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Thread: Steer hide vs bull hide?

  1. #1
    Join Date
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    Default Steer hide vs bull hide?

    I'm getting a custom ottoman made and asked about getting it upholstered with an aniline steerhide. Their leather dealer also dropped off bullhide samples. I didn't think there would be a difference, but they say it's even thicker than steerhide?

    Is this true? And do I have any reason to avoid bullhide for an ottoman?

    I'm told I'll need one hide. I have no idea what the price range would be for an aniline steer or bull hide.

  2. #2
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    Default Re: Steer hide vs bull hide?

    All good leather is steerhide. Hancock and Moore, for example, uses only Grade A Steerhide. Cowhide (female cow) is inferior and stretches too much. Lesser makers use cowhide.

    Bullhide? Never seen it. I've seen buffalo hides before - but never bullhide so I can't say.

    Thickness cut is determined by how the customer wants the leather split.

    Must be a small ottoman to only need one hide. There's automatically 30 % waste in each hide - sometimes more.
    Duane Collie
    Straight answers from thirty-six years in the business.
    My Private Messages are Disabled - Please ask questions here in the forum.

  3. #3
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    Default Re: Steer hide vs bull hide?

    I think this would be medium sized?

    Dimensions: 28-30”W x 25-27”D x 17-18”H

    The differerence between material and leather required is pretty big

    C.O.M. 54” Plain: 3 yards
    C.O.L. 57 square ft

    According to my math 3 square yards is only 27 square feet, but I understand that leather doesn't come off a roll.

    Looked at their leather book today and it definitely was bullhide, and was indicated in the documentation. Some of it cut very thick. Most from Italy. I'd rather not post the distributor as they normally only deal with designers, but I somehow sweet talked my way in thanks to the knowledge I learned from you and this forum!

  4. #4
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    Default Re: Steer hide vs bull hide?

    Correct, that's medium sized.

    57 s.f. is usable leather. Most hides are around 50 s.f. Factor in 30 % waste you need two hides, not one!
    Duane Collie
    Straight answers from thirty-six years in the business.
    My Private Messages are Disabled - Please ask questions here in the forum.

  5. #5
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    Default Re: Steer hide vs bull hide?

    Found some more info from a tanner in Chicago. Bull hide exists, and it's different than steer hide! http://horween.wordpress.com/2010/12...he-difference/

  6. #6
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    Default Re: Steer hide vs bull hide?

    That's a good read on hides....! Good find.
    Duane Collie
    Straight answers from thirty-six years in the business.
    My Private Messages are Disabled - Please ask questions here in the forum.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
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    Default Re: Steer hide vs bull hide?

    Quote Originally Posted by drcollie View Post
    All good leather is steerhide. Hancock and Moore, for example, uses only Grade A Steerhide. Cowhide (female cow) is inferior and stretches too much. Lesser makers use cowhide.
    No bull?
    Quote Originally Posted by Gabardine View Post
    Found some more info from a tanner in Chicago. Bull hide exists, and it's different than steer hide!
    I suspect that there's an availability issue - steers are raised for beef, so hides are plentiful. Bull hide and ox hide exist, but as the animals are kept for other reasons (breeding and as beasts of burden, respectively) their hides aren't going to be available in similar numbers.

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