The traditional processing
Cowhide
Cowhide is obtained from calfskins. To obtain this particular quality of skin beside the before mentioned process still followed today, a further finishing touch is needed.
This begins with the process of fleshing which goes on till the right thickness is obtained; then the skins are spread and softened using an ancient hand-tool called "palmella" and finally the skins are greased and polished using glass and stone hand-tools.
Leather is only obtained from the dorsal side of calf skins. There is not much difference between the two processes.
They both need more or less the same time for the tan.
The leather process needs the addiction of chestnut-tree tannin,an astringent material which in used to get a stiff finished product.
Leather also needs less grease than cowhide.
