Durability of exotic skins?

I couldn't find this in the old threads, but are exotic (alligator, crocodile, ostrich, stingray) more durable than calf or even bridle?

I found some threads that imply that most are, but found one that advised not to get an alligator (over bridle) wallet because it would be less durable.

Do you plan on having this for the rest of your life?

Your desire to get a new wallet is going to come around before any problems with the wallet does.

I've had a croc Jil Sander wallet for over a year and it still looks brand new.

Alligator, lizard, anteater and snake are delicate and will wear out--I'm on my fourth alligator billfold. Ostrich, kangaroo, shark, elephant, hippopotamus, stingray and bullfrog last much longer than calf leather.
My ostrich billfold never showed any wear over the years. Even going through a washing machine (don't ask) did not damage the ostrich leather but did destroy the insides. It was less to get a new alligator billfold than to repair the inside of the ostrich.

I wear an alligator belt when I'm working making buckles. I use it alot to fit buckles that I'm working on, so it's always getting manhandled and twisted.
It continues to look great.

Bridle leather will outlast everything if cared for. But everything declared bridle leather isn't so. The only bridle leather I've found, that is authentic, is French or English.

Originally Posted by SoCal2NYC

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Do you plan on having this for the rest of your life?
What makes you think this is about wallets, silly?

Originally Posted by kitonbrioni

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Alligator, lizard, anteater and snake are delicate and will wear out--I'm on my fourth alligator billfold. Ostrich, kangaroo, shark, elephant, hippopotamus, stingray and bullfrog last much longer than calf leather.
Thanks so much for your advice both here and PM! I've seen stingray, incidentally, and I find it quite appealing.

Originally Posted by josepidal

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I couldn't find this in the old threads, but are exotic (alligator, crocodile, ostrich, stingray) more durable than calf or even bridle?

I found some threads that imply that most are, but found one that advised not to get an alligator (over bridle) wallet because it would be less durable.

I got exotic skin shoes that are more than 20 years old. It seems my belts never last more than 5 or 6 years. After 3 or 4 years, my wallets usually start looking kind of bad.

PS. If taken care of , they should last you longer than they did the animals

I have exotic skin items over 70 years old, and they are in good condition. The delicate nature comes from the "seams" that hold the scales together--they need to be moisturized otherwise they will dry up and there's nothing to be done about that damage.

My crocodile skin wallet is over 40 years old and it still looks fantastic.

Are you getting a pair of alligator skin opera pumps?

Possibly. How do you moisturize seams?

That question demands to be taken out of context.

Originally Posted by josepidal

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Possibly. How do you moisturize seams?
You simply use a conditioner for exotic skins and then if you want, polish the article with regular shoe wax for a nice shine.

I think folks that own calf shoes and exotic skins, will treat the exotics with better care and wear them less.

Some exotics - like ostrich - tend to dry out quicker than calf, and needs more regular care.



kungapa said:

Some exotics - like ostrich - tend to dry out quicker than calf, and needs more regular care.

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Sorry, that's simply not true...especially for good quality ostrich such as comes from South Africa and the Klein Karoo. In fact, Klein Karoo ostrich seems to never dry out or even scuff although it be terribly abused.

There is currently a fad among rodeo cowboys for wearing boots made of ostrich while competing. These boots get abused, they get covered in manure and they never get cleaned or conditioned until a hole wears in the outsole and they go into a shop for repair. Yet the ostrich seems to take it all. You can wash a pair down and let them dry, put new outsoles and heels on, polish them and they'll look and feel like brand new.

Alligator and other reptiles, while armoured tend to be more problematic not because the leather in the interstices between the tiles is thin (it might be) or of poor quality but simply because the interstices are a natural place for dirt to collect. If you keep alligator or croc clean and properly conditioned it will last forever and virtually never scuff.

Lizard is thin. Snake tends to deteriorate not only because it is thin but the "petals" that once held the scales on the snake tend to dry out.

Elephant and hippo tend to be heavily textured and collect and hold dirt but they are nearly impossible to scuff while retaining a nice "hand.".

Aside from the relative thinness of some exotics or the unique texture of others, exotic leathers are just leather.

All leather needs to be kept clean and conditioned. If that's done, neither durability nor longevity is an issue.



DWFII said:

Sorry, that's simply not true...especially for good quality ostrich such as comes from South Africa and the Klein Karoo. In fact, Klein Karoo ostrich seems to never dry out or even scuff although it be terribly abused.
There is currently a fad among rodeo cowboys for wearing boots made of ostrich while competing. These boots get abused, they get covered in manure and they never get cleaned or conditioned until a hole wears in the outsole and they go into a shop for repair. Yet the ostrich seems to take it all. You can wash a pair down and let them dry, put new outsoles and heels on, polish them and they'll look and feel like brand new.
Alligator and other reptiles, while armoured tend to be more problematic not because the leather in the interstices between the tiles is thin or of poor quality but simply because the interstices are a natural place for dirt to collect. If you keep alligator or croc clean and properly conditioned it will last forever and virtually never scuff.
Lizard is thin. Snake tends to deteriorate not only because it is thin but the "petals" that once held the scales on the snake tend to dry out.Elephant and hippo tend to be heavily textured and collect and hold dirt but they are nearly impossible to scuff while retaining a nice "hand.".
Aside from the relative thinness of some exotics or the unique an texture of others, exotic leathers are just leather.
All leather needs to be kept clean and conditioned. If that's done, neither durability nor longevity is an issue.

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I stand corrected. I was told by a high-end cobbler at one point that I should keep the ostrich (in case of my shoes, Rhea) extra well-moisturized. And also that it was really susceptible to water damage.