QUESTION 1
(a) Explain the following:
(i) slunk leather;
(ii) cowhide leather;
(iii) pelt.
(b) Highlight any three factors that should be considered in selecting leathers for the production of an article.
The candidates were expected to provide the following answers to score higher marks.
(a) (i) Slunk leather:
Leather produced from skins of premature (stillborn) animals particularly calf, It is flexible, light in weight and best used for high quality shoe uppers and gloves.
(ii) Cowhide leather:
Leather produced from the hide of any female animal from bovine group e.g. cow, bull, oxen etc.
(iii) Pelt:
A freshly flayed, raw and unprocessed hide or skin of an animal. OR This is a raw animal skin obtained from a limed and unhaired animal skin or hide.
- (i) Quality:
Quality of leather determines the value of the leather product. The higher the quality of leather, the costlier the leather product and vice versa.
(ii) Type of tannage:
Leather articles are mainly produced from two types of leather, chrome and vegetable tanned. The article to be produced determines the type of leather to be used.
(iii) Colour:
Colour determines the attractiveness of the article.
(iv) Thickness:
The type of article being produced will determine the thickness of leather that is required.
(v) Area/Size:
Certain articles require wider area or size of leather while some require a smaller area of leather.
(vi) Defects:
Absence or presence of defects in leather determines the cutting value e.g. cuts, scars, insect bites etc.
(vii) Texture:
The surface quality of the leather used in producing articles could be soft, smooth or rough.