Particular, valuable and many times rare.
These are some of the characteristics of exotic leathers. But what are they exactly?
Exotic Leather is the hide that is acquired from animals, mostly reptiles, that are purely hunted for their skins, to make leather.Unlike cattle, which are used for consumption and later for the manufacture of leather goods.
Is Exotic Leather better than regular Leather?
There is no single standard for all leather types. Some hides may be softer and opaque, with a unique and fascinating color, while others may be rougher or slimy.
There is no single standard for all leather types. Some hides may be softer and opaque, with a unique and fascinating color, while others may be rougher or slimy. 90% of leather products are made from livestock (goat skin, cow skin, sheep skin, etc.) . It is precisely for this reason that exotic leathers are rarely used, which increases their charm and appeal.
In recent years, progress has been made in manufacturing artificial leather from vinyl leatherette. Whether or not exotic leather is superior to normal leather, in terms of durability, strength or quality, cannot be confirmed. But we can definitely say that exotic leathers are more distinctive in texture and color, and also in their great value.
There are also some rather rare animals, but the skins obtained from them are not called exotic skins. These animals include deer, water buffalo, beaver and reindeer leathers.
What are the best exotic leathers?
Here is a small selection of the most beautiful ones in my opinion:
American Alligator Leather
Alligator skin has a scaly texture and surface and is much tougher than cow hide, but is equal in durability. The skin extracted from the alligator's belly has a splendid appearance and great flexibility. Alligator leather is available in numerous finishes and colors. Usually, alligator leather is used to produce wallets.
Ostrich leather
The texture of ostrich leather is unique. The famous skin protuberances are well spaced out and distributed throughout the surface. The feel of the leather on the hands is particularly pleasant. Ostrich leather is available in pure white, blue, brown and black.
Python leather
Two types of python leather extracted from snakes are available. One is known as reticulated python and the other is called Karung snake. Both types have a scale pattern and are very soft.
Stingray leather
It has the appearance of glass beads. The material and texture are similar to that of nails, translucent. The leather is dyed in many shades and tones. Due to its texture, it can be used for brighter products. Genuine ray skin is able to reflect light, especially that extracted from black ray hide. This type of leather is heavier and more resistant than any other type of leather.
The cons of exotic leather
One of the biggest problems with exotic leather, such as alligator leather, is that the production is not sustainable. The waste, meat and other body parts produced by tanneries result in a huge unhealthy production that has an impact on the environment, especially on groundwater and agricultural habitats.
To conclude this topic, exotic leather is expensive and is extracted from exotic animals. It often has a slimy appearance and a matte finish. In some cases, it also has scales. Exotic leather is used to produce luxurious and unique goods.
Did you see that we have exotic leather dyeing products too?
