Questions about alligator hide

PitchAndMoment

PitchAndMoment

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Feb 22, 2013
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I'm in the process of convincing myself to go on an alligator hunt, and I'm trying to figure out what I would do with the hide.

Can anybody here work up a sheath (or sheaths) for me from a hide I provide? If a sheath is possible, what about a rifle sling? or a wallet?

IF any of these are possible, what would need to happen with the hide before it gets to the sheath maker? Do I need to have it tanned? Or I do I preserve it in some other way so the sheath maker can tan it?

Basically, is any of this possible, and if so, how does it work?


Thanks in advance for any input!
 
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Contact a few local taxidermists. Most will be able to either tan your hide or tell you where to take it to.

Remember that animal hides will spoil rapidly, in some cases in hours, do your homework Before you take the animal. I lost a huge python hide by not asking around.

Proper prep is important as well. Ask them how they want it, sometimes simply skinned is not good enough.
 
Thanks, Leatherman.

So, now that I know that I need to have it tanned right away, the next question is this: For you, the craftsman, will the gator hide work just like cowhide, or is it totally different? Would I need to make sure you're getting certain "good parts" of the hide, like those with a minimum thickness?

I've looked through the photos many of you put up in here and I've seen few sheaths that are adorned with gator, but still seem to be mostly cow. Is there a reason for that, aside from price and availability?
 
I use the whole hide, belly, back, and legs. Some parts may need some "processing" ie thinning. I used my belt sander to thin out some of the more gnarly pieces I've had.

I dont use it just like cow hide, I use it to embellish the cow hide that is the framework of the sheath. Some might, but I do not.

Yes, gator is more expensive than cowhide by a good margin.
 
Hi its not quite alligators but I've used crocs before and the ones I bought before had a nice dye through so I think they dye pretty well if done properly. I've found that if you coat the surface with some 'super shene' (mine's from tandy leather) it takes on a nice gloss. While cutting through the croc I did find that it was similar to cow in that it is fibrous (as opposed to bone like e.g. ray skin). So when I did it I didn't really need anything special tools I just used what I usually use for cow and it seemed to work fine. I hope this helps and good luck with the alligator!! :)
 
I happen to love the scutes (bony "spikes" on the backstrap, but they appear to be hard to work with in terms of layout. If you go that route I'd send the entire backstrap to the craftsman so he has options for layout.

What about brain tanning? The saying goes that every animal has enough brain tissue to process their whole hide.

Anyone know about brain tanning? My questions would be-

How much work is it to do?

How does it compare to veg tanned in terms of steel compatibility?

How long do you have between harvesting the animal and starting the tanning process. Meaning, is it something that needs done in the field, or can you take it home to do the work?

Some guys from work go rattlesnake hunting on occasion. I wonder how hard it would be to process the hides at home.
 
Omega Leather Works said:
I happen to love the scutes (bony "spikes" on the backstrap, but they appear to be hard to work with in terms of layout. If you go that route I'd send the entire backstrap to the craftsman so he has options for layout.
Click to expand...

I agree that the scutes are the most interesting part of the hide, and would love to have them worked into whatever piece(s) I have made.

Leatherman mentioned that he would use all parts of the hide for a sheath. Does that mean that a sheath is all I could hope to get out of a single hide, or is it realistic to think of getting both a rifle sling with the scutes and a sheath from the sides and belly?
 
Depends on the animal, but I'd reckon you would get far more than that. My shark hides are relatively small, but I can get a ton of inlays and straps from them. Biggest difference is that the shark is more or less consistent in texture and thickness. With a gator, croc, cayman you get a variety of options.

I think Dwayne was saying that he uses one of whichever piece he likes from the hide. He may use part of the backstrap or he may use the belly. Not that you asked, but my favorite piece for a sheath is the backstrap. I'd make the rifle sling from belly with veg tanned on the back for strength.

Whatever you do, post your results. I'd be very interested in seeing the results.

As for the sheath, my suggestion would be to look at Paul Long's work, and forum member Siper as well as Dwayne's. :)
 
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