Interest in crocodile skin goes way back to the 1800s when trading of the product gained traction in places such as the Caribbean, Mexico and in North America, where the earliest commercial used of it were recorded. To this day, however, the use of crocodile skin is still sought after, especially in the luxury coats industry. The fashion industry and the luxury brands within it, for example, is one of the industries that you use it commonly for products such as clothing, coats, bags, and footwear. Following the law of supply and demand, crocodile products tend to cost more not only because of its exoticism and durability, but also because of its rarity. There are not a lot of crocodiles, and the process to farm and produce its leather is a time-consuming and costly one. If you want to know more about crocodile skin, we answer some of the most commonly asked questions related to it below:
Is crocodile skin waterproof?
Like all types of leather, there are drawbacks. Although crocodile leather may appear hard and waterproof, it is a delicate product that needs special care for it to stay in excellent condition. Especially in comparison to its material counterparts, crocodile leather is somewhat more delicate and has a few obvious flaws. First off, it is not waterproof (believe it or not). Your crocodile leather may acquire stains, dry up significantly, and maybe break if it receives far too much moisture. It is likely that the leather of your men's crocodile jacket has lost the natural oils and minerals that keep it from deteriorating and is not likely to be salvageable if it does start to develop cracks or to become dry or stiff.
What is the skin of a crocodile made of?
The epidermis of reptiles and birds contains a structural protein family member known as beta-keratin, and that includes crocodiles. They have keratin-made scales that cover their dry skin and stop water loss, and it is the same for turtles and the even rarer alligators.
What color is the crocodile skin?
The most commonly known color of crocodiles are dark green, green, or gray. Especially given the fact that crocodile skin has a wide variety of colors and textures. There seem to be numerous blends created by the varied color schemes and patterns. A crocodile's ecology, variety, and maturity influence its skin, which can vary from a share of gray, green, and even brown or red. There is also a lot of yellow on it, which comes as a surprise to many. Of course, there are other patterns that are all black and combinations and mixtures of each.
Are crocodile skins expensive?
As mentioned earlier, crocodile leather is expensive, and this is because of the law of supply and demand. There are limited numbers of crocodiles existing gin itself, and adding the length it takes to grow, farm, and also produce the leather takes a lot of time. The size of the leather depends on the age of the crocodile, meaning the older they are, the larger the leather you can produce, so it is more expensive for the farms.
How durable is crocodile skin?
Crocodile is soft leather. And while it is not waterproof as most leather products, it is one of the most durable products around. It is able to withstand time and many elements, hence a product, whether it is clothing or bag or upholstery, made from such leather could make a very good investment as it is something you can use for a very long time. Products made from crocodile leather have even been considered as heirloom products that are passed down from generation to generation.
Take a look at our classic collar leather Crocodile jacket for men and our alternative model of Standing collar Crocodile leather men's Jacket.