Alligator / Crocodile Shoes

[TtownMD]



This was hepful information @RIDER.

Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

Thank you & I also agree

 

[Sreezy36]

I love them (exoctic croc/gator) and hate them at the same time.... I love them because, when done right, crocodile shoes look absolutely stunning.. On the other hand, I dislike like them because of their lack of versatility and gaudines. Also, I cannot justify spending 3k + on a pair of shoes that I barely wear.

 

[SoGent]

EXACTLY!

The manufacturer can file and handle all of the paperwork correctly........a retail store, however, is a different story. A retail cannot file the paperwork because they don't have the tag #'s TO file the paperwork - or the export license. The factory, yes.

We do the same thing, and we always then handle the transaction thru one of our accounts/stores here in the US. This way the paperwork all lines up. The few times we shipped directly to a clients home, we actually ran the paperwork thru an account here (who we knew had FW license) but had the goods transshipped directly to the client. I suppose they never knew.....but this way there was no risk.


edited for clarity

precisely and it's also the reason most, if not all, exotics are purchased from the shoe maker directly.

 

[jerrybrowne]



I've had similar questions about my Edward Green alligator Chelseas. I want to send them to EG for a resole/recraft in the near future, but something about sending my cherished exotic shoes to England and back makes me queasy.

Also Bick 4 is awesome on crocodile and alligator skin. What do people think of Saphir Reptan?

Bick4 >>>> Saphir Reptan. Reptan is too difficult to apply due to its custard-like consistency, and does not moisturize as well.

 

[smoothie1]

Yes, I bought some Reptan a while ago, and it's so-so in my opinion. It takes off polish much like Reno.

I find Lexol a bit greasy. Perhaps I should just stick to Bick and be happy it works.

 

[VRaivio]



Also Bick 4 is awesome on crocodile and alligator skin. What do people think of Saphir Reptan?

I've tried Reptan and really hate the smell. It's more expensive than Bick as well, but it's the smell that lingers on indoors and hurts my nose that does it. As for results, it's difficult to say which one is better at moisturising or shining crocogator. I only use Lexol if some leather uppers feel stiff when bent, it's mostly for softening rather than nourishing. Gosh, my small Lexol must have lasted for several years now.

 

[The Craftsman]

I've had similar questions about my Edward Green alligator Chelseas. I want to send them to EG for a resole/recraft in the near future, but something about sending my cherished exotic shoes to England and back makes me queasy.

Also Bick 4 is awesome on crocodile and alligator skin. What do people think of Saphir Reptan?

Saphir Reptan was specifically made for use with exotic skins. Other conditioners may damage the skin. Use a cotton swab to polish scale by scale and be careful not to get a build up of the cream in between the scales. Only use an absolutely tiny amount per application and allow time to fully dry before buffing with a lint free cloth or soft horsehair brush. Depending on the condition of the skin, several light coats maybe required.

 

[Tried and True]



Also worth noting that Homeland Security administers CITES these days - and enforcement.

HS have quickly garnered a reputation as a bureaucratic nightmare. Best to stay clear of them if at all possible.

 

[DWFII]



Saphir Reptan was specifically made for use with exotic skins. Other conditioners may damage the skin. Use a cotton swab to polish scale by scale and be careful not to get a build up of the cream in between the scales. Only use an absolutely tiny amount per application and allow time to fully dry before buffing with a lint free cloth or soft horsehair brush. Depending on the condition of the skin, several light coats maybe required.

Yes, that's true...and yet other conditioners will not. Basically if you're afraid a particular conditioner will damage reptile be also afraid that it will damage calf. And vice versa. Alligator and croc, in particular, are simply leather just as calf is leather. Some lizards are still purely bark tanned and very dry but most modern tannages are chrome retans or something entirely different from the old bombé gator, for instance.

The most important thing with gator and lizard is to keep the leather clean, esp. between the tiles where the leather is not as thick nor as dense--where the leather flexes most, IOW.

Bick4 is one of the best conditioners on the planet IMO and will not harm either the skin nor the finish.

edited for punctuation and clarity

 

[Tried and True]



Only use an absolutely tiny amount per application and allow time to fully dry before buffing with a lint free cloth or soft horsehair brush. Depending on the condition of the skin, several light coats maybe required.

This is the preferred process for most all projects; be it cars, furniture, homes, etc. Patience is required and rewarded.

 

[The Craftsman]

Yes, that's true...and yet other conditioners will not. Basically if you're afraid a particular conditioner will damage reptile be also afraid that it will damage calf. Alligator and croc, in particular, are simply leather just as calf is leather. Some lizards are still purely bark tanned and very dry but most modern tannages are chrome retans or something entirely different from the old bombé gator, for instance.

The most important thing with gator and lizard is to keep the leather clean, esp. between the tiles where the leather is not as thick nor as dense--where the leather flexes most, IOW.

Bick4 is one of the best conditioners on the planet IMO and will not harm either the skin nor the finish.

Exotics require a different conditioner. Reptile skin is fundamentally different to mammal skin. Bickmore, the makers of Bick4, also have Bickmore Exotic. I would use that for exotics.

This is the preferred process for most all projects; be it cars, furniture, homes, etc. Patience is required and rewarded.

Couldn't agree more.

 

[DWFII]



Exotics require a different conditioner. Reptile skin is fundamentally different to mammal skin. Bickmore, the makers of Bick4, also have Bickmore Exotic. I would use that for exotics.

News to me and I've been making lizard and alligator boots and shoes for a number of decades.

Whether Bickmore Exotic brings anything unique to the game that Bick4 doesn't...or whether it's just a marketing ploy...I don't know, but I've tried a lot of different product over the years and none meet all the criteria I would want... except Bick4.

Beyond that, anything that is a paste is going to build up on the leather and collect microfines--dirt and grit that will cause cracking in the interstices between the tiles.

 

[smoothie1]

I will say this, as I posed the initial question, Bickmore Bick 4 has been more effective and better/easier to work with than Saphir Reptan for me.
Reptan's thick and gooey consistency seems less than ideal on the membrane between scales of Bombe crocodilian leather.

I would like to try Bick for exotics, but I have not yet.

 

[mr monty]

 

[mr monty]