Alligator Tail (Backstrap?)

[Spartan]

I'm a complete newb with alligator skins.... I'm not looking for whole hides just the tail. What do you call them and is there anywhere I can just order the tails? I want to use it on a solo seat, thought it would be kool to edge the back of the seat with the (horns?).

[mikesmith648]

SLC has them........just call them

[Spartan]

Thank you Mike, I just called them and unfortunatly they don't have what I'm looking for in stock

[Tiara]

check ebay and consider using caiman as it is much cheaper. the scutes on part of it are hard and can make sewing difficult but depending on where you need to cut and stitch can make a more affordable alternative. the tail is not the same as the horn back strip. Is this what you mean? http://www.ebay.com/...65a2694<br />or something like the tail portion of this one? http://www.ebay.com/...006da2a<br />if you contact the store of the second one, "Uncle George" will work with you outside ebay. He often has hornback strips, the caiman will be smaller than the croc shown above but only about 20 bucks from George I was looking for unfinished skins to dye myself and he checked the tannery for some meeting my needs and charged less with delivery than the ebay price for similar skins. He did have some tail pieces offered a while back but they were cut like the second link where hornback tails would looke like this. http://www.ebay.com/...=item4d0b7ea7c6

a lot of skins listed as gator or croc are caiman that is mislabeled. I bought some horn head pieces a while back that were mislabed but I knew it when I bought them. The pattern is different from croc or gator. If you like the way the skins looks the only other factor is that the scutes will be hard where gator or croc is flexible. Just don't pay more for a less expensive skin. http://www.alligatorfur.com/alligator/croc.htm

Edited April 11, 2013 by Tiara

[Spartan]

Thanks Tiara! I am checking the links out now.

[Tiara]

Spartan, I hope you can find what you are looking for. I do love those reptile skins. Roje usually carries some croc hornback but it is pricier although more consistent in shape and more flexible.

[Spartan]

I did! Thank you so much for your help, I went for the caimen