Measuring Equipment · Instrument 02

Softness
Tester ST300

Name: Softness Tester ST300
Brand: MSA Engineering Systems
Availability: InStock

Put a number on softness. The ST300 determines the softness of leather to ISO 17235 — without defacing the hide and without cutting a single sample. Analogue and digital versions, supplied worldwide by Kymera Group.

Designed with BLC Leather Technology Centre

ISO 17235

Non-Destructive

Analogue & Digital

USB Data Export

Request a Quote How It Works →

Leather Testing — Supplied by Kymera Group

ST300

ISO 17235·Non-Destructive Test·No Samples Cut·Analogue & Digital·USB Data Download·Wireless Kit·Supplier–Customer Quality System· ISO 17235·Non-Destructive Test·No Samples Cut·Analogue & Digital·USB Data Download·Wireless Kit·Supplier–Customer Quality System·

ISO 17235 Method

Softness measured to the recognised international standard — a directly comparable, defensible value for automotive, footwear, upholstery and garment specifications.

No Sample Cut

The hide or skin is never defaced and no test pieces are removed, so graded and finished leather stays fully saleable and QC can sample at higher frequency.

Shared Quality System

Gives supplier and customer one agreed, numeric softness target — settling specifications and disputes with data instead of subjective hand-feel.

Softness Tester ST300 leather softness gauge, front view

Instrument 02 — Softness

The ST300
Leather Softness Tester

The ST300 leather softness tester is a means of determining the softness of leather without defacing the hide or skin, and without cutting samples prior to testing. This enables a quality system to be set up between supplier and customer wherever leather softness is a priority. Available in analogue and digital versions, the ST300 was designed by MSA in conjunction with the BLC Leather Technology Centre.

The digital ST300 adds a USB interface for connection to a computer — with data download available via dedicated software and USB cable, or a wireless kit (module, receiver and software).

Determines leather softness to ISO 17235
Non-destructive — the hide or skin is never defaced
No samples need to be cut from the leather before testing
Sets up an agreed quality system between supplier and customer
Analogue (dial) and digital (display) versions available
Digital version with USB interface for PC connection
Data download by software + USB cable, or wireless kit
Designed with the BLC Leather Technology Centre

At a Glance
Measures	Leather softness / distension
Test standard	ISO 17235
Reading	Distension in millimetres (mm)
Method	Non-destructive — no samples cut
Versions	Analogue (dial) · Digital (USB)
Digital interface	USB — data download to PC
Data options	Software + USB cable, or wireless kit
Designed with	BLC Leather Technology Centre
Application	QC laboratory & production floor

Request ST300 Quote

Up Close

The ST300
in Detail

How It Works

From Hand-Feel
to Hard Number

◎

Clamp Over the Aperture

The leather is clamped over a defined ring aperture — no sample cutting, no marking. The finished or graded piece stays intact and saleable.

◈

Apply a Fixed Load

A pin presses down under a standardised load, pushing the leather through the aperture. The softer the leather, the further it distends.

★

Read the Distension

The instrument reads the distension in millimetres to ISO 17235 — analogue on a dial, or digital with a clear display and USB export.

◉

Record & Compare

Log the value against the batch. Supplier and customer work to one agreed softness target, replacing subjective judgement with repeatable data.

Discuss Your Application

Two Versions

Analogue or Digital —
Which ST300 Do You Need?

Both versions run the identical ISO 17235 softness test. The choice comes down to how you want to read and record the result.

Feature	ST300 Analogue	ST300 Digital
Test standard	ISO 17235	ISO 17235
Reading	Dial gauge	Digital display
Non-destructive	✓	✓
No samples cut	✓	✓
USB interface	—	✓
PC data download	—	Software + USB cable
Wireless kit option	—	Module, receiver & software
Best for	Quick bench & floor checks	Logged, traceable QC records

Add-ons

Data &
Accessories

USB Data Cable & Software

Dedicated software and USB cable for downloading softness readings from the digital ST300 directly to your computer.

Wireless Kit

Wireless module, receiver and software for cable-free transfer of measurements into your QC records.

After-Sales Support

Comprehensive warranty on new equipment, fast service response, and worldwide distributor support through Kymera Group.

Why Kymera

Source the ST300
Through
Kymera Group

Kymera Group supplies the ST300 softness tester to tanneries and leather laboratories alongside a complete measuring-equipment range — thickness gauges, moisture meters, hide counters and viscosity cups. Our technical team advises on the right version for your articles and target markets, and backs every instrument with warranty and after-sales service.

Complete QC Bench

Pair the ST300 with thickness, moisture and viscosity instruments for a full leather quality-control bench from one supplier.

Warranty & Service

Comprehensive warranty on new equipment and a fast service response keep your QC running without downtime.

Supplied Worldwide

Specialist market support and shipping to tanneries worldwide, with expert guidance from our team in Italy.

Questions & Answers

Softness Testing,
Explained

What is the ST300 softness tester used for?+

The ST300 determines the softness of leather to ISO 17235. It lets suppliers and customers agree a measurable softness specification and verify it on every batch — without cutting or defacing the hide.

How does the ST300 measure leather softness?+

Leather is clamped over a defined ring aperture and a pin applies a fixed load. The instrument reads the resulting distension (deflection) in millimetres — a higher value means softer leather. The test is fast, repeatable and non-destructive.

Is the ST300 test destructive?+

No. The ST300 measures softness without defacing the hide or skin, and does not require samples to be cut prior to testing — so graded and finished pieces remain fully saleable.

What is the difference between the analogue and digital ST300?+

Both versions perform the same ISO 17235 test. The analogue ST300 shows the reading on a dial, while the digital ST300 has a digital display and a USB interface for data download — via dedicated software and USB cable, or a wireless kit (module, receiver and software).

To which standard does the ST300 conform?+

The ST300 measures leather softness in accordance with ISO 17235. It was designed by MSA Engineering Systems in conjunction with the BLC Leather Technology Centre and is supplied by Kymera Group.

SoftnessTester ST300