Ultimate Guide to Authenticating Louis Vuitton Bags (II)

Hardware

1. Plating Quality

• Authentic: The metal plating is thick, high-quality, and slightly matte (not overly shiny).

• Fake: The plating looks cheap and flashy (like "bling" gold) and tends to peel or fade quickly.

2. Engraving Comparison

• Authentic:

  • Engraving is precise and clean (raised letters, known as "阳刻" or embossed engraving).

  • Edges are smoothly polished with no rough spots.

• Fake:

  • Engraving is blurry, uneven, and poorly defined.

  • No polishing—edges are rough, and the base of the engraving appears bumpy and unfinished.

Visual Check:

• Compare the two zipper pulls side by side—the fake one has a cheap, low-quality look, while the authentic piece feels refined and well-crafted.

Left: Fake / Right: Authentic.

First, let’s observe the surface differences. The fake one has an uneven texture—covered in tiny bumps and fine scratches—while the authentic piece is perfectly smooth.

The counterfeit hardware is made with cheaper molds, so the craftsmanship is far less refined compared to the real deal. Now, look closely at the engraved letters:

• Fake: The engraving is inconsistent in depth, with a rough, uneven feel.

• Authentic: The engraving is uniform and precise, with no variation in depth.

Another telltale sign? The fake hardware’s low-quality metal distorts during stamping, causing the edges of the letters to appear stretched and messy. In contrast, the authentic engraving is sharp, clean, and flawless.

(Visual comparison: Left—Fake with rough edges; Right—Authentic with crisp lettering.)

Before examining the zipper, here's an important fact: Luxury brands typically don’t manufacture their own zippers. Instead, they partner with specialized suppliers like YKK. However, LV is an exception—while they do use YKK zippers, you won’t find the "YKK" logo on them.

🚨 If you see "YKK" stamped on an LV zipper, it’s 100% fake! (Talk about a red flag.)

1. Engraving Quality

   • Fake:

     • Letters are distorted, uneven, and poorly stamped.

     • Edges show rough scratches and imperfections.

   • Authentic:

     • Even with wear and tear, the engraving remains sharp, clean, and well-defined.

2. Surface Finish

   • Fake:

     • Cheap metal leads to visible flaws (scratches, bumps) even when new.

   • Authentic:

     • High-quality metal maintains smoothness and precision over time.

Spot the Difference?
The fake zipper’s blurry, messy engraving vs. the authentic one’s crisp, flawless lettering is a dead giveaway.

💡 Remember: No "YKK" logo + clean engraving = ✅ Real deal.
"YKK" stamp + sloppy details = ❌ Fake.

(Left: Fake / Right: Authentic)

Side Curve Comparison (Left: Fake / Right: Authentic)

The authentic side profile follows a smooth, rounded arc—like a segment of a perfect circle. The fake, however, is nearly straight with no refined curvature. Luxury brands prioritize artistic precision in every detail, and this is no exception.

Hardware Color & Texture

• Authentic (Older Models - Classic Monogram):

  • Zippers/hardware are not overly shiny gold—instead, they have a subtle bronze tone with a semi-matte finish (not full matte, but not glossy either).

  • Note: Newer LV releases may use brighter hardware, but this guide focuses on classic styles.

• Fake ("Super A" Replica Example):

  • The fake zipper (left) is too reflective and "cheap bright"—even if it mimics the bronze hue, it lacks the depth and muted sophistication of the real deal.

  • Engraving: Fake lettering is flat and uneven, while the authentic (right) is crisp, deeply stamped, and 3D.

Visual Clues:

1. Color:

   • Fake = Flashy, artificial shine.

   • Authentic = Understated bronze with a natural luster.

2. Engraving:

   • Fake = Blurry edges, shallow stamping.

   • Authentic = Sharp, uniform, and sculptural.

Zippers

1. Stitching Review (Left: Fake / Right: Authentic)

• Authentic: Stitches follow the "left-low, right-high" rule with even spacing.

• Fake: Stitching is irregular—either too straight or unevenly spaced.

2. Font Characteristics

Observe the two lines of text:

• "LOUIS VUITTON" & "MADE IN FRANCE" → Flattened, wider font.

• "PARIS" → Taller, narrower font.

Letter-Specific Details:

1. "O" → Almost a perfect circle.

2. "N" → Nearly square-shaped, with sharp pointed ends.

3. "V" → Extremely sharp bottom (like a dramatic "V" shape).

4. "A" → Pointed top (resembles a "witch’s hat").

(Note: The fake logo often fails to replicate these precise proportions—letters may look bloated, uneven, or too rounded.)

3. Visual Comparison

• Authentic:

  • Clean, crisp stamping with consistent depth.

  • Letters maintain sharp angles and distinct shapes.

• Fake:

  • Blurry or sloppy engraving.

  • Letters appear stretched, uneven, or too thick.

Key Takeaway:

• "O" = ⚪️ Perfect circle

• "N" = ⬜️ Square-like with sharp tips

• "V" & "A" = 🔽 Exaggerated points

Logo

Date Code Decryption Guide

1. Basic Structure
   Every authentic Louis Vuitton item carries a date code consisting of:

• 2 letters (factory location code)

• 4 digits (production date)
  Note: Some very rare exceptions exist

2. Date Code Timeline

• Pre-2006: Positions 1&3 = month; Positions 2&4 = year

• 2006 onward: Positions 1&3 = week; Positions 2&4 = year

3. Factory Location Codes

• France: AA, AAS, AC, AN, AR, AS, BA, BJ, CT, DU, ET, FL, MB, MI, NO, RA, RI, SD, SL, SN, SP, SR, TH, TR, TS, VI, VX

• Italy: BC, BO, CE, FO, MA, NZ, RC, RE, TD, RO

• Spain: CA, GI, LB, LM, LO

• USA: FC, FH, LA, OS, SD

• Switzerland: DI, FA

• Germany: LP, PO

4. Verification Method
   The factory code must match the "Made In" stamp:
   Example: MI3187 must correspond with "Made in France"

5. Date Decryption
   Pre-2007 Example: 0056 → May (05) 2006 (06)
   Post-2007 Example: 4117 → Week 41 of 2017
   *Note: LV recognizes up to week 53 (never week 54+)*

6. Common Locations

• Interior pockets (most common)

• Interior leather tabs

• Printed on fabric linings (epi, vernis)

• Hot-stamped on leather interiors

• Vintage pieces: often on straps or side leathers

Red Flags:

• Mismatched factory code and "Made In" stamp

• Impossible dates (month 13+ or week 53+)

• Missing or illegible codes on modern pieces

• Poor stamp quality (blurry, uneven)

Remember: Date codes are just one authentication factor - always examine craftsmanship, materials, and hardware for complete verification.