The skin areas of the leather are defined according to a precise cut. The skin of a bovine is cut according to very precise rules, each cut part having different properties, they are used for different purposes.
Why cut the leather like that?
It is important to know that the skin is elastic to follow the movements of the body. This is called"stretching elasticity", the elasticity of the leather fibres in certain areas. Certain areas of the animal are subject to more or less deformation and movement. The consequence is that the leather areas will be more or less supple, more or less fine, more or less wrinkled/pleated but also more or less stretchable.
Example: butt is the area of the animal's back where the skin is stable during the animal's life. The flanks correspond to the animal's belly, which will grow and shrink over the seasons.
What are the hide areas of the leather?
The full hide (or half hide)
It is therefore the entire skin of the animal. It includes the shoulder, the butt and the flanks. It is often used for jobs requiring large pieces of leather (upholstery, saddle seats, etc.). It is called a half-skin when it is cut along the length of the shoulder at butt.
Our leather available in full hide or half hide : Angel
The shoulder
This part corresponds to the neck of the animal and is a part often wrinkled due to the movements of the animal's head. This part is used a lot because it can be lent in all directions. The neck can be used to make belts, bags, wallets, etc.
Our leathers available in neck : Niagara and Pykara
The butt
This is the rump of the animal. This is one of the thickest and firmest areas of skin. The flanks, shoulder and all extremities have been removed. The butt is considered the noblest part of the hide. This area does not have a sinew and can therefore be cut in any direction. This area is especially used for parts that need more strength (girths, reins, harnesses, saddle quarters, etc.).
Our Detian split leather is available in butt and half-butt.
Our Flaps leather Printed Gavarnie is available in half-butt.
Our stretched Boyoma leather is available in third of butt.
The back(or half back)
It's made up of the shoulder and the butt, i.e. a whole hide from which the sides have been removed. Its advantage is that it can be used for very long lengths, as in saddlery, for example. When this area is sold in halves, we speak of half-back. Half-back is used for leather parts requiring a long length, and as bridle leather.
