Chief31794 Report post Posted November 17, 2015 Finally got time to start working the gator hides I got this summer. Here's the first item out. Chief Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rohn Report post Posted November 18, 2015 That looks nice Chief. Is the Gator hide dyed or is that the color it is? I never have worked or seen real gator hide. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chief31794 Report post Posted November 18, 2015 Rohn, I'm not sure how they do it, I got three hides, 2 this color and one that is a "Peanut Butter" kind of color so they dye it and finish it, but all that was done before I got the hides. Chief Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Thor Report post Posted November 18, 2015 I really like your braiding jobs chief. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chief31794 Report post Posted November 18, 2015 I really like your braiding jobs chief. Thanks Thor, Chief Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MonicaJacobson Report post Posted November 20, 2015 Nice braiding. I got some alligator scraps, and I have NO IDEA how to use them. They are so ridgey. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chief31794 Report post Posted November 20, 2015 It is different, I wouldn't try to just sew the edges and burnish or finish paint them, it's just too inconsistent due to the scales. I've looked at Aligator wallets on the internet and most of the ones that are sewn look terrible (to me) on the edges. That sort of fits me anyway because I like to lace particularly with the Mexican Basket Weave stitch. It covers the edges really well, the other thing you can do though is use it for inlays, that way the edges are covered as well. The ones I got are really nice, work really good and I love the color of these two brown ones like the one I used on this wallet. Chief Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
terrymac Report post Posted November 20, 2015 If you feather the edge of the gator as thin as possible, it will burnish and edge just fine. Look at some of Bobby Park's (Hidepounder) work and you can see what I am talking about. The edges on the items I have made look great. Terry Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ikeedeluxe Report post Posted November 25, 2015 the interior looks like pigskin, did you line or use something to stiffen the main panel to lace it like that? I feel like the pig on its own would be too flimsy to take the lace nicely. I could be mistaken, never tried it.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chief31794 Report post Posted November 25, 2015 The wallet is lined with Faille Cloth, lacing actually adds stiffness to the edge, much stiffer than if you sewed the edge. This interior design (I designed it and make it in the shop) is designed to provide a "Slim", Light wallet which is what many people prefer, I have a different interior with 6 pockets and a hidden bill area that is "thicker". Chief Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites