I know nothing about older leather. Why is it a problem that the new hides are coming from a year old cow? Kip skin, which is more costly, is sought after because it comes from younger animals.
Also, why can Horween only use the top 8% for baseball gloves? I understand this was the case at one time when the HOH leather was naked. I don’t think today’s HOH leather is truly aniline dyed anymore; I am surprised they are still so limited on their hide selection.