture are to be expected, and healed scars and markings may be present. These are not defects, rather they give authentic and unique character to your bag. Furthermore, the leather will continue to develop it’s own patina and character with use over time. Linings are a durable synthetic fabric.   

CARE OF YOUR BAG

Apply a colourless leather balm or polish regularly, especially to corners and areas of high wear, using a soft light coloured cloth with gentle pressure. Superficial scratches can be buffed out in the same way, using gentle pressure in a circular motion. Use only a small amount of balm/polish on the cloth – you can always add more. Don’t panic if the balm/polish temporarily darkens the leather, it will lighten again as it dries. You may also spray your bag with a waterproof leather spray, the type made for shoes.  Clean your bag by wiping with a cloth lightly dampened with water only. Do not use cleaning agents. Dry away from direct heat. Store out of direct sunlight.

GUARANTEE

Gruntled bags are guaranteed against defects in manufacturing and materials for 12 months from purchase. Note this does not include natural markings in the leather as described above, normal wear from use, particularly rubbing; softening of the leather through use, or damage caused by abnormal use such as overloading.

If for any reason you are not gruntled with your purchase, get in contact, and we will do what we can to put it right by way or refund, replacement or repair depending on the circumstances. Note Made to Orders will not be refunded for reasons of ‘changing your mind’.

Beyond 12 months please contact us to enquire. Note we do not repair bags of other brands, please try your local bag and shoe repairer.

MORE ABOUT LEATHER

What are ANILINE and PIGMENTED leathers?

In basic terms, with ANILINE leathers, the colour you see on the surface of the leather has been dyed into the leather, and the surface is the top surface of the hide. These are considered the most natural looking leathers, and show natural grain and sometimes minor healed scars in the cowhide. They will develop their own patina over time with use and age, creating that 'worn in' look. Although they are more vulnerable to staining, they will not crack, and will last decades with a little care such as applying a colourless leather dressing or polish regularly.

PIGMENTED leathers have been sprayed on the surface with a fine layer of pigment colour. This results in an even, uniform colour across the leather. It is easier to clean than aniline, and more resistant to staining. The quality and finish of pigmented leathers can vary greatly - the best quality will be made with the top grain of the hide, and have colour dyed through the hide also. They may show the natural grain, or have 'corrected grain', where a grain texture has been embossed over the entire surface of the leather, again to create a uniform look, and hide scars and natural imperfections. Pigmented leathers are eventually subject to surface cracking in places of high wear, as the pigment layer wears down.

SEMI-ANILINE and variations-

There are a wide range of finishes that can be applied to leather. Semi-aniline is somewhere in between aniline and pigmented, with a light surface finish of pigment, varnish, wax or a combination.

***GRUNTLED uses NZ produced cowhide, primarily in ANILINE and SEMI-ANILINE finishes***