- Joined
- Mar 28, 2001
- Messages
- 4,737
Since the demise of the shark skin, which was far and away my most popular exotic upgrade, I have been on a perpetual search for new and unique hides to offer. Some of the formerly most popular choices, like elephant have seen 300% or more price increases, so I also try to find hides I don't have to feel guilty about charging for.
I am going to start posting when I get new hides so this will serve as a reference for people looking for upgrades.
While not all of the hides listed are exotic necessarily, I often refer to them as exotic because they are not my standard English Bridle (cow), it also makes the nomenclature simpler, but I will always disclose the species of animal. As a rule I do not use embossed leathers, so you will never see a cow hide roll stamped to look like an alligator.
With my sheaths, exotic hides are on the front side unless otherwise requested, and the hide is laminated to a piece of English Bridle as part of the build process. What this means is that the entire sheath is built to the same standards as all of my sheaths, with a piece of exotic leather on the front.
Some exotics are strictly for appearance but they all add structural strength, just due to adding another laminated layer of hide. Many of them are also more durable than cow hide and will not show dents or scuffs as much as cow hide. Very few to none have the rigidity, thickness or integrity to safely carry a knife on their own, they are generally made for the clothing, accessory or upholstery industry and need something rigid to support them in our application.
All of these hides are being shown in their "as tanned" appearance. Many will darken a bit once they go through my process, but I do have steps I can take to minimize that on certain hides based on the nature of their tannery finish. If you are concerned about the look of the hide once finished please ask ahead of time, I will also try to describe what the hide looks like after finishing if I know. Some will be new hides I have not used yet.
Thanks for looking!
I am going to start posting when I get new hides so this will serve as a reference for people looking for upgrades.
While not all of the hides listed are exotic necessarily, I often refer to them as exotic because they are not my standard English Bridle (cow), it also makes the nomenclature simpler, but I will always disclose the species of animal. As a rule I do not use embossed leathers, so you will never see a cow hide roll stamped to look like an alligator.
With my sheaths, exotic hides are on the front side unless otherwise requested, and the hide is laminated to a piece of English Bridle as part of the build process. What this means is that the entire sheath is built to the same standards as all of my sheaths, with a piece of exotic leather on the front.
Some exotics are strictly for appearance but they all add structural strength, just due to adding another laminated layer of hide. Many of them are also more durable than cow hide and will not show dents or scuffs as much as cow hide. Very few to none have the rigidity, thickness or integrity to safely carry a knife on their own, they are generally made for the clothing, accessory or upholstery industry and need something rigid to support them in our application.
All of these hides are being shown in their "as tanned" appearance. Many will darken a bit once they go through my process, but I do have steps I can take to minimize that on certain hides based on the nature of their tannery finish. If you are concerned about the look of the hide once finished please ask ahead of time, I will also try to describe what the hide looks like after finishing if I know. Some will be new hides I have not used yet.
Thanks for looking!
