That part of the hide which corresponds to the neck of the animal, used for the less important parts of the upper: quarters, borders, outside counters, tongues , etc.
The hides that you buy from a leather shop or tannery are bought by the side, this is a full hide cut down the back bone from tail to the neck and should be at least 5 foot (1.5m) long and 1/8(3mm) to 1/4"(6mm) thick at the back bone. The hide you will need should be vegetable tanned and from Cowhide, Red hide (tanned cowhide thats been heavily oiled during processing and is red in colour) or Horsehide. What you will need to look for is a hide with 1) Even thickness, (2) Smooth grain with no tick marks (insect bites) (3) Flexible feel but not too soft (4) Avoid skins that stretch and with excessive puckering around edges (5) On the underside look for even thickness and avoid skins with any underside knife marks or furriness.