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Brand Scorecard:
★★★★☆
Leather: 4.5
Hardware: 4
Design: 4
Engineering: 4
Craftmanship: 4.5
TOTAL: 4.29
Brand Website:
TABLE OF CONTENTS
BRIEF HISTORY
The designers behind Crush are passionate about fashion and the world of leather. Based in Madrid, they have deep Andalusian roots and were raised in the beautiful town of Ubrique, renowned for its leather craftsmanship that serves the world's leading fashion brands. Their love for travel and discovery enhances their understanding of the world, providing the necessary inspiration for their products.
Crush embodies an elegant, simple, and sustainable style. The primary goal is customer satisfaction, offering products that provide confidence and security for daily life. Crush is designed to be the perfect ally for an all-terrain lifestyle, combining high-quality craftsmanship with practical elegance.
FIVE PILLARS OF A GOOD LEATHERCRAFT
CRITERIA | 5 (Very Strong) | 4 (Strong) | 3 (Mixed) | 2 (Limited) | 1 (Not Present) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Leather | A perfect balance of art and fashion of leather tanning. Rare and artisanal hides from exceptional tanneries | Good leathers for the application in hand. Coming from environmentally conscious tanneries | Average corrected leathers that do NOT require high-quality raw hides. Less info on the source of the leather | Low-quality leather choice with significantly less information about the sourcing practice. | Inferior sketchy leather derivates or non-leather materials. |
Hardware | Top of the line Stainless Steel or Brass Hardware with Highest Caliber Coatings | Common alloy or brass hardware with high-quality plating and thin protection that will last a good while. | Alloy hardware with acceptable coating. Lifetime may be impacted due to the coating of the hardware. | Serious flaws in the making and coating of the low-grade alloy hardware that is harmful to humans and the planet. | Non-metal, plastic, and non-durable hardware that is harmful to humans and the planet. |
Design | A professional design language that is unique and consistent with the brand | A creative take on a classical design concept | Minimal changes to common styles | Almost copy of common/famous designs. Dysfunctional elements. | Problematic design elements affect the functionality, durability, and aesthetics of the product. |
Engineering | Highly organized, sophisticated shape and form engineering with high-quality materials inside the craft. | Clean and quality inner support materials and structure | Acceptable cleanliness of inner work with medium-quality support materials | Messy inside with low-grade support elements | Complete lack of inner structure and craftsmanship. |
Craftsmanship | Expert craftsmanship with flawless, hand or machine stitching, demonstrating advanced skills. No visible errors; edge paint is avoided using superior techniques. | Perfect machine stitching with excellent edge finishing. Immaculate inside and out, with no visible flaws, showing a commitment to quality. | Good overall stitching and alignment with minor flaws. Acceptable edge finishing, with fairly clean interior and exterior. | Noticeable misalignment and sloppy workmanship. Multiple errors affect visual appeal, with untidy interior work. | Poor craftsmanship with missed stitches, visible errors, and uncleaned residues. Major issues that may affect durability. |
Overall Score | An incredible value for money that I have no problem recommending to anyone | Very good example of great quality for a great price without any risk to try | A considerable offer with a relatively high price. Make your choice at your own discretion | Consider it well within your own criterion as the quality/price is not a decision point I can recommend here | Stay away! |
READING MY ASSESSMENT SCORES
SCORE | NAME | DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|---|
5 | Strong Yes | ⭐ This grade is given to brands that present great value for the price they charge you for their product. I have no problem confidently recommending you check their products. These are the brands I reach out to ask if they can give me an affiliate link so your purchases using my link can support my content efforts. |
4 | Yes | 👍 This indicates that the brand meets all my expectations from the perspective of price and information they have about their products. I would happily buy their products at this level of quality/value score. This is the only other category of brands I request an affiliate link to support this channel to improve my Leathertainment content. |
3 | Mixed | ➖ There are areas that I found less than desirable for the quality/price performance I appreciate personally. Some high-end luxury brands may fall under this category given I am looking for tangible value in the products, ignoring the intangible brand prestige they may offer as a value to their customers. I am not a customer of these brands and I wouldn’t recommend them to my audience if they do NOT value brand logos. |
2 | No | 👎 This indicates that the product and the brand failed my expectations in significant ways and I won’t recommend them to anyone. |
1 | Strong No | ❌ This is the lowest assessment and indicates fundamental issues in the product and/or the brand. I would say look somewhere else. |
LEATHERVERSE MATRIX
The Leatherverse Brand Matrix visually compares leather brands based on sophistication and pricing, helping consumers understand their market positioning.
Legend
Vertical Axis: Ranges from simple artisan crafts to exclusive, master-crafted items.
Horizontal Axis: Covers pricing from low (no brand premium) to high (perceived luxury), with 2x multipliers for basic products and up to 15x for heavily marketed luxury items.
Diagonal Line: Represents the balance between price and performance. Brands on the line offer good value, those below suggest poor value, and those above offer exceptional value.
AUDIENCE & CUSTOMER'S PERSPECTIVE
Based on these criteria, how would you rate Crush Leather Good as a brand?
How would you rate Crush Leather Good as a brand?
5
4
3
2
PRODUCTS REVIEWED
Discovering Hidden Gems: The Crush Leather Goods
Crush Leather Good's Joy Syna Bag
Watch the videos here:
Since stumbling upon the charming village of Ubrique, renowned for its luxurious leather goods, I've been captivated by the unparalleled artistry displayed by its artisans. However, amidst the opulence of Ubrique's traditional luxury tradition, I stumbled upon a remarkable outlier, the Crush Leather Goods – a simple craft that caught my attention, reminiscent of Portland Leather Goods. Intrigued by the prospect of witnessing master artisans in Spain produce goods tailored for the American market, I embarked on a quest to explore this contrasting yet fascinating creation with this question in my mind: Will this brand meet our expectations in Ubrique's storied legacy of leather craftsmanship?
DISCLAIMER: This is an UNSPONSORED review. I purchased all of these products myself and am not affiliated with the brand mentioned in any way. All statements and expressions made about the products are solely the opinion of Tanner Leatherstein and are not meant to be conclusive or definitive. The purpose of this video is for informational and educational purposes only. We recommend that as a consumer, you exercise your due diligence and research on the products before adopting the opinion of Tanner Leatherstein.
Unveiling the Beauty of Simplicity
The Crush's Joy Syna bag, made in Ubrique, had a price tag of $177, which was notably higher than Portland's price points. Nonetheless, I was eager to inspect it firsthand and discern any differences. Impressively, the bag came with elaborate packaging, underscoring the meticulous attention to detail by the brand. Upon initial examination, the leather boasted an exceptional hand feel; it was a tumbled full-grain hide adorned with natural pebbles, lending it a substantial and luxurious texture.
Moreover, the absence of lining showcased the exquisite suede side, further attesting to the superior quality of the leather used. Despite its simple design, the bag was impeccably crafted, featuring precise machine stitching with thick threads. Overall, I found no flaws to nitpick, and the hardware surpassed expectations given the price point. But will these impressions remain unchanged once the bag is opened up for closer inspection?
Attention to Detail: The Mark of True Craftsmanship
As I opened the bag, I immediately noticed the meticulous attention to detail that had been applied. Despite its seemingly simple construction, every aspect had been carefully considered. They skived the edges to reduce thickness and prevent a bulky appearance when layers were stacked. Additionally, each piece was carefully adhered before stitching, ensuring a seamless finish. One particularly clever detail was the addition of an extra layer of leather at the bottom, providing unexpected rigidity and maintaining the bag's shape. While such nuances may seem minor, they contribute significantly to the overall quality of the product.
Applying acetone to remove the finish revealed a minimal coating, offering both color consistency and protection from dirt and elements. This balance allowed the natural grain of the leather to shine through while providing necessary standardization and protection. The leather itself was undeniably beautiful, with a vibrant suede underside that hinted at its superior quality.
The hardware, made from an alloy known as zamak, featured a pleasing coating that, while not top-of-the-line, exceeded expectations for a bag of this sophistication.
Value and Sustainability in Craftsmanship
I'm faced with approximately 6 square feet of stunning leather before me. My estimate puts the cost of this material at $40 for the entire project, which includes hardware. Additionally, assembly in Spain adds another $35 to the tally, resulting in a total expenditure of $75 for crafting a bag of this caliber, factoring in labor and materials.
However, the price I paid for this bag on their website was $177, inclusive of shipping from Spain. This stark difference between the production cost and retail price reveals a multiplier of 2x, which, in my opinion, poses a potential risk for sustaining a profitable business model.
Despite my reservations about the pricing strategy, I must admit that as a consumer, this represents incredible value. The quality of the leather and the attention to detail in this seemingly simple craft are truly commendable. It reaffirms my expectations of the craftsmanship originating from Spain, where artisans are renowned for their commitment to excellence, even in simpler designs.
This experience also provides a valuable point of comparison with the Portland products I've previously reviewed. Having firsthand knowledge of the production process in Portland, including the tanneries and workshops, I can attest to the disparities in pricing and craftsmanship. While the leather in Ubrique may come at a higher cost, it also reflects a higher standard of artisanal workmanship, making it an attractive alternative for those seeking superior quality and minimalistic style.
Conclusion
In conclusion, my journey through the world of leather craftsmanship has been both eye-opening and rewarding. From the luxury of Ubrique to the simple elegance of Portland, each place offers a unique view of leather crafting. While luxury may be tempting, it's the attention to detail and commitment to quality that really make artisans stand out. The Crush's Joy Syna bag is a strong example of the timeless appeal of great craftsmanship and the lasting legacy of Ubrique's artisans.
Scorecard
TANNER APPROVED!
★★★★☆ - 4.29
Criteria | Score | Results |
|---|---|---|
Leather | 4.5 | Good leathers for the application in hand. Coming from environmentally conscious tanneries |
Hardware | 4 | Common alloy or brass hardware with high-quality plating and thin protection that will last a good while. |
Design | 4 | A creative take on a classical design concept |
Engineering | 4 | Clean and quality inner support materials and structure |
Craftsmanship | 4.5 | Fair Value for quality with a brand premium: 5 to 6 x multiplier pricing. |
OVERALL SCORE | 4.21 | Very good example of great quality for a great price without any risk to try |
PRICE / COST MULTIPLIER | 5x | Fair Value for quality with a brand premium. |
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