alma pm epi top edge help

[wanderlust29]

I just purchased an alma pm in carmine epi from Fashionphile for a very good price. it was listed as “excellent” and I am indeed extremely happy with the condition which seems actually more like new, there’s no sign of wear anywhere. As I’m examining it I start to second guess if it’s too good to be true, but everything looks quite authentic including trademarks, stitching, zipper etc the common things. The one thing that I’m not sure about is there is roughness on the top edge of the bag along the zipper, it seems like it’s not “finished” as in there’s no glazing (or if it is, it’s a bit rough and not smooth like the handles and other places), and there are speckles of red leather. It kind of seems like the leather just got cut and didn’t get finished. Given the alma shape, this is how it looks along the entire course of the zipper. I don’t know how else to describe it. I’ve attached a photo. Since this is my first epi I don’t know what to expect along the edges so any input would be helpful! I’m hoping this is just normal because I really loooove this bag, but don’t want to delude myself if this is not normal since I can still return it. Thank you so much in advance!!

 

[BULL]

These are just single layers of leather, they are usually just painted on their edges. If you look closely, they applied the same technique to the leather tabs that connect the handles to the bags. Since there are multiple layers stitched together on the handles, they are coated with a thicker layer of this wax-based paint, and they achieve the "glazed" look. Although in many cases even that edgepaint doesn't become shiny. Depends.
The "glazing" is applied by an industrial rotating wheel, it is very fast, paints and glazes extremely quicky, but because of this, it is very inaccurate. It works OK on leathers with even surfaces, but when used on a grained leather, it fails. Dark paint on most light Empreinte or Taurillon pieces bleed onto the side very badly.
The edges you see around the zipper and the handle tabs are painted with a q-tip, by hand. Not as thick and sturdy, but more precise. Both kind of edge coating wears off over time, the painting is more quickly. The red speckles are a sign of that. Épi is dyed all the way through, and since it is genuine cowhide, the underside is "hairy", that is why paint wears off more easily there, and shows the original colour of the leather.
If I were you, I would keep the bag if this was your only concern. Actually is just shows that even though it was taken care of extremely well, it is not brand new. But that is OK, and it is a very very nice bag.

 

[wanderlust29]

Oh that makes sense! I just looked, you are right the tabs are always painted not glazed. Thanks for your thorough reply. Definitely will keep it, absolutely love it!