Yuft: what is it? The history of this type of skin

2024 Author: Howard Calhoun | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:16

Yuft - what is it? Many have heard this word, and many know that yuft is a kind of leather. But what are its properties and what does it represent? What is it made of and what things is it used to create?

History

The history of Russian yuft (that's what this type of leather is called) originates in Peter's times. Peter I, in addition to other state affairs, decided to conduct an audit in the leather industry and was very dissatisfied with the fact that, with a huge amount of leather material, domestic manufacturers themselves did not process it, but sold it to foreigners in its raw form, then bought ready-made ones from them at high prices. Russian leather goods. A decree was issued banning the export of raw leather abroad, and Russian tanners learned how to make yuft rather quickly. Soon they became the best in the world in its production.

The unique technology was:

• in many months of keeping cow, less often deer skins in vessels with oatmeal or rye flour and yeast;
• in soaking them in tannic juice using a variety of tree species, often these were willows, larches,poplars and oaks;
• hand-finished with whale or seal oil and smeared with birch tar.

Significant greasing (when at least 25% of the mass of yuft was the amount of fat) gave Russian skin extraordinary elasticity and softness, as well as unsurpassed moisture resistance. To this day, detailed instructions have not been preserved, which would describe all the stages of making yuft. But it is known that in total the whole process took from 18 months to 2 years.

Depending on the method of final processing and the quality of the source material, three types of yuft were distinguished: red, white and black. The best skin was selected for white, and the fatlining process was very intense. White yuft was mainly used for the needs of the Russian army. Belts, cartridge bags, boots and other military ammunition were sewn from it. Red yuft was made in almost the same way as white, but it was lubricated when dried with a solution of alum, stained with mahogany. Black yuft was dyed black with iron s alts after tanning. It was used for domestic consumption - shoes were sewn from it and carriages were made.

Present

What is yuft today? It is a soft, elastic material. It is very much in demand in the footwear industry. The skin of yuft is quite thick and dense, but not excessive, this allows it to remain soft.

This leather is shoe and sandal. They differ from each other in their qualities: if the first is worn only in dry conditions, since it is quite permeable to moisture, thenthe second is worn in both dry and wet conditions. The thing is that Russian shoe contains less fat, and therefore repels moisture worse.

Sandal Russian leather is made of breathable material. It is also quite thin, has a glossy appearance, as it is sanded.

Currently, black yuft is very popular. But white is still considered the highest quality - the best raw materials are also selected for it. Strongly, of course, the technology has not changed - the skin is also plentifully fattened. Work with the material is completed by grinding and staining.

There is also such a variety of leather as heat-resistant yuft. What it is? This is leather treated with a fatliquoring agent and aqueous dispersions of polymers with low water permeability and increased heat resistance.

Yufti properties

The main properties of yuft include:

• softness;
• strength and durability;
• plasticity;
• flex resistance;
• water resistant.

Shoes from yuft and other footwear

Once upon a time boots and boots made of yuft were actively used in the army. All kinds of products are still being made, which are combined from tarpaulin and yuft. The top of the product is made of tarpaulin, and the part in contact with the foot is made of natural yuft.

But ankle boots are not the only thing that is made from it, you can find a lot of civilian shoes. Often these are working models: for builders, geologists, installers, for surveyorsand so on. Heat-resistant yuft is used in the production of special footwear. Casual shoes are also common: ballerinas, boots, leather sneakers and more.

This article briefly described what it is - yuft, what properties it has, what types it can be.

It is also worth knowing that the quality of Russian leather must comply with the standards of GOST 485-82.