[Are you now a leather expert?] Here are some fun facts about cowhide!

Hello, I'm HushTug's guitarist.

Did you know that different parts of an animal have different leather characteristics?

At HushTug, we use cowhide leather to make our products.

Because we use natural leather, you can enjoy the unique texture of natural leather, such as scars (scars that occurred when the cow was alive) and blood vessels.

Some brands use only the clean parts, excluding any scratches or blood vessels, but at HushTug we value the unique texture of natural leather and strive to use as much of the cowhide as possible.

To do this, it is essential to understand the characteristics of each part when making it!

So, this time we will introduce the names and characteristics of the parts of cowhide.

This may be a bit of nerdy knowledge, but it's a good opportunity so I hope everyone can learn it too!

table of contents

1. Characteristics and types of leather
(1) Shoulder
(2) Bends (Back)
(3) Butt
(4) Belly
2. Summary

1. Characteristics and types of leather

The image above shows uncut cowhide, known as "one piece of leather."

Since it is not cut, the cow is cut open from the stomach. Leather that is cut in half down the back of the cow is called "han-sai", and most of the leather sold in retail stores is han-sai.

Also, the area of ​​leather is counted as 1ds (deci).

1ds is 10cm tall x 10cm wide.
For natural leather, it depends on the item, but half a cut will cost around 200 to 300 ds.

Even when it comes to "cowhide," the texture of the leather varies greatly depending on the environment in which it was grown and individual differences.

Furthermore, even within the same cow, the texture and characteristics vary depending on the part, so let's take a look at the characteristics of each part!

(1) Shoulder

The shoulder is the part that combines flexibility and strength.

Since it is a part of the body that is moved frequently, it is very durable and is highly valued when making leather products. In addition, the "tiger pattern" that is often seen on the shoulder part, which is a characteristic of natural leather, is often seen on the shoulder part and is popular as something that enriches the look of the leather.

At HushTug, this is a part that is often used on the surface of leather totes and business bags.

(2) Bends (back)

Along with shoulder straps, the part of cowhide that is most commonly used is the "Bends."

The bends are characterized by their large surface area and high fiber density compared to other parts. They are fine-grained, strong, and uniform with little variation.

It is often used for leather belts and bag shoulder straps where you do not want to use seams.

(3)Butt

The "Butt" is the part that has fewer wrinkles and is firmer than the shoulder.

This part of the skin, which is strong and wrinkle-resistant, is used as a high-quality leather material, including cowhide and other animals. In particular, horsehide is called "cordovan" and is famous as a high-quality leather material.

This leather is moderately soft and pleasant to the touch , and is often used when making wallets.

(4) Belly

The "Belly" is a thin and relatively soft part.

Its surface area is very small, only extending to the stomach and the base of the legs, and its uses are limited. It is thin and stretchy, and is often used for lining bags and making small items.

2. Summary

What did you think?

This time we introduced the characteristics of each part of leather and the types of products they are used for.

Each part has its own characteristics and can be used for a variety of purposes.

When making bags, leather craftsmen think about using strong leather for parts that will be particularly subject to stress.

When you understand the thoughts of the maker of the bag, you will feel even more attached to it, even though you use it every day without thinking about it!

When you pick up a genuine leather product, be sure to enjoy the difference in texture.

Thank you for reading to the end.

HushTug