Expert: Mark H. Miller - 4/2/2008

Question
Are small, round bumps on leather a "natural" defect of the leather and what is the cause and do they affect the life of the leather?  They are about a half inch in diameter and there are over 50 of them in a 3' x 3' square area of a stool.

Answer
Hi,  the answer to your question is both yes and no, let me explain.

Leather is a natural product and will have blemishes, as the animal cuts and bruises it will leave scars and those will show as part of the leather, if those were objectionable one may as well have naugahyde.  So some scarring and blemishes are natural, some people even like them to show that it is leather and not a synthetic material, blemishes should not affect the life of your leather.

However, when you say there are about 50 blemishes in a 3 X 3 are of a stool that is an unexceptable amount of blemishes for a small area, even more so if those blemishes are only in one area and nowhere else on a matching chair for example, or other stool if there is a set, then that part of a hyde should not have been used and you have a legitimate complaint to demand replacement.  Also, a good cutter has to use judgment as to where to place a blemish, they should never be on an area of heavy use such as seats, backs and arm fronts, but rather on an outside arm or outside back where there is no wear and the blemish will not affect the life of the leather.

I hope this answers your question, please do not hesitate to contact me if I can be of further assistance.

Mark Miller.