Belts - Alligator, Crocodile, Snake, Eel, Etc.

I have an Asprey wallet made out of the stomach area of the Porosus. I believe the stomach area is the most desirable because of the small scale formations.

I got a nice belt from Coach.com for a reasonable price.

I have a belt made of whale.

It has a very interesting texture.

Ari Onassis prided himself in certain 'accessories,' of the whale persuasion. http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d1...2143986075.jpg

Originally Posted by RIDER

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Excellent reply JL! The only thing I might add is that there are 3 basic types of these skins:

Big Crocs from Australia/New Guinea and Africa (Porosus and Niloticus)
American Alligator
South American Crocs (Caiman, Panamundo, etc.)

Thanks likewise for the additional information, Ron, especially about the hide trade.

I am under the impression that a fair number of Siamese crocodiles are ranched in Thailand. This species is almost extinct in the wild, unfortunately. I have no idea how their leather compares with other species commonly harvested.

However, I don't know what you mean by "Panamundo." I am not familiar with this term and "Panamundo" is not part of the scientific name of any crocodilian species. AFAIK, the only New World crocodilians with any significance in the hide trade are the American alligator and the Common Caiman. Please clarify "Panamundo," if possible.

Please clarify "Panamundo," if possible.

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Actually, I never had heard of it either....when I was in our leather room last season there were quite a few of these skins (I think were older....like years) and the CITES tag said this name. Obviously from Panama, and not very nice.

I wonder if it's just a fancy name for the common caiman. It would be the only harvestable crocodilian found in Panama.

That brown Kiton belt is really pretty.

Originally Posted by VMan

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That brown Kiton belt is really pretty.

Yes, it is my favorite as well and certainly cost me the most.

Now I remember....was FUSCUS...a type of Caiman. They were App. II, so were ranched.

Those are some beautiful belts, whomewhat. RIDER: Fuscus is just a colour. It means 'brown' in Latin, although sometimes makers label their goods as Fuscus, so it ends up seeming like a species of its own. Caiman also just means alligator. There are only six crocodylia species that are suitable for making leather goods out of. This is determined entirely by CITES regulations. Basically, CITES App.II species can be imported/exported with the right permits, whereas App.I species are completely illegal. This info is available here, if anyone's interested: http://www.cites.org/eng/app/appendices.shtml, and here's a summary: Alligator: Mississippi - of course. Caiman latirostris - Mostly harvested in Argentina. This type isn't tanned by any of our tanneries, but maybe it's out there. Melanosuchus niger - Ecuadorian species, but regulation hasn't been established yet, so no one is tanning this one either. Crocodile: Crocodylus acutus - Cuban crocodile. Haven't ever seen this one in high-quality tans, either. Crocodylus niloticus - probably 3/4 of the time, anything crocodile is made out of this species. Harvested all over Africa. The best tanneries usually work with this one. Those erreghe belts are niloticus, without fault. Crocodylus porosus - Harvested in Oceania. Also used by good tanneries. All other species are outlawed. The Alligator sinensis is among those - it's a Chinese species, and isn't harvested anywhere (legally) anymore. Same goes for Siamese crocodile.

Originally Posted by blizzack1

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Does anyone have any good sources (affordable, but decent quality) for exotic skinned belts online?

Thanks!

Wow, someone else from Ottawa!

There are some sources online, though only two that I know and trust by reputation:

http://houseoffleming.com/
and
http://aprilinparis.us

Though if you're from Ottawa, there is an atelier in town (disclosure: my company) that makes entirely handmade stuff.

Originally Posted by meaculpa

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Wow, someone else from Ottawa!

There are some sources online, though only two that I know and trust by reputation:

http://houseoffleming.com/
and
http://aprilinparis.us

Though if you're from Ottawa, there is an atelier in town (disclosure: my company) that makes entirely handmade stuff.
I have belts from both of these and there is an immense difference in quality. I have never seen a belt that comes close to the quality of April in Paris, and the Fleming belt while OK is at least five steps below.

Originally Posted by iammatt

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I have belts from both of these and there is an immense difference in quality. I have never seen a belt that comes close to the quality of April in Paris, and the Fleming belt while OK is at least five steps below.

I think even more than just quality, there is a large difference in the type of belt that they make. Fleming makes more of a Western-style belt - just a straightforward strap with a buckle made out of good material, whereas Bea is an artisan, which is reflected in her work.

So it makes perfect sense that they would be worlds apart, but for what they attempt to accomplish, both are very good.