Shark Tales: What Do You Get When...

[swivelsphinx]

Back during the winter holidays, I decided to treat myself to some new adventures in exotic leathers. I have wanted to experiment with shark for awhile. So, I checked with various resources, and I found some good sized pieces of sand shark (tiger) at what seemed to be an *amazing* price. $25.00 per piece sized about 24"x 8", tannage unknown. Well, these pieces arrived, and I was enchanted yet mystified. Each piece is a dull reddish brown (with a few light tan spots), and has the texture of 320 grit sandpaper. I suspect they might be veg tan, no finish.

I induced (yes, inductive, not deductive reasoning) from responses to another post (special thanks to Ambassador!) that shark can come in a variety of conditions once tanned. I wonder if I guessed correctly that what I have might be "veg tanned, no finish".

I'd love to see photos of finished products, before/after leather finishing application pics, and read some more suggestions on methods of prep.

Thanks!

swivelsphinx

[rickeyfro]

Back during the winter holidays, I decided to treat myself to some new adventures in exotic leathers. I have wanted to experiment with shark for awhile. So, I checked with various resources, and I found some good sized pieces of sand shark (tiger) at what seemed to be an *amazing* price. $25.00 per piece sized about 24"x 8", tannage unknown. Well, these pieces arrived, and I was enchanted yet mystified. Each piece is a dull reddish brown (with a few light tan spots), and has the texture of 320 grit sandpaper. I suspect they might be veg tan, no finish.

I induced (yes, inductive, not deductive reasoning) from responses to another post (special thanks to Ambassador!) that shark can come in a variety of conditions once tanned. I wonder if I guessed correctly that what I have might be "veg tanned, no finish".

I'd love to see photos of finished products, before/after leather finishing application pics, and read some more suggestions on methods of prep.

Thanks!

swivelsphinx

I just posted some pics in the Show Off section of a seat I just finished in black shark if you wanna check it out

[DCKNIVES]

As you have seen, shark can be tanned to various stages.I have seen it like you described (in the old days ,it was used as sandpaper or so I was told),I have seen it sanded smooth and dyed and a more supple pattern,but alot of this also depends on the species used which there are several hundred.For the most part it is fine as is but Lexol works well as a conditioner.Dave

Here is a Glock holster recently done in Shark

[swivelsphinx]

I just posted some pics in the Show Off section of a seat I just finished in black shark if you wanna check it out

How cool! Thanks!

[swivelsphinx]

As you have seen, shark can be tanned to various stages.I have seen it like you described (in the old days ,it was used as sandpaper or so I was told),I have seen it sanded smooth and dyed and a more supple pattern,but alot of this also depends on the species used which there are several hundred.For the most part it is fine as is but Lexol works well as a conditioner.Dave

The sand shark I have *is* very sandpapery at the moment! The holster you made is handsome indeed...