| Résumé : |
Most of the grain defects in leather occur during the life of the animal on the farm and, indeed, the quality of the leather lies very much in the hands of the farmer, but the farmer is generally unaware of the extent of the damage or the financial losses involved.
In the last year an exhibit produced by BLMRA and the Leather Institute has been shown at agricultural shows with the aim of showing the farmer how the damage may be minimised.
On the same subject, a paper has been given to the Dermatology Group of the British Veterinary Association and also to the Association of Meat Inspectors. During the preparation of this paper a selection was made from the large collection of photographs of skin diseases made by BLMRA over the years. As it is the first time these photographs have been collected together in this form, this paper is presented here for the interest of tanners.
The aesthetic quality of leather depends to a very great extent on the fine smooth outer or grain surface, which is exposed once the tanner removes the epidermis and hairs by means of chemicals during the early stages of processing. Character is given to this surface by the mouths of the hair follicles, which are grouped in patterns that are distinctive according to the animal type from which the skin was taken. For example, Fig. 1 shows the grain surface of leather prepared from cattle hide and here the follicle mouths are all equal in size and arranged in rows.
Figure 2 shows the grain surface of leather produced from fine woolled sheep, such as Merino: here the numerous wool follicles are arranged in groups.
This outer surface of the leather is frequently marred by damage to the skin during the life of the animal, damage caused by parasites, abrasion, dung and the injections and brands applied by the farmer.
In the United Kingdom the main bulk of leather is produced from skins of cattle and sheep, so the defects in this paper are restricted to these two animal types. |
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Leather defects originating at the farm and at the abattoir in JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY OF LEATHER TECHNOLOGISTS & CHEMISTS (JSLTC), Vol. 61 et 62 (Années 1977 et 1978)
