Harris HTM
One Too Many
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- In the Depths of R'lyeh
Wish I could but nope, I seriously can't. I thought I could years ago, back when I would read all that stuff about how you can easily tell them apart because horsehide is stiffer, shinier, etc. while cowhide is... Thicker? Softer? I can't even remember anymore. And then the whole Storse scandal shattered my whole world to pieces.
Anyone actually working with leather will tell you that the only way to know for sure is to do a DNA analysis. This one guy in the business that used to post here, even made experiments to prove you can't distinguish between the two.
It all comes down to tanning. Most tanneries will process the hides differently, to make a separate product with unique properties out of each - which is the only reason why the internet believes it is possible to distinguish horsehide from cowhide - but in reality, both hides could easily be skimmed and tanned to appear identical.
So right now, I don't even bother to check the tag anymore.
Well said. The Storse scandal was a blow to many "experts".