Every kind of leather has its own unique tanning and finishing process – however, the exotic leathers that are the most complex to tan are alligator, crocodile and ostrich. Here is an overview of the peculiar high-maintenance differences of these amazing animal skins from standard cowhide leather you should know:
1) Coloring and Finishing – With a high quality tanned hide, some of the finest handiwork is done to create a finished material. The coloring and finishing process will determine the ultimate look and feel of the finished skin. Ostrich skin is very particular and requires very careful coloring and finishing to prevent creating holes in the sensitive pock-marks. Professional tanneries will only use the best quality finishes and dyes for their products.
2) Quality measurements and processing is much different – Cowhide leather can be easily mass-produced with fewer quality measurements. Alligator, crocodile, and ostrich skin require much more maintenance – these exotic sins cannot be processed in large batches, they require extra steps and time, and the maturity rate of the animal is often slower and offers less availability than regular cowhide. Only a truly professional exotic leather tanner can produce a quality hide free of holes, defects, and inconsistencies.
3) Bleaching the Skins – Skins are bleached to remove any existing pigmentation in the skins. This ultimately forms a “crust” which is basically a colorless hide that is ready for tanning and finishing in any Pantone color. Hazardous ingredients are used in this process, which also requires proper ventilation, equipment, storage, and draining tools to do correctly and safely.
4) Liming Procedures are Different – Liming is a process used to remove the outer layer of skin. This process is tricky and must be monitored closely. After liming has commenced for several days, “de-liming” is done with the help of Ammonium Chloride and the chemicals are properly recycled or disposed of. Once this is completed, each crocodile, alligator, or ostrich skin must be carefully clipped.
5) High Maintenance Processing – Only an expert tanner understands the patience and dedication to the craft of leather making to produce a high quality finished hide in crocodile, alligator, or ostrich. Any mistakes in the process can make a perfectly tanned hide an inferior low-grade product. Being an exotic animal (and often a regulated species), skins require tagging and must meet the regulations of the country of origin for inspections.
6) Skins are graded by size – Cowhide leather is much easier to produce than crocodile, alligator, or ostrich and is often sold in large measurements. In contrast, every extra centimeter or inch of an exotic hide increases its value, so a professional tanner will do everything they can to maximize the size, finish, and quality of every square cm/inch of the material and trim the least amount off as possible.
7) Proprietary Tanning and Re-Tanning Process – Each professional tanner has their own “special blend” of tanning ingredients to produce the highest quality luxury skins. Alligator, crocodile, and ostrich hides are no exception, and an experience tanner will use their special tanning sauce to craft the best quality materials. A good tanner also includes an anti-fungal mixture if the skins may be stored for a long period of time to prevent the growth and increase the life of the skins.
8) Tanning and Finishing chemicals must be precise – Only a professional tanner knows the exact measurements of the chemicals needed to produce a luxury grade exotic skin hide in crocodile, alligator, and ostrich. Whereas cowhide is easy to tan in comparison, mistakes in measurements of tanning chemicals for exotics can ruin an expensive animal hide.
There are thousands of fine leather craftsmen all over the world, often specializing in tanning specific exotic animal skins with decades of experience that they pass on to future generations.
