Home — Guide
Everything you need to buy genuine American alligator with confidence — start with the complete buyer's guide.
Alligator vs. caiman, the CITES tag, grading, glazed vs. matte, belly vs. hornback, quality, care, and price expectations.
Alligator, crocodile, caiman, ostrich, python, lizard, stingray, cobra, hippo and elephant — how each skin really behaves.
Full-grain cowhide, vegetable vs chrome tanning, calfskin lining, and brass vs stainless hardware — named plainly.
Every leather tiered by quality, durability and value — from Porosus crocodile and alligator down to faux.
The price gap, the pros and cons, and the simple consumer tests to tell real alligator from a stamped cowhide fake.
The seven steps — sourced, inspected, tanned, selected, cut, constructed, finished — that explain exactly what you're paying for.
Hand cutting, edge finishing, saddle stitching, linings, hardware, reinforcement and the hours — the details that justify the price.
How genuine alligator is legally sourced, tagged and traced under Louisiana law and CITES — and why a documented skin is worth more.
Leather type, sourcing, dimensions, interior, hardware, construction, care, warranty and shipping rules — everything to check before you buy.
A complete course — cleaning, conditioning, moisture, heat, storage, the right products, exotic-skin care, and professional repair.
Louisiana alligator vs. America's great tanneries, and alligator vs. crocodile vs. caiman — how it stacks up.
From Bayou to Bench
When you're ready to buy, find a licensed Louisiana maker working in genuine, CITES-tagged American alligator.
Meet the Makers