Alligator HELP...

I'll definitely give other finishes a try next time. Thanks!

@Danny Yeah, sadly that is normal on lower grade skins.

What are you trying to make with it? If it is something that folds, if you can position your fold line veritcally on the middle of the scale with lift, the tighness the bend gives to the skin will keep the scale tucked right in and the lift won't be visible anymore.

Do I make sense?

@Fadi I was hoping to make shoulder straps with these tails or watch straps. 🥲… I think I can wiggle patterns for the watch straps but the shoulder strap is hopeless. The bellies are fine more or less, perfect for wallets and bags.

The supplier calls this scale overlap and not slipping/lifting but also says they do not grade the tails of wild alligator. Another vendor confirms the same grading method.

In short… buy decent farm raised and don’t go cheap… if you absolutely need the tails… 🥲

@Danny Yup, the Wild Gators are graded based on the belly section. It is a very easy system to understand

You divide the belly into 4 quadrants/rectangles, and lets say you have defects in 2 of these rectangles, then this is a Grade2/3. If you have defects in all 4, it is a Grade 4/5. It makes it easy to understand what you are buying.

For watch straps, some suppliers sell Tails only (like Cuir De Paname, in France). These tails are graded based, well, on the tail and you can get flawless tails.

Went back to inspect the hides, and yup, probably have to work around those spots or cut them side ways in those areas and stitch them down.

I tried to glue a test piece but honestly if it's a high stress area (ridge of wallets, belts/straps, corner of a turned edge), the adhesive will not last. Maybe, I'll just have to be extra careful with where to cut?