The study of leather from the flesh side, also known as the fleshing or grain examination, is an important aspect of leather analysis. The flesh side of the leather is the inner side of the skin, which is usually less smooth and has more texture than the grain side.
During the process of leather production, the flesh side of the skin is usually removed to obtain a smooth and uniform surface on the grain side. However, the flesh side can still provide valuable information about the quality and characteristics of the leather.
Leather scientists and technicians can examine the flesh side of the leather using various techniques, such as visual inspection, microscopy, and chemical analysis. By analyzing the flesh side of the leather, they can identify the type of animal skin used to make the leather, the tanning method used, the presence of defects or damage, and other features that can affect the quality and durability of the leather.
For example, the presence of scars, insect bites, or other skin defects on the flesh side of the leather can indicate poor quality or poor handling of the raw material. On the other hand, a uniform and smooth texture on the flesh side can indicate that the leather was made from a high-quality skin and processed using advanced tanning techniques.
Overall, studying the flesh side of leather can provide valuable insights into the quality, characteristics, and history of the leather, and help ensure that it meets the necessary standards for various applications, such as fashion, upholstery, or automotive.
