Alligator Skins - What to have made?

[batmaninja]

In laws are going to gift us some older alligator skins they have. Was going to get some boots and a belt made. Is there anything else that would worth having made? A gun case and shell bag would be neat, but surely not cheap. Just wondering if anyone had anything they would recommend or post pics of.

I am pretty sure they are tagged, but also not sure if I need to do something special bringing them across the state line from LA?

[Quackerbox]

Are they tanned or dyed?

If not the tannery wont take them without a tag. Also the tannery I have 2 hides at didnt want an already tanned hide for dying.

Just my experience with 2 we tagged in Aug

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[swanjts]

I have a rifle sling that is really cool looking. Might think about that

[T-roy66]

In Texas there is a three copy transfer form. One copy goes to the state, one to the tannery and the last copy stays with the individual. Not sure what Louisiana requires. But I would assume it will be similar since alligators are federally controlled.

[batmaninja]

The skins will be dyed and tagged.

[eastxhunter]

There was a guy on here or somewhere that mentioned after the whole process of tanning and having boots made , he spent more than he would have buying 4 pairs of already made gator boots. Good luck!

[Cullbuck]

There was a guy on here or somewhere that mentioned after the whole process of tanning and having boots made , he spent more than he would have buying 4 pairs of already made gator boots. Good luck!

yeah i got a quote one time for boots and they wanted around 1500 bucks with my own hides.

[gander]

There was a guy on here or somewhere that mentioned after the whole process of tanning and having boots made , he spent more than he would have buying 4 pairs of already made gator boots. Good luck!

It wasn't actual gator hide boots that he was buying if he was going to be able to get 4 pairs. More than likely caiman hide being passed off as gator hide. Caiman is exponentially cheaper than gator hide. I hunt gators on my family property each year and kill 25-30 a year myself. I have talked with the processor for years about it and if you think you are getting a "good deal" on gator hide boots than it is caiman or alligator stamped leather. I also have become friends with and bring a custom boot maker gator hunting each year in exchange for boots that he makes me. For a custom pair of boots, you are looking at a starting price of $1500+ and that is with you providing the hides.

As for ideas of what to be done, the obvious is boots, belts, wallet. I am going to get a bird belt made out of gator hide soon. The same boot maker that I use also makes snake proof boots and I plan on getting a pair made before next season out of gator hide too.

[eastxhunter]

I think it was just an expression cause he spent chingos

[Bullseye07]

I would think a gun case would be cheaper than boots, but idk


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[Quackerbox]

There was a guy on here or somewhere that mentioned after the whole process of tanning and having boots made , he spent more than he would have buying 4 pairs of already made gator boots. Good luck!

yea but if you got to boot barn and buy a pair of gators you say I bought these on sale.

If you go out in the bushes, bait, wrasssle and shoot a gator. Then skin, eat and tan the hide for boots you can say

I kilt, ate and skint the gator on my feet!

and if youre paying 1500 bucks for a pair of boots using your own leather youre getting hosed. I already have quotes for much less than that once my hides get back. And yes its from a reputable boot maker that will remain nameless till I get my boots paid for

[Cullbuck]

yea but if you got to boot barn and buy a pair of gators you say I bought these on sale.

If you go out in the bushes, bait, wrasssle and shoot a gator. Then skin, eat and tan the hide for boots you can say

I kilt, ate and skint the gator on my feet!

and if youre paying 1500 bucks for a pair of boots using your own leather youre getting hosed. I already have quotes for much less than that once my hides get back. And yes its from a reputable boot maker that will remain nameless till I get my boots paid for

Thats what i wanted to say until he told me 1500 bucks lol let me know when you get yours payed for ide like another quote

[Slew]

Are they tanned or dyed?

If not the tannery wont take them without a tag. Also the tannery I have 2 hides at didnt want an already tanned hide for dying.

Just my experience with 2 we tagged in Aug

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Who did you use and what does that run a foot? I'm gonna get one eventually!

[Burnadell]

Jeans...with the cheeks cut out.

[Quackerbox]

Who did you use and what does that run a foot? I'm gonna get one eventually!

https://specialtyleather.com/

These folks came highly recommended and Ive seen there work first hand on another forum. Ours have been there for about 3-4 weeks. Unlike the 2 or 3 other places I called they don't charge per foot. Its the same price up to 7 or 8 foot and then goes up a little per.


Mine were only mildly fleshed (power washer) and salted when I sent them which is how they wanted it. They recommended NOT tanning if you wanted them dyed another color. We're hoping for 3 pairs of boots and from there who knows what else. I may be seeking out one of the leather guys here for some rifle slings or something.