Alligator / Crocodile Shoes

[VRaivio]

DWFII, how does croc or gator hold up in the long run? My pair hasn't creased like calf does and the tiles can't be compared to any other skin I've seen.

 

[DWFII]



DWFII, how does croc or gator hold up in the long run? My pair hasn't creased like calf does and the tiles can't be compared to any other skin I've seen.

Depends on the tannage.

The old bombe' finished croc was a pure veg, as I understand it, and dry. It would crack out fairly readily. A lot of bootmakers...cutting the entire foot/vamp without any piecing...resorted to cutting the vamp "on the bias," so to speak--so the creases in the shoe/boot wouldn't be running in the spaces between the tiles.

The newer tannage (30 yeas since I first saw it?) has a much finer hand. I wouldn't hesitate to make any shoe or boot from it and i would expect it to last as long, or longer, than the best calf. If kept clean and conditioned..

 

[DWFII]



DWF which shoemaker(s) do you think source the best croc hides?

No idea really...sorry.

I don't think sourcing is the issue, however. As I mentioned it's more a matter of cutting and utilization of the resource. If you're cutting pieces from the margins, it's never gonna be prime. If you're cutting from dinosaurs or in the tail, it's never going to look as refined as the smaller...and most importantly--younger animals.

 

[bengal-stripe]

Modern tanning can make crocodile/alligator leather as soft as fabric.

Here is the famous (infamous) Hermès "t-shirt", selling at a cool 91.5k dollars.

http://www.divahair.ro/uploads/articole/original/articole_9057.jpg


Consider the leather comes from really old and big animals (front and back are a single hide each), see how the material moves with the guy.

I wonder if the thing is washable.

 

[akatsuki]

So is anyone interested in doing an Alligator MTO through Carmina or Vass? Style is still up in the air:

Couple of options

Wholecut (this is chobochobo's alligator wholecut on Rain last by Carmina)

Dual-material boot (French Oxford boot found here)

Anyway, PM me if you are interested (and what style of shoe you would be in for) and if I get enough interest (6+), I will start pricing it out with Epaulet here in NY.

 

[DWFII]



So is anyone interested in doing an Alligator MTO Style is still up in the air:

Dual-material boot (French Oxford boot

Bottom photo--the leather is caiman...not good.

 

[akatsuki]

Agreed - more just for the style rather than the actual shoe.

 

[Gianni Cerutti]

So is anyone interested in doing an Alligator MTO through Carmina or Vass? Style is still up in the air:

Couple of options

Wholecut (this is chobochobo's alligator wholecut on Rain last by Carmina)


Dual-material boot (French Oxford boot found here)


Anyway, PM me if you are interested (and what style of shoe you would be in for) and if I get enough interest (6+), I will start pricing it out with Epaulet here in NY.

The boots is a real cool.

 

[meister]



Depends on the tannage.

The old bombe' finished croc was a pure veg, as I understand it, and dry. It would crack out fairly readily. A lot of bootmakers...cutting the entire foot/vamp without any piecing...resorted to cutting the vamp "on the bias," so to speak--so the creases in the shoe/boot wouldn't be running in the spaces between the tiles.

The newer tannage (30 yeas since I first saw it?) has a much finer hand. I wouldn't hesitate to make any shoe or boot from it and i would expect it to last as long, or longer, than the best calf. If kept clean and conditioned..

In that cable channel program Swamp Men one sees the gator gathering guys getting (small) gators - though they love to get the big suckers - it probably is the meat and extra amount of skin they fetch that encourages them along with the skill needed.

Working on the DWFII theory those smaller gators are choice for boot leather?

 

[DWFII]



In that cable channel program Swamp Men one sees the gator gathering guys getting (small) gators - though they love to get the big suckers - it probably is the meat and extra amount of skin they fetch that encourages them along with the skill needed.

Working on the DWFII theory those smaller gators are choice for boot leather?

In my opinion, they are the choice for shoe leathers as well.

In any species, the younger animals will be yield the better leather. the fiber mat will be denser and finer. And there will be less scarring, less chance of the skins having been damaged by parasites (such as warbles and botflies in land animals and leeches in gators), and, of course, the travails of living.

 

[mr monty]

 

[Gianni Cerutti]

This color really makes me mad ... it's wonderful and unique ... I imagine him under the brown pinstripes wonderful.

 

[Nismoredlegs]

Long time browser, first time poster. I really only browse shoes and watches. My only vices besides good beer. Here are my first pair of nice loafers. Grail loafers to be exact. Just buy Bass loafers for bar nights and other activities where damage may occur.

Brooks Brothers size 11D...fit true to size, maybe a little loose on the heel. Nothing a thicker sock can't fix.

Pretty stoked on the actual product, didn't match the stock photo when it came to tiles. But hey still satisfying when I slip these on

 

[Gianni Cerutti]

Long time browser, first time poster. I really only browse shoes and watches. My only vices besides good beer. Here are my first pair of nice loafers. Grail loafers to be exact. Just buy Bass loafers for bar nights and other activities where damage may occur.

Brooks Brothers size 11D...fit true to size, maybe a little loose on the heel. Nothing a thicker sock can't fix.







Pretty stoked on the actual product, didn't match the stock photo when it came to tiles. But hey still satisfying when I slip these on

Very cool ... compliments ... I really like.

 

[mr monty]

came in today per Ebay

Polo Ralph Lauren