Definitive Exotic Hide Identification Thread: Post your Hippo, Turtle, Gator, Phoque (you!), etc. he

[Jazzmenco]

Thanks, I did some further research and confirmed it. I'm trying to move them, cool shoes but a little too long for my feet.

 

[dahl5yankees]

Need help identifying the exotic on the top, the bottom darker pair are sea turtle.

thanks!

 

[Jazzmenco]

Wow even the laces are made from the same hide.

 

[dahl5yankees]

The laces even buckle at the top, very well made. Let me know if anyone would like a picture.

 

[Cj52racers]

By the way Dahl, here's a bullfrog hide. It does look quite close.

 

[DWFII]

That said, I'm not altogether sure that the shoes in question are frog. Each of those "bumps" (even the little ones) on real frog tend to be hard, very hard...almost like the tiles on caiman.

The photo of the shoes is not definitive but at first glance it appears to me that the edges of the facings are folded." I don't think this would be possible if it were truly frog.

Might be faux frog.

 

[dahl5yankees]

was told by a knowledgeable source today that they're leather
still confused - they might be...

 

[DWFII]



was told by a knowledgeable source today that they're leather
still confused - they might be...

They are undoubtedly leather...but what does that mean?

Leather is a "catch-all" term for any tanned or preserved skin (sometimes, as in the case of shell, not even skin).

Once the skin is tanned many alterations can be, and are, applied--dying, boxing, printing, snuffing, etc.. Calf or cow leather is naturally smooth when tanned, yet there are many variations that have grain textures--all after-the-fact and not natural. A very few leathers such as elephant, alligator, ostrich, etc., have a natural texture and a distinctive look.

But sometimes smooth leathers are printed to to cover up blemishes on the grain surface...or look like more expensive leathers--to appeal to a different market. A market looking for something distinctive and out of the ordinary...at a relatively ordinary price.

They could be printed-to-look-like-frog calf leather (hence "faux frog").

Or they could be something else...maybe even real frog.

All of it leather.

 

[DWFII]

PS...if it's any consolation, I don't think the leather is a print. I don't know what it is (and I've seen a lot of "exotics"...exotic leathers...in my time). But there are a lot of strange critters on planet earth and no one has seen them all.

I just don't think it's frog leather...I could be wrong--there are lots of ways to tan a hide and maybe someone, somewhere, came up with a way to tan frog and make it soft. Who knows?

 

[dahl5yankees]

^^ Wish we were in the same city, I'd show them to you. ^^

Im out of my element. I don't know exotics and skins like many that our in this exact forum.
I do know luxury shoes but thats another subject. I dropped the price on these to $199 on Ebay
so someone will get I think a fair deal. I also have the Sea Turtle Monks dropped to $149.

I appreciate the help from you guys and always enjoy learning more.

 

[isshinryu101]



PS...if it's any consolation, I don't think the leather is a print. I don't know what it is (and I've seen a lot of "exotics"...exotic leathers...in my time). But there are a lot of strange critters on planet earth and no one has seen them all.

I just don't think it's frog leather...I could be wrong--there are lots of ways to tan a hide and maybe someone, somewhere, came up with a way to tan frog and make it soft. Who knows?

In the 1960's, US makers were making faux EVERYTHING. They are stamped calf. The creasing gives it away, as well as the lack of depth in the middle of the individual "semi-circles". VERY similar to faux hornback lizard made with calf. They just can't capture the texture/ depth.

 

[Jazzmenco]

I'm not sure, snake or ostrich leg (or something else
?)

 

[SpooPoker]

Snake, probably cobra.

 

[Jazzmenco]

Gracias Spoo

 

[Jazzmenco]

Authenticated as authentic

Cross post

Allen Edmonds - Real alligator or embossed? I think I know the answer but would appreciate opinions. I found the same exact shoes on eBay, one listing stated alligator print and got $49, the other listing stated genuine alligator and got $225.