Sting Ray. Reputedly the world's most durable leather. Soft, yet tough. Water, fire, and tear resistant. Used in medieval Japan for sword handle wraps and armor coverings.
I would really like a vendor or two to make some Indy jackets with the quality deerskin that the FS Expeditions were made of. Quality, durable, and the drape is great too.
Chamorro wrote:Chupakabra. That's the ultimate hide.
If, if it's the one reportedly in Puerto Rico, count me out. I'll watch from the porch while YOU round one up, Smith and Wesson in hand. (grins) Heck, it will bite so many holes in itself trying to get away, your jacket would leak like a sieve. Regards. Michaelson
That's pretty close. It's not just an Urban Legend in Mexico and Puerto Rice...El Chupakabra is pretty deeply rooted in Meso-American Mythology. It's a mythical "goat eater"....and the X-Files episode is dead on the money concerning its origins and habits. A beast that steals in and eats goats (primary to Meso-American culture)....supposedly very ugly and mean. Michaelson's right....I'd be on the porch with him....not a creature I'd want to tangle with.
the stingray they make boots friom isn't soft. It is flexible but covered in hard bumbs. it bends between the bumps. The stuff the make boots from looks like sand paper. about 0 grit.
I vote for shark. Very tuff. good grain. I have a pair of chocolate brown sharkskin boots that I love. Some of the most comfortable I have ever owned.
Nope, most of the time the were a cotton(or wool)/synthetic blend. Real sharkskin is a leather that is next in line behind elephant which is behind stingray. They are the three toughest leathers in boot manufacturing.
Those "bumps" are called pearls. You are right that some stingray leather is very tough. However, there is some particulary nice stuff that they make into belts, wallets, and ladies' handbags. (The natural colour range is quite remarkable, everything from steel grey to light grey to yellow brown and on to russet.)
Yes, sharkskin is great. I'd like to get my hands on a tobacco pouch made of sharkskin.