Good source for Sharkskin or exotics

[BigRiverLeather]

Can anyone give me a good source for purchasing Sharkskin, Elephant or other exotics? I've found only a couple of places. One required a $1,500 minimum order and I'd like to find some other sources to compare pricing.

It's easy to find Stingray or snake skin, or even crocodile. The Sharkskin and Elephant is what eludes me the most and the most desireable for me right now.

I see others charge a $40 - $50 upcharge for Sharkskin. From what I've seen I would be lucky to break even at that.

Thanks,

Scott

[woolfe]

I've bought from these guys before.

http://ostrichmarket.com/id76.html

[rickeyfro]

Can anyone give me a good source for purchasing Sharkskin, Elephant or other exotics? I've found only a couple of places. One required a $1,500 minimum order and I'd like to find some other sources to compare pricing.

It's easy to find Stingray or snake skin, or even crocodile. The Sharkskin and Elephant is what eludes me the most and the most desireable for me right now.

I see others charge a $40 - $50 upcharge for Sharkskin. From what I've seen I would be lucky to break even at that.

Thanks,

Scott

check out www.ostrich market.com for the shark. I recently bought 2 skins, one black and one brown, both about 7.5 sq/ft each cost around $130. beautiful skins. For elephant Ive been dealing with Kevin at springfield leather.

[DCKNIVES]

I have to agree with Ostrich Market as well, though I do live close to them and make holsters and sheaths for them.Hank has a good supply on hand, just delivered some holsters last week and picked up some shark and gator.Dave

[BigRiverLeather]

Great info, thank you.

If I understand correctly, when working with Shark, say as trim on a reinforced mouth, or belt loops, one should put it on top of leather reinforcement or the loops rather than just using the sharkskin alone for the reinforcement, correct?

When layered on top of cow or horsehide, are there any special steps required for burninshing my edges other than the standard techniques?

[DCKNIVES]

I would definately put some veg-tan underneath, the shark is very strong but is also soft to the touch. I sand and burnish it the standard way.Dave

[BigRiverLeather]

I finally ordered some Sharkskin and Elephant from Henry at Ostrich Market. What great people to deal with. I'm all a-tingle now to get my new hides and dress up some leather. It actually was not as expensive as I thought it was going to be $97 for a 5 sq ft piece which should provide quite a bit of workable material. He had some elephant scraps cut out that he made me a deal on too. I feel a long term relationship has just begun.

Henry spoke highly of you Dave

[Bronson]

Are you guys buying exotics in various colors or are you dyeing them yourselves?

Bronson

Edited March 2, 2010 by Bronson

[DCKNIVES]

I usually buy mine already dyed in my most popular colors, which are black, dark brown, and tan.I only buy bright colors like red,or green on special orders and that is priced higher so I can recover the cost of having those colors on hand.Dave

[JoelR]

+1 for Ostrich Market. Henry was great to work with. Took the time to find out what I was producing, my level of expertise and hand picked a hide that he felt I would be happy with. Got the skin and he hit the mark on every level. Smooth shark in chestnut brown - what a gorgeous hide. I almost feel bad cutting it up!