Defects in leather

When a leather is prepared many defects occur in it during the process. These defects are due to the human mistake, animal disease, inhospitable weather conditions, and there are number of reasons.

There are basically two type of defects antimortem and postmorten defect. Antimortem defects are defect which occur in their lifetime. Postmortem defects are defect which occur after their life that is after death.

These are some area where defect is found.

ANTIMORTEM DEFECTS

Dung Marks- Manure burns

These marks occur due to the feces stick on the animal surface for long period. If they are not removed soon they damages the leather surface. The pores of leather become bigger. Therefore, leather becomes unusable.

Pitch Fork Injuries

These injuries occur due to the sharp objects present in farm also known as goad marks. The leather become unusable from that particular area.

Barbed Wire

When animals goes to the field for food. The field boundary have a fencing wire so that animal go not go far away. So while having food they get in touch with wires which cause mark on their body. These marks are known as barbed wire. The scars spread across the skin and make leather defective.

Horn Scratches

In many villages people love to watch bullfight. So during the bullfight they got horn mark which become defect on leather.

Surgical Scar

Many female animals have their surgeries for delivering the baby. So during surgeries they got mark on the skin which lasts as defect. These area are removed during upper making.

Neck Wrinkles

These are the growth marks. This occur to aged animals when the animal grow wrinkle occur on the neck of the animal. These wrinkle give an uneven impression on leather.

Insects Bite

When animal live in farms. There are many insect present there. Insects bite the animal surface and leave marks on their skin. These are known as insect bite.

Brand Mark

When animal are in farm they are marked with stamp so that we van be identified by their owner. These mark become permanent and stays as defect on leather. These area become unusable.

POSTMORTEN DEFECTS

Wart

When leather is being prepared through tanning process. They passed through many machines due to which they tear or the quality gets decreased.These are wart defect.

Flay Cut

At time of removing skin from animal body flay occur. It is a human mistake. Due to this quality of leather deteriorates.

Vulture Mark

In villages dead animal are left lying. Due to which vulture eat them and leave sharp claws. Some times dog and jackal also eat them. This lowers the value of leather.

Burns

When hide or skin is wet they are dried on wood fire. This damages the leather and reduce the quality of leather.

Putrefaction

After flaying if the hides and skins are not preserved immediately the putrefaction may start and even can damage the whole lot of hides/skins. If the curing of the hides and skins is not sufficient it causes local damage. Sun blister may form and the interior portion of the hide may partially putrefy during transit or storage.

Originally published at http://www.footwearsb.com on August 6, 2020.