Know more about alligator leather belts

Cow hides are frequently used to make leather belts, but due to constant change in fashion, alternatives to cow hide also is being tried out by the leather belt manufacturers. Pig hides, alligator skin, and even snake skin are often used for the purpose. Any skin of an animal can be claimed to be a genuine leather. But, not all leather belts sell for high price. The reason is, there are various factors involved in making these products priced. Some of the features that make a leather belt valuable is their strength, flexibility, grain, design, and of course, the brand.

How to find out if a leather belt is made of alligator skin? Simple! Genuine alligator or crocodile products are sold for high price. A diamond shape at the back has full quills. The highest-priced alligator leather belt will be made of full quills. The belly region of an alligator has no quills and hence is of no use. More the quill the better price the alligator leather belt fetches.

People prefer alligator leather belts as they are luxurious to look at, have symmetrical scales and the hide is soft. The reason why alligator skin is preferred over crocodile skin is because alligator skin is three dimensional and has great demand in the leather market. If crocodile leather can come close to alligator leather, it is only the Nile crocodile and Australian saltwater crocodile. Though alligator skin has full quills, they are softer and supple and at the same time durable too. Another factor that makes the leather manufacturers go after alligators is because alligators are not endangered species, and hence, there are no stringent wildlife laws. The laws are quite relaxed as far as alligator hide is concerned.

Alligator leather belts constitute a luxury gift item and are used by fashion cognizant people. They can be seen in four different finishes, classic, diamond, matte, and period, and their color, size, and shape can vary according to the customer’s requirement. Normal leather belts are cut east to west, but alligator skin is cut north to south, which can be found in most of the alligator belts. This way, the skin becomes stronger, as they take advantage of the collagen fibers. A unique feature found in alligator belts is that they are hand sanded and not stitched as in the case of other leather belts.

Knowing about alligator leather would surely help when you are in search of a superior leather belt.