The Difference Between Truly Handcrafted and Factory “Handmade”
Most people don’t realize this—and it’s not their fault.
When someone says an item is handmade, it usually is.
Just not in the way most of us picture it.
Over the years in our saddle shop, we’ve had countless conversations that start the same way. A customer will mention something they own that’s “handmade,” and we’ll smile and say:
“It probably is handmade… just not in this country, and it certainly isn’t one of a kind.”
That usually earns a pause.
Then a curious look.
Then a really good conversation.
This post is for someone who is tired of common goods and wants quality items—but hasn’t always had the words to explain why some things just feel different.
Let’s pull back the curtain a little.
What “Handmade” Means Today (and What It Used to Mean)
The word handmade has changed.
Today, it can mean:
Assembled by hand in a large workshop
Produced in volume using templates and repeatable steps
Touched by many hands, each doing one small part
Designed for consistency, speed, and scale
None of that automatically makes something bad.
But it does make it different.
What many people think handmade means is closer to what used to be common:
One maker (or a very small team)
Traditional tools
No assembly line
No rush
No two pieces exactly alike
That difference matters more than most folks realize.
Factory “Handmade” vs. Truly Handcrafted
Here’s the simplest way to understand it.
Factory “Handmade”
These items are often:
Made in batches—dozens, hundreds, or more
Cut from templates for uniformity
Built to look the same every time
Designed so multiple workers can repeat the same task
They’re efficient.
Predictable.
Consistent.
And for some people, that works just fine.
But they are not one of a kind.
Truly Handcrafted
This is where things change.
A truly handcrafted piece is:
Made start to finish by one maker or a small team
Built without the goal of perfect sameness
Shaped by the leather itself, not just a pattern
Influenced by time, hand pressure, and experience
In our shop, no two hides are identical.
No two days are identical.
And no two finished pieces are, either.
That’s not a flaw.
That’s the point.
Time Is the Quiet Difference No One Talks About
One of the biggest differences between factory handmade and truly handcrafted work is time.
Not just how long something takes—but how that time is spent.
Factory-made items are designed to move quickly:
Steps are streamlined
Decisions are already made
Speed matters
A handcrafted piece takes the time it takes.
Time to:
Select the hide
Cut carefully, not quickly
Tool or shape by hand
Let the leather respond
Finish, edge, and refine
That time shows up later—in how a piece wears, softens, and ages.
Mass-made items tend to wear out.
Handcrafted leather tends to wear in.
Why “One of a Kind” Isn’t Just a Phrase
When we say one of a kind, we mean it literally.
Even when we build the same design more than once:
The hide will be different
The tooling will vary
The hand pressure will change
The finished piece will have its own personality
That’s the nature of working with real materials and human hands.
It’s also why repair work matters so much to us. Over the years, we’ve seen what holds up—and what doesn’t. Common goods fail in predictable ways. Handcrafted leather tells a story instead.
Why This Matters When You’re Choosing What to Buy
Understanding this difference gives you something powerful: clarity.
You can start asking better questions:
Who made this?
How many were made?
Was this designed for volume or longevity?
And you can make choices that align with what you value—not just what’s labeled well.
If you’re someone who prefers:
Fewer things
Better things
Things with meaning
Then truly handcrafted work will always feel different in your hands.
A Gentle Invitation
If you value work that’s made patiently, intentionally, and one piece at a time, you may enjoy exploring what we create in our saddle shop.
Every piece we make is shaped by tradition, experience, and the belief that some things are still worth doing the careful way—without shortcuts, and without pretending everything should look the same.
Quality has a feel.
And once you notice it, you don’t forget it.
