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Exotics, Reptiles, Furs and others

It takes special expertise to use exotic leathers and furs. Find out more about these "rare" critters here.

245 topics in this forum

  1. SUP

    Pirarucu or Arapaima or Amazon bass

    by SUP

    I have some beautiful pirarucu pieces and am not sure how to use it. The scales are removed and the scale bases remain, in quadrilateral shapes. These shapes have a ridge around them. The ridges are not firm. They are almost filamentous. You can reach under them, to where the scalers were inserted - tiny pockets, as it were. The ridges can tear off easily if I make anything with the leather as it is now. I have seen pirarucu boots and the scale bases and ridges seem pretty firmly in place. If they were not, they would not last long. How do they reach that stage? I have tried Resolene but that gives too much of a shine and does not stick anything in place. Glue mayb…

    SUP
    Last reply by SUP,
  3. Deaflemon

    Snakeskin identification help

    by Deaflemon
    • 2 replies
    • 559 views

    I am restoring these 3 pairs of boots I found in a barn. I’d like to list them to sell soon and would like to find out what varieties of snake skin i have . The first pair may be boa? The second pair’s scales seem really similar in size and texture (soft kind of feathery feel on the curled ends) but obviously are very different in color. The third pair with the filigree, the scales are much larger, harder, and have lateral ridges similar to fingernails.

    chuck123wapati
    Last reply by chuck123wapati,
  4. rmdorman

    Inherited a gator hide

    by rmdorman

    My uncle is passing this gator hide down to me to see if I can make use of it. My experience is as a hobby bootmaker. Its a 72cm wild gator from south Louisiana, killed and tanned there in the 80’s, glazed and I want to say chocolate or more bourbon. stored in an AC closed but not conditioned. The tail has some cracks but the belly is intact and flexible but feels real dry a d thin to the touch. I am guessing I have one chance to try to re-oil it and back it and see if it’ll survive boot making or not. Trying to figure out the best approach to that. He and I agreed it may not work but we’re willing to try using it. Wanted to see if anyone had a best practice for preparing…

    rmdorman
    Last reply by rmdorman,
  5. Deaflemon

    Found in a bag in a barn. Can they be saved?

    by Deaflemon
    • 1 reply
    • 345 views

    Found these boots in an open bag in a barn. There was also a live snake in the bag, so no mouse nests! The boots are all pretty rough. They are not completely dried out and brittle, but they were getting there. The worst thing is the mildew. Is there any saving them? I want to know the best way to clean them thoroughly, inside and out, then the best products to condition protect and spruce them up. I also have access to an ozone chamber which i can use to kill any residual mildew post cleaning, unless anyone here tells me it will harm them. Thank you!

    Northmount
    Last reply by Northmount,
  6. Deaflemon

    Caiman, croc or gator tail?

    by Deaflemon

    Have these boots which appear to be custom; so no identification marks, brand labels or sizing stamps. I would like to sell them, but would like to describe them correctly. Is there an easy way to differentiate between caiman, crocodile and alligator skin? I am assuming this is the tail section on the vamp. Thanks so much for your help!

    AlZilla
    Last reply by AlZilla,
  7. KrisQ

    Shark - oily?

    by KrisQ

    Hi all- I got some shark skin in black from Springfield Leather recently for a few projects. No issues actually working with it- but it seems to be very oily. I left a piece sitting on top of some natural veg tan calf overnight and it left black oil marks all over it. If my eyes aren't deceiving me, sometimes I think I can see oil seeping out when I'm stabbing with an awl. Has anyone else experienced this? Is this oil tanned, or is it the natural oils in the shark? Does it eventually stop after it dries in open air some, or can it be sealed with any of the standard leather finishes without ill effect on the overall look? Attached pic has a test piece of the shar…

    BurntLeatherCo
    Last reply by BurntLeatherCo,
  8. Sprocket

    Moose leather questions

    by Sprocket
    • 0 replies
    • 390 views

    Hi All - I have a commission for a knife sheath to be made with moose leather. I've searched and found vendors in Canada & US, some have it in stock, others not. There seems to be a lot of splits too and I"m not ruling them out. What is the temper for moose - is it more supple like deer hides vs something closer to veg tanned? I'm hoping to wet form a fold over style sheath vs top and bottom panels. Can a suede piece be split/skieved down to make a liner or would leather be a better choice? I was thinking of lining if I can't wet mold. This gets the aesthetic and incorporates the moose into the project. Andy suggestions for vendors would be appreci…

    Sprocket
    Last reply by Sprocket,
  9. wayner123

    weird/rare hides 1 2

    by wayner123
    • 13 replies
    • 6.9k views

    I am looking to do something really interesting. I would be very interested in what weird/rare hides you all have seen or heard of. I think it would be great, as I am kind of stuck on ideas for what could else be leather? Besides the standard exotics (ostrich, shark, snake, lizard, etc.) I have researched and found the following hides: Beaver Tail Elephant Seal Kangaroo Frog If any of you have seen or heard of any more please let me know. I do not approve of poaching in any way. I do however wonder if they make leather from deceased Zoo lions or tigers? This is just speculation. Again NO poaching!! Anyways, let me know guys and gals. Hopefully my upcoming project w…

    Beehive
    Last reply by Beehive,
  10. hunte567

    Snake Tan

    by hunte567
    • 5 replies
    • 3.4k views

    Im looking for ingredients for snake tanning for leather work. Im told the 50/50 alcohol-glycerin will keep the skin from being glued. I dont want to use an any kits or solutions from a taxidermy companies. I want to do this old school. Let me know you boys that have been doing this for awhile use. Thanks

    Leathershark
    Last reply by Leathershark,
  11. DaleksInc

    What to do with wabbit?

    by DaleksInc

    I just picked up a couple of rabbit pelts for cheap (my local Scout camp's trading post had them for whatever reason, and was doing a blow-out sale.) How do you suggest I use them (and/or how do people typically use them)? I generally do figure carving, so I've never used furs before. For reference, I've attached a picture of the pelts.

    DaleksInc
    Last reply by DaleksInc,
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