Grading Process at SCOT
General Definitions:
The Skin
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- The crown is the area with quill markings on the skin, excluding the neck area down
to the wing folds as well as the flank areas.
- For grading purposes the crown area is divided into four quarters as displayed on
the ostrich skin diagram.
- The lines dividing the crown area into the four quarters will be 25 mm wide.
The vertical line “A-B” on the diagram will stretch from the base of the neck between
the wing folds, down to the bottom of the crown. The horizontal line “C-D”
on the diagram will stretch between the widest quill markings on either side of
the crown area.
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Defects
Defects occur in various sizes and for the purpose of this grading standard three
sizes (circular) will be used, namely 40, 80 and 120 mm in diameter. The size of
a defect is determined by whether it fits into any of the three sizes.
Herewith defects definition:
A defect can be:
- Holes or cuts through the skin.
- Scars and wounds (open or healed). A scar is any defect that disturbs the natural
grain pattern.
- Scratches (open or healed). Scratches are the same as a scar and caused by sharp-
edged objects like thorns
- Loose scabs. A wound that is only partially healed and which causes a distinctive
disturbance of the natural grain layer.
- Rough surface (sunburn, chaffing, feather pecking, etc.). A rough surface can be
described as an open grain damage normally associated with scuffing and is not the
same as sueding caused by bacterial decay
- Loose grain (separation of grain layer from skin).
- Bacterial damage (open grain, sueded grain).
- Disease (rash, grown-in feathers, pit marks, marks from inoculation, etc.).
- Tick bites are well-defined small holes ± 1 mm in diameter, with swollen edges and
usually occur behind a quill.
- Wrinkles on the crown area will be regarded as a defect if very obvious.
- In general, all defects or blemishes, regardless of size or whether open or healed,
will be taken into account for grading purposes.
- A healed wound that blends in with the surrounding natural grain pattern and is
not larger than the distance between two quills, will be disregarded for grading
purposes (it will not be prominent and is normally not the result of a large, deep
wound).
- Defects on the associated cutting lines of the affected quarters of the crown will
not affect grading.
- Pinholes (not hair follicles) are caused by bacterial decay, and an extensive occurrence
in at least two (or more) quarters will result in a down-grade of at least one grade.
Torn
A torn skin is a skin where the tear extends into the crown. This skin will be down-graded
by one grade.
Opening Lines
The length of the upper flank “E” on the diagram and the length of the lower flank
“F” on the diagram must be equal. If the difference is very obvious and affects
the cutting value, it will be reason for a down-grading by one grade. This will
apply to wrong opening lines in general.
Genetically Caused Defects
- Grain definition that does not resemble what is normally associated with farmed
ostriches will be regarded as a defect and taken into account for grading purposes(normally
sun dried skins and breeding birds).
- A hair follicle is caused by the occurrence of hair roots and is natural. Hair follicles
are genetically caused defects and an extensive occurrence of it in at least two
(or more) quarters of the quill area,it will be reason for a down-grading by one
grade.
- Vein marks are natural, but if they are very obvious and cover a substantial area
of the skin it will be reason for a down-grading by one grade.
Quill Development
The acceptable norm for a normal quill is a full-bodied round quill from which a
ripe feather was harvested. Green feather quills tend to be opened/flat/prolonged.
A sunken quill is the opposite of a green feather and is a quill with no body and
a distinctive hole in the centre. Extensive occurrence of under- developed quills
in more than two quarters will be reason for a down-grade by one grade.
Skin Sizes
Area of skins for different size groups is as follows:
- AA Size =156+ square decimeters
- A size = 120 to 155 square decimeters
- B size = 100 to 119 square decimeters
- C size = 80 to 99 square decimeters
- D size = 50 to 79 square decimeters
Trimming
The neck will be trimmed through the fairly distinctive line where the quill area
ends and the more non-distinctive smooth area on the neck starts. The leg will be
trimmed through the last distinctive line above the middle of the knee.
Tannage
Tannage and colour variations cannot be considered as elements to change the grading
of leather, but it is the prerogative of both buyer and seller to discuss a price
adjustment.
Grading Norm:
Grade One
- At least three continuous quarters must be free from any defects.
- One defect, (excluding a hole), in any of the quarters, if it is not larger than
40 mm in diameter.
- One healed wound not larger than the distance between two quills is allowed on the
crown.
- A small number of visible defects outside the crown area will be allowed.
Grade Two
- At least two continuous quarters must be free from any defects.
- One defect in any two adjacent quarters, if it is not larger than 80 mm in diameter.
- Two defects in any two adjacent quarters, if both are not larger than 40 mm in diameter.
- Two healed wounds not larger than the distance between three quills are allowed
on the crown area.
- A few visible defects outside the crown area will be allowed.
Grade Three
- At least one quarter must be free from defects.
- One defect in any one of three quarters, if it is not larger than 120 mm in diameter.This
defect may also affect all three quarters.
- Two defects in any of three quarters if one is not larger than 80 mm in diameter
and one is not larger than 40 mm in diameter.
- Three defects in any of three quarters, if all of them are not larger than 40 mm
in diameter individually.
- Three healed wounds not larger than the distance between four quills are allowed
on the crown area.
- A number of visible defects outside the crown area will be allowed.
Grade Four
- A skin of which the grading falls outside the norm for a third grade skin, but where
the affected crown area is not larger than 50% of the total crown area.
- The affected skin area should not be larger than 20% of the total skin area.
Grade Five
- A skin of which the affected crown area is smaller than 50% of the total crown area.
- The affected skin area should not be larger than 50% of the total skin area.
Lesser Grade
Any skin of which the defects are worse than what is defined in Grade 5.
