What to do with my hide? 

Time is critical when it comes to hides.

If you can not bring in your hide within 24-48 hours we recommend either refrigerating (for no more than 48 hours), freezing or salting the hide to prevent it from spoiling. Salted hides may be brought in as is, however if the hide is frozen it must be thawed before we are able to give it a grade and issue payment. 

 

What grade is my hide?

Size, thickness, visual appearance and integrity of the hide play a large role in the grading of the hide. See information below to see how your hide will grade.

 

Deer Hide Grade

Grand Rapids Hide USA natural deerskin leather gloves

#1 Deer Hide
8.0 square feet or larger with no drag marks, slipping hair, or more than 2 holes 1 inches in size. 

Out Deer Hide
Less than 8.0 square feet or a large hide with any of the following:

  • Excessive holes or knife marks

  • Slipping hair (hair falling out due to spoilage)

  • Drag marks (missing hair due to being dragged)

  • Caped deer (hide trimmed small for taxidermy mounts) 

Note: We will be taking deer hides at the door until mid January. After January all hides will be shipped out and we will not be taking more deer until the following fall season. 

 

Beef Hide Grade

Cow beef hide grades for Grand Rapids Hide Co

#1 Heavy Beef
Over 57 pounds
No holes over 2 inches
No more then three holes
Free from excessive knife scoring

Lite Beef
34-56 pounds
No holes over 2 inches
No more then three holes
Free from excessive knife scoring

Kip
14-33 pounds
No holes over 2 inches
No more then three holes
Free from excessive knife scoring

Calf
14 pounds or under
No holes over 2 inches
No more then three holes
Free from excessive knife scoring

#3 Beef
Hair slipping
Missing hair (Drag)
More then three holes or 2 inch hole in pattern (Back of hide) or excessive knife scoring

 

What makes a hide bad or unusable?

Hair slipping or hair missing due to spoilage, excessive holes and/or excessive scoring or knife markings.