AWL is thicker than Samba leather and has a more pronounced pebble grain. Also the styles used
are very different... the AWL collections are 'equestrian' inspired and always (?) have contrast trim.
For leather purists, I think that AWL uses a better quality piece of leather.... in technical terms
and also in the weight of the leather. But.... since this info isn't disclosed, it's really just a guess.
The original AWL was shrunken and the Dooney web site describes the AWL 2 as shrunken also,
to achieve the water resistance. I don't know how the Samba leather is processed. but its not
shrunken like AWL. That is the only leather that goes thru that process.
The more I learn about leather, the more questions I have. And if we like something, does it
matter if something else is 'better' by some definition?
I like Samba leather. While I also like AWL, it's too heavy for me in the larger bags
that I tend to use.
