All leather is split, into uppers and lowers. The Lowers go into non-furniture applications such as belts, harnesses, industrial products, shoes, etc. The uppers become gloves, designer purses, jackets, and furniture leather, etc. Its not an exact process, and I think you'll see variances in the splits from one batch to another from the same tannery, and I'm sure some cows have thicker skin than others, too!
Its usually not much an issue, and its pretty rare to seen any leather worn through the thickness on furniture. Thinner hides do tailor crisper and tighter than the thicker ones, however.
Duane Collie
Straight answers from thirty-six years in the business.
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