Alligator Hide

No, not my knife nor have I handled one. I've only seen pictures of them. Arno Bernard has an entire line of knives using crocodile scales though so I would imagine they have to withstand some abuse or he wouldn't continue to make them. Not sure how they are attached, I would think glue or epoxy but you would think that would come loose with time. I don't really want to throw down the $200-400 for one of those knives to see how he does it! I only threw that picture up there because I thought it was pretty unique and this thread was an appropriate place for it.

Maybe someone on this forum has handled one?
 
Just found this on their website:

"Natural handle materials are not warranted by Arno Bernard Knives. (Preventive measures can be used to preserve natural handle materials – yet natural aging and change sometimes can not be avoided.) We will not ship our products to third parties for engraving, scrimshaw, custom sheaths or other alterations."

https://arnobernard.com/knife-handles/
 
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Strigamort said:
That's exactly the type that I'm looking for. Is that the backstrap? What kinda croc is that? I'm looking at American alligator and Nile croc. Maybe caiman if I can find the right cut.
Click to expand...

This was from the backstrap of the first gator my uncle shot several years ago. It's was smaller ( maybe 5 feet?) so the knobs aren't too bulky. It was an American Alligator. :)
 
Bighaze51 said:
This was from the backstrap of the first gator my uncle shot several years ago. It's was smaller ( maybe 5 feet?) so the knobs aren't too bulky. It was an American Alligator. :)
Click to expand...

Thanks Bighaze. I'll keep my eyes open for a backstrap at a good price. :)

Hmm... I'm trying to think how I would attach the gator scales if it were me making the knife. Testing would certainly be in order, but I'd try hidden pins and lots of tang holes. Maybe West Systems epoxy. G-flex maybe since it's flexible. Cut slots in the pins too to grasp the epoxy well and wet sand the tang (using the epoxy), it may hold really well. I'd guess that if there were a failure it would be against the steel and not the hide. In my limited testing with leather and contact cement the fibers of the leather tore apart before the bond.
 
Thanks Strig buddy. I used a piece of giraffe bone very similar in color for a special project one time. Looked just like that one.
 
I have seen some impressive sheath using gator tails.
Do any of you know if it is legal to import a sheath made of gator hide/tail into Canada?
I really want one made for my next Busse.
 
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