Hello everyone! This is KLD, a second-hand brand clothing store.
This time, I would like to talk about the types of "exotic leather," which refers to rare types of leather.
This leather is often used for bags, shoes, clothes, wallets, etc.
Many people may be wondering, "I know that cowhide is common, but what other materials are there?"
This time, we will focus on exotic leathers, which are classified as particularly rare and often luxurious.
I will be talking about it in this format, so please take a look!
This time, I would like to talk about the types of "exotic leather," which refers to rare types of leather.
This leather is often used for bags, shoes, clothes, wallets, etc.
Many people may be wondering, "I know that cowhide is common, but what other materials are there?"
This time, we will focus on exotic leathers, which are classified as particularly rare and often luxurious.
- What is Exotic Leather?
- Types of animals called exotic leather
I will be talking about it in this format, so please take a look!
Click here for an article about leather in general
What is Exotic Leather?
Exotic leather is leather made from special animals that are different from common leathers such as cows, sheep, and pigs.Due to its rarity, unique texture and high quality, it is often used in luxury fashion items.
Many exotic leathers come from animals protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), meaning that production is restricted and trade must be carried out with extreme caution.
For these reasons, exotic leathers are rare, produced in small quantities, and often have a striking appearance, making them beloved as luxury items.
How are exotic leathers produced?
When it comes to exotic leather production, many people are curious as to whether they are being killed for leather production.There are many different types of exotic leather, and the production backgrounds are also diverse. For example, over 80% of the crocodiles that are used for leather are farmed, and the meat is eaten, the skin is made into leather, the bones are used as fertilizer, etc., so there is no waste.
Animals that are difficult to farm, such as lizards and snakes, are caught from the wild.
Additionally, there are many cases where overpopulated animals are hunted to protect the natural environment and used for meat and leather.
In this way, animals that are farmed or hunted are often used not only for leather products, but also for food and other purposes, with no waste.
Of course, when animals are captured or hunted, as mentioned above, strict restrictions are imposed on each species by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), protecting them from the threat of extinction due to overhunting.
Thus, exotic leathers currently being produced are produced with the utmost care for the animals. However, compared to regular leathers, they often come from rare animals, which means that there are aspects to them that include issues regarding the sustainability of production, illegal trade such as smuggling, and issues from an animal welfare perspective.
Next, I would like to talk about the types of animals that are called exotic leather.
Exotic Leather Type: Reptile
Crocodile leather (alligator)
Crocodiles are a relatively common animal when it comes to exotic leather.
There are two main types of crocodile leather that are widely available: alligator and crocodile.
The term "alligator" generally refers to the leather of Mississippi alligators, which are raised in the southern United States and other areas.
There are many different types of crocodiles, including the saltwater crocodile, the freshwater crocodile, and the Nile crocodile.
In addition to the above, caiman leather, a small to medium-sized crocodile, is also widely available, but it is more reasonably priced than the other two.
Crocodile leather quote jra-zenpa.or.jp
The most distinctive feature of crocodile leather is undoubtedly its scale pattern.
The part of the crocodile's belly that is generally used for bags is called "hara wani." Compared to the back, this leather is soft and has no protrusions, and has regularly-spaced scales.
Belly Crocodile Quote from nishikawaleather.com
On the other hand, leather from the back of the crocodile is called "back crocodile," and has a row of protrusions down the center.It is often used for accessories such as bags and wallets that make use of the design of these protrusions.
Crocodile back quote nishikawaleather.com
The unique pattern and soft texture of crocodile leather make it a familiar and beloved among exotic leathers.
Lizard Skin
Lizard leather is also one of the exotic leathers that is loved for use in accessories such as bags, wallets, and shoes.
There are no specific rules regarding the types of lizards used for lizard leather, but most are large lizards such as monitor lizards.
Lizard leather Quoted from ginkawaya.com
The surface texture is reptilian, featuring small scaly patterns.
Many of them have unique patterns on the back or other areas, which is an attractive feature when used as leather.
Lizard leather is generally thin but strong, and is said to be resistant to friction. It is also very light and flexible.
In terms of size, it is naturally smaller than a crocodile, so I get the impression that it is more suitable for small items like wallets rather than larger bags.
Snakeskin (python, snake)
Snake leather has an appealing aura that makes it seem like it might bring you good fortune (?).
Like lizards, it has beautiful, fine, regular scales and a unique pattern that makes it a popular leather.
Snakeskin quote creema.jp
Within these two categories,
- snake
- Water Snake
- Cobra
- Python
- Diamond Python
- Morales Python
- Red Python
Both python and snake leather are very thin, light and flexible.
Although it may look delicate due to the fine scales on its surface, its appeal is that it will last a long time if properly cared for.
On the other hand, it does dry out easily, so regular maintenance is necessary.
By the way, one of the characteristics of snake leather is that the surface of each scale appears to be slightly thin and raised. This does not mean that the scales have peeled off, but rather is proof that it is real snake leather.
You might be worried that it will peel off as you use it, but it seems that it won't peel off if you use it normally.
However, it is possible that some flat parts may start to stand up, so it is still necessary to maintain the scales regularly to keep them in a balanced state.
Iguana leather (Tejoo)
Iguana leather is extremely rare among reptiles.
Iguanas are a type of lizard, but when it comes to exotic leather, they seem to be rarer than lizards.
The most popular species for leather is the green iguana, which grows to about 1.2m to 1.7m in total length when fully grown.
Iguana leather quote creema.jp
This has a different feel from lizard leather, and its beauty is such that it's easy to see why it has such a loyal fan base.
Frog leather
Strictly speaking, frogs are amphibians, not reptiles, but we'd like to introduce them to you here.
Frog leather is also one of the exotic leathers sold.
There aren't many in circulation, so it's probably quite rare.
Frog leather Quote kawazairyo.com
The leather is harvested from a larger type of frog, but since it is small in size, it is usually used for small accessories such as pass cases and coin purses.
Also, speaking of frog leather, the leather is sometimes made to resemble a frog and turned into small coin purses, which are sold in souvenir shops in tourist areas.
Frog coin case Quote from rakuten.co.jp
I think that such items can also be considered items that use frog leather.
Exotic leather type: Bird
Ostrich leather
Ostrich leather is often used for bags and is one of the more common exotic leathers.
Ostrich bags, for example, are attractive for their unique pore patterns and have a long history of being loved.
Ostriches are primarily farmed for their eggs and meat, with leather often being used as a by-product.
For this reason, it is more widely distributed than other exotic leathers and has become a popular material.
Ostrich leather (Source: Sankyo Shokai)
A distinctive feature of these birds is the distinctive protruding patterns (quill marks) that are present in the areas where feathers used to grow, as mentioned above.
This regular-looking pattern resembles a polka dot pattern, and when made into a wallet or bag it has a unique charm.
Another attractive feature is that it is soft and light, so even if it is made into a large bag, it is not tiring to carry.
It is also highly durable, and is said to be twice as strong as cowhide, so if you want an item that you can use for many years, we recommend that you consider ostrich leather.
Exotic leather type: Fish
Stingray Skin
Stingray leather has a long history as an exotic leather. Apparently, it has been used for sword handles and other purposes for over 1,000 years.
Ray leather quote mudmonkey.jp
It is characterized by its beautiful texture, which has led to it being called a "swimming gem," and its surface is covered with small granular protrusions that give it a hard, sparkling luster like glass beads.
The leather itself is hard because the hard protrusions are arranged in a dense pattern, making it difficult to process.
However, its strength is said to be 10 times that of cowhide, and its beauty makes it one of the most popular leathers.
Due to the difficulty of processing it and its rarity, it is often used for accessories such as wallets, key chains, and belts rather than for bags.
Shark skin
Shark leather, also known as sharkskin.
As the name "shark skin" suggests, you might expect it to have a rough texture, but after processing, the shark leather is smooth and has a unique texture with small, uneven wrinkles. (It has a deeper, more undulating texture than cowhide leather.)
Shark leather Quote ginkawaya.com
There are many different types of sharks used for shark leather, but the ones chosen tend to be those with thick skin and large bodies.
About 20 types of sharks, including the blue shark, tiger shark, and great white shark, are used to make shark leather.
The sharks used for shark leather are often those that have been exterminated for the sake of ocean safety, or those that have been caught in fishing operations and their skins are used as edible by-products such as shark fins.
In particular, much of the shark skin from sharks culled domestically was discarded, but in recent years, there have been many cases where shark skin has been put to good use, with the launch of brands that use the skin to make shark leather items.
Eel leather
Eel is a fish that is very familiar to Japanese people.
However, the eels used for leather products are of a different species to the ones we eat, and come from eels such as the eight-eyed eel, oil-skinned eel, and hagfish, none of which are commonly eaten.
Eel Leather Quote Boranton
One of its characteristics is that, as you would expect from an eel, its body is long and slender, so when it is made into wallets and other items, long pieces of leather are often sewn together in a striped pattern.
Another distinctive feature is the single line running down the center of the vertical leather piece.
Although it is a very light and thin leather, it is said to be about 1.5 times stronger than cowhide.
Another attractive feature is its excellent color development, allowing it to produce colors that are hard to find with other leathers.
In Western Europe, there is a superstition that it brings good luck and fortune, so it might be a good idea to consider it when purchasing a wallet or other item.
Exotic leather types: Mammals other than domestic animals
Kangaroo leather (roo)
Kangaroo leather has a texture similar to cowhide, but is said to be three times stronger than cowhide.
Kangaroos have a strong reproductive capacity and if their numbers increase too much they can have a negative impact on the environment, so in countries like Australia, they are hunted under government control to control their numbers.
The kangaroos caught on this occasion are used for their meat and their skins are processed into leather products.
Kangaroo leather quote wave-original-y
In addition to its strength, kangaroo leather is also highly elastic, making it particularly suitable for shoes and other items.
Apparently, most of the cleats worn by professional soccer players are made from kangaroo leather, and the more you wear them the more they fit your feet, giving you the feeling that you are kicking with bare feet.
Kangaroo leather is highly valued not only for accessories such as wallets and bags, but also for business shoes.
Elephant leather
One of the rarest types of leather is elephant leather.
Elephants are protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), and their import is strictly regulated; however, African elephants are the only species permitted for import and export, although only in limited numbers.
In their native habitat, they are designated as protected areas, and conservation efforts there have paid off as their population has increased, which is having an impact on the ecosystem. To adjust for this, only small amounts of elephants are captured and used for leather.
Elephant leather Quoted from dete-diary.com
The leather is characterized by its extreme thickness and durability.
The surface has fine grained irregularities and a unique feel.
They mainly produce small items such as wallets and key chains, but they also produce bags that use a large amount of fabric.
Seal leather
Seals are both mammals and marine creatures.
Baffin Island in northeastern Canada is a major seal-producing area, where hunters hunt the overpopulated wild seals to use their meat and leather.
The number of seals that can be caught is strictly limited by law, and the age of seals that can be caught is also strictly regulated. (Catching young seals is prohibited.)
The leather is thick and durable. Seals move around on the ice floes in the cold ocean, so their skin is very strong.
Seal leather quote creema.jp
The texture is deeply wrinkled, like the elephant or shark leather mentioned above.
It is sometimes used for small items such as wallets, as well as bags and leather shoes, but it is generally considered to be a rare material.
Seals are also popular for their fur, and are sometimes made into fur coats and jackets.
Hippopotamus leather
Hippopotamus leather is one of the rarest and most valuable leathers.
Like elephants, imports are strictly regulated by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), and although the numbers are small, they are processed into wallets and other items for sale.
When you see hippos at the zoo, they give off a gentle impression, but in the wild they are actually ferocious and aggressive.
For this reason, hippopotamus leather made from captured wild hippopotamuses is considered a rare leather because it has many scratches and few parts that can be used as leather.
Hippopotamus leather Quote alzunionline.co.jp
A characteristic of tanned hippopotamus leather is that it has a brushed surface and a soft, comfortable feel similar to suede.
By the way, hippopotamus leather before tanning is as hard as rock, thick, and has deep wrinkles.
It is a rare leather that is less widely distributed than other exotic leathers, and most of the items sold are small items such as wallets and pass cases.
It can be said to be a fairly rare type of leather.
To those who have read this far
Thank you for reading this far!This time we focused on exotic leather and introduced different types of leather.
There were some rare items that you don't normally see, but each of these more unusual leathers has its own merits.
thank you very much!
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