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.
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.
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!
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.
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/
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.
No bull?
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.