exotic leather wholesalers

[RyanCope]

While I have used multiple exotic leather wholesalers, I've yet to find a company that I am comfortable using exclusively. It seems they will usually say that they are the best and explain to me why the others are inferior. I don't know about the rest of you, but that immediately sends up the red flags. Is there a company out there that consistantly produces QUALITY hides of MULTIPLE species? Price, for me, is secondary. More specifically, I am looking for shark, stingray, and elephant. I'm not sure you can still get elephant legally, but I have seen it around. I even heard someone mention Hippo. I've yet to attend a leather show, and wondered if those of you that do have run into a company that stood above the rest.

Ryan Cope

[bruce johnson]

Ryan,

I have two that come to mind. I was just in Sheridan last week and Sheridan Leather Outfitters have quite a lot of exotics. They had some nice elephant, ostrich, pretty sure shark, and others. Since they sell to the saddle trade, they are pretty in tune with it. I also have bought stingray, ostrich, frogs, and something that escapes me now from Jerry Van Amburg in Santa Monica. I started with him at the shows, but also have phone ordered from him. I haven't dealt with John Fong in SF, but some guys do. Jerry has a website - www.vanamburgleathers.com. He has been easy for me to deal with. I have bought elephant from both Jerry and a boot supplier called GH Leather in Houston. One thing with elephant is to buy panels (body leather). Some guys sell ears. I found the ears to be variable in thickness and even some pinholes looking at the shows.

[RyanCope]

Thanks Bruce. I thought you might know. I really need to come and visit with you one of these days.

[Romey]

Try this

I have a good friend who does high end Japanese nihonto (swords) and the handles are traditionaly underlined with ray but he prefers kermit. At anyrate here is some links

http://www.sbearstradingpost.com/exotic-le...otic-skins.html

http://www.stingrayproducts.com/

[sheathmaker]

I'll add my endorsement to Jerry Van Amburg as well.

Paul