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Brand Scorecard:
★★★★☆
Leather: 4.5
Hardware: 4
Design: 4
Engineering: 4
Craftmanship: 4.5
TOTAL: 4.21
Brand Website: songmont.com
TABLE OF CONTENTS
BRIEF HISTORY
Since its inception in 2013, Songmont has become a leading brand in the realm of experiential bag design. The brand draws inspiration from the rich heritage of the Orient, infusing its products with the timeless wisdom and exquisite aesthetics of this cultural tradition. Songmont's meticulous attention to detail ensures that each bag is crafted to blend seamlessly with its surroundings and reflect the natural beauty of the world.
Central to Songmont's ethos is a commitment to preserving natural resources and minimizing ecological impact, while creating durable leather goods. These principles are integral to the brand's identity and mission. The founder, Song, is a visionary in user-centered design with over 15 years of experience. Her deep empathy and intuition have led to a profound understanding of customer needs, which is evident in every facet of the brand. With global headquarters in Beijing and additional offices in Guangdong, Shanxi, New York, and Los Angeles, Songmont is committed to excellence and spreading its philosophy worldwide.
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 Songmont as a brand?
How would you rate Songmont as a brand?
5
4
3
2
PRODUCTS REVIEWED
Songmont Bag Review: Luna Bag vs. Chocolate Bag - Does the Brand Deliver on Expectations?
Songmont's Luna Bag
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Songmont's Chocolate Bag
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Today, we're diving into a detailed review of one of the most requested brands: Songmont. We have two bags on our review table: the Chocolate bag and the brand-new Luna bag. Many of you suggested this brand in the comments under my Polene and Strathberry reviews, hinting that it might be another value brand worth exploring in the leather market. But does Songmont really live up to the hype?
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.
First Impressions
CHOCOLATE BAG
The Chocolate bag immediately raised some concerns. The texture felt plasticky, which made me wary. According to the website, the material is "sponge-composite fine calf leather." This description heightened my concerns because it didn’t feel like real leather.
The interior material is described as "Chinese silk and sheep pattern microfiber leather," which further confused me. The hardware was described as having a "matte gold finish vintage effect, fade-resistant," yet it showed signs of wear after just a few months of use.
LUNA BAG
In contrast, the Luna bag impressed me from the start. The leather felt luxurious, and the design was elegant. However, I was apprehensive about the interior lining, described as "microfiber leather." In my experience, microfiber and leather do not mix well, often leading to deceptive marketing.
Detailed Inspection and Comparison
CHOCOLATE BAG
Starting with the Chocolate Bag, the material described as "sponge-composite fine calf leather" felt disappointingly artificial. Upon applying the acetone, I discovered a heavily sanded-down grain, indicative of a highly finished, plasticized surface. Although technically leather, it lacked the high-caliber feel expected from genuine leather.
The interior claimed to be "microfiber leather," turned out to be vinyl or PU upon closer inspection, with the acetone test revealing a fabric backing beneath the plastic layer. This misleading description of materials was disappointing.
Furthermore, the hardware, advertised as "matte gold finish vintage effect, fade-resistant," showed significant wear and tear, suggesting low-quality zamak with poor plating that did not meet the claimed durability.
LUNA BAG
The Luna Bag impressed with its high-quality leather. The acetone test revealed a thin protective finish over a beautifully grained cowhide, balancing protection with the natural grain’s aesthetic appeal. Although the interior was also described as "microfiber leather," it was actually vinyl or PU, repeating the misleading marketing issue.
However, the hardware was a highlight, featuring a durable PVD coating that resisted scratches and maintained its finish, indicative of superior materials and craftsmanship. The Luna Bag’s overall quality, from the leather to the hardware, surpassed that of the Chocolate Bag, showcasing better construction and material integrity. This bag exemplifies what a premium leather product should be, providing excellent value and a more satisfying experience.
Cost and Value Analysis
When examining the cost and value of the two Songmont bags, there are significant differences that impact their overall worth.
CHOCOLATE BAG
For the Small Chocolate Bag, the material cost is approximately 4-5 square feet of leather, estimated at $13. The hardware costs around $10, and the assembly labor in China is about $40, bringing the total production cost to roughly $63. Given the retail price of $279, the cost multiplier is a little over four, indicating a higher markup for a product that doesn't live up to its price tag in terms of quality.
LUNA BAG
The Luna Bag offers a much better value proposition. The material cost for this bag is around 5 square feet of higher-quality leather, estimated at $25. The hardware is superior, costing about $15, and the assembly labor is approximately $55, leading to a total production cost of around $95. With a retail price of $350, the cost multiplier is less than four, suggesting a more reasonable markup for a product that delivers on its promises. The Luna Bag's excellent leather quality, better craftsmanship, and durable hardware make it a worthwhile investment at its price point, unlike the Chocolate Bag, which fails to justify its cost.
Final Thoughts
Chocolate Bag: This bag does not meet expectations for its price. The leather quality is poor, the design uninspiring, and the hardware substandard. It feels like a cheap bag made of PU materials rather than a premium leather product. For $279, there are better options available, even within the same brand.
Luna Bag: This bag is a different story. The leather quality, design, and hardware all exceed expectations. For $350, the Luna bag offers excellent value, combining high-quality materials and sophisticated craftsmanship. This is a bag I can confidently recommend.
Conclusion
Songmont shows considerable potential, particularly with products like the Luna Bag, which demonstrates high-quality materials and sophisticated craftsmanship. However, their marketing practices need greater transparency, especially regarding the materials used in their products. Describing PU leather as "microfiber leather" is misleading and diminishes consumer trust. Addressing this issue and consistently maintaining the quality seen in the Luna Bag could help Songmont secure a strong position in the competitive leather goods market.
Our evaluation places these two bags on the Leatherverse Brand Matrix, revealing a significant gap in quality. The Luna Bag positions Songmont close to esteemed brands like Polene and Strathberry, reflecting its high quality. In contrast, the Chocolate Bag falls short, with subpar materials and misleading marketing, placing it closer to entry-level products. For Songmont to fully meet consumer expectations and solidify its reputation, it must address these inconsistencies and ensure that all products meet a high standard of quality and transparency. Thus, while the brand partially lives up to the hype, it needs to overcome these challenges to fully realize its potential.
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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