Abstract

BLC has developed a method for the non-destructive measurement of leather softness; the portable device works on a similar principle to the lastometer, clamping and applying a load to the leather with the resultant distension giving an indication of leather softness. The load applied is typically in the order of 500 g thereby not causing any damage to the leathers. In trials the gauge has been shown to give a good correlation between measurements and softness as graded by hand and has proved to be as reliable as any destructive method presently used for measuring leather softness.