What Part of the Cow is the Hide?
Rawhide, Full grain leather, and Rough surface area are the main features of hides. Read on to learn more about the qualities of each type of leather and how they are produced. Learn the differences between each and their price tags. Then, choose the hide that suits your taste and budget. Here are some examples of cowhides. Read on to find out more about cowhides! And remember, the more you know, the better!
Rawhide
A part of the cow called rawhide can be used for many things. In the wild, canines chewed on the hide of their prey to keep their teeth clean and gums pliable. The chewing activity provided exercise for the animals, especially young ones, and provided sport. Today, beef hide is a premium product, derived from corn-fed cows in the U.S.
Full grain leather
Full-grain leather is a type of leather that has not undergone any mechanical or chemical processes before being finished. This type of leather has natural markings, including hair follicles. Full-grain leather retains these characteristics even after it has been dyed and tanned. It is an authentic representation of the original cowhide, which is why it is so expensive. In contrast, only about 10 to 15 percent of cowhides are finished as full grain.
Rough surface area
Cowhides are large. A typical cowhide is about 6 feet long by four feet wide in the middle. Since every hide is unique, there are no uniform measurements. Some cowhides are thinner than others. Besides, cowhides do not come in rolls. Therefore, it is difficult to say how many cowboy boots can be made from a single hide. Here are some facts about cowhides. They are a great source of high-quality leather.
Cost
The market for cow hides has hit a new low this year, but the good news is that the prices have rebounded. While the price of beef hides has dropped substantially over the past seven years, the market for cow hides has seen a recovery. This year, some hides are three to four times higher than their low points last year. Prices have begun to adjust from their recent slump, though the market for cattle hides in China is going quiet.
Origin
The origin of cowhide can be traced all the way back to prehistoric times. The Zulu tribe, located in Southern Africa, used cowhide for a variety of uses, including shields and traditional isidwaba skirts. The Zulu also used cowhide to make their Nguni shields and headdresses. This kind of hide is still popular today, but these days its use is limited to ceremonial uses.
