[expand]The flaying extracted hide from carcass. The butchering began with careful incisions—cutting along belly line, around legs, and at neck, the precise cuts preventing hide damage while allowing efficient removal. The hide was peeled away from flesh—the knife work separating connective tissue, the careful technique minimizing holes or tears, and the skill differentiating competent from amateur butchers. The flaying speed mattered—the rapid processing prevented hide from beginning decomposition while still attached to warm carcass, the delayed flaying creating problems for subsequent processing—making prompt attention essential after killing. The complete removal produced rectangular or vaguely animal-shaped hide depending on cutting pattern, the layout determining final garment possibilities.
The fleshing removed adhering tissue. The hide’s inner surface contained remaining fat and meat—the organic material accelerating decomposition if left attached, the remnants interfering with tanning process—requiring thorough scraping. The fleshing was done over log or beam—the hide stretched over rounded surface, the dull blade scraped across removing tissue—creating mechanical pressure forcing unwanted material away. The fleshing required attention—the excessive force cutting through hide creating holes, the insufficient pressure leaving tissue causing processing failure—making skilled execution necessary. The removed material was occasionally collected—the fat being rendered for other uses, the scrapings sometimes fed to dogs—preventing complete waste.
The dehairing prepared smooth leather. The hair removal for smooth leather used chemical treatment—the alkaline solution from wood ash and water loosening hair follicles, the soaking period lasting days, and the subsequent scraping removing loosened hair—creating smooth surface. The hair retention for fur clothing skipped this step—the hide being tanned with hair intact, the insulating properties being preserved, and the processing being somewhat simplified—making fur-on processing preferred for winter clothing. The dehairing technique varied by intended use—the complete hair removal for fine leather, the partial removal creating suede-like texture, or the retention producing fur leather.
The softening prevented stiffness. The untreated dried hide became rigid—the natural desiccation creating board-like material unsuitable for clothing, the stiff leather being uncomfortable and restrictive—requiring mechanical softening. The working involved repeated flexing—the manual manipulation breaking internal fiber bonds, the stretching and bending creating supple material, and the intensive labor being necessary for quality results. The softening was continuous process during drying—the hide being worked repeatedly as moisture evaporated, the attention preventing irreversible stiffening—making multi-day commitment during processing.
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