#Elephant leather hides skin

However, both deerskin and elkskin are not too popular with bootmakers because besides stretching and water spotting they scratch, scuff and tear very easily. Wearing a pair of these boots is almost like slipping your foot into a soft glove. Unless you are a bootmaker or hide expert, you will likely miss the tiny pinhole in the center of each scale, which is the only way to tell crocodile from alligator skin.ĭeerskin, like elkskin, is very soft and supple. However, crocodile skins are virtually identical to alligator. Cowhide is available a multitude of colors and finishes and is used in work, dress and fashion styles.Ĭrocodiles currently are not being farmed on a large scale like alligators and therefore are less available and more expensive. Cowhide is the standard by which all other leathers are measured when comparing durability, comfort and scuff resistance. It is the byproduct of the edible meat industry. Camel skins are often sueded to give a softer finish.Ĭowhide is the most available and used leather for all footwear. Camel leather has a hard finish that resists scuffing and the leather has a faint vein effect running through its surface. The hides are scarce because camels are a very valuable animal to the local inhabitants and skins are only taken if the animal dies. Most camel skins come from Asia and Africa. In addition, European cattle do not wear brands because they are not able to roam the range so their skins are unmarred and smooth. Because most Americans eat beef, not veal, the best calfskins come from Europe. It is usually used in dress or casual styles of boots. Calfskin is a very good boot leather that is available in many colors and finishes and can be finished to a high gloss. Because it is so soft, calfskin can scratch and scuff but proper polishing will fill in the scratches well. Although calfskin is finer than the hides of older animals, it has good durability and abrasion resistance because the fiber structure of calfskin is denser, tighter and stronger than that of cowhide. Bullhide will take a good shine and its textured surface hides scuffs and scratches.Ĭalfskin is the hide from a young cow that is known for its soft comfort. Bullhide is normally thicker than dress leathers and exotics thereby protecting the foot inside the boot from thorns and other possible penetrating dangers. Buffalo leathers are good choice for every day casual or work wear.īullhide is also known as cowhide shoulder leather, although sometimes shrunk during the tanning process to enhance the heavy wrinkles and creases. It is often sueded or embossed with a heavy leather grain to add surface interest. It is resistant to scuffing, peeling and scratching but soft enough for great comfort. Buffalo leather has good tensile strength and provides long wear. Buffalo is a very popular boot leather, tough but soft and supple. Most water-buffalo skins come from Africa. The newly available American Plains Buffalo leather, which is actually American Bison, is extremely soft, yet incredibly durable. The pull-up antique look of apache leathers is most visible and pleasing on the brown tone colors.Īlthough Buffalo Bill got his name hunting American Buffalo, the proper name for our native species is Bison.

Apache leathers can be used to make casual dress boots or durable work boots. The advantage of the oil and wax impregnation is to provide more water resistance in rainy and wet climates and easy removal of scuffmarks.

#Elephant leather hides skin

However, the skin is more.Īpache, Distressed or Crazyhorse is cowhide that has been impregnated (stuffed) with oils and waxes that give it 'pull-up' color changes to make it look 100 years old when brand new. The scales or tiles are diamond shaped and is sometimes mistaken for alligator. Anteater is very durable and comes in many colors. Most anteater skins originate in Asia and Africa. Boots made from alligator tail or alligator head give addition fashion variations to this classic leather. If given some tender loving care an alligator boot should last a lifetime. Alligator is available in many colors and almost never loses its sheen. Most skins are from farm raised animals in the southern United States. Soft flexible membranes separate the hardened scales or tiles. The following information will help you understand the differences between the various boot leathers available in cowboy boots, shoes and leather goods.Īlligator has a hard and shiny finish and is most suitable for an upscale dress boot.