Can anybody ID boot skin?
Thank you for any help. Made by Justin, some kind of 'animal' real or fake - has style number but it doesn't come up on ebay or google
20 comments
Thank you for any help. Made by Justin, some kind of 'animal' real or fake - has style number but it doesn't come up on ebay or google
ittybitnot
·1 year ago@a-lotta-stuff
Looks like alligator to me. But maybe because I am from FL. Never saw any kind of snake with scales that big, not even a python. Here is a similar pair:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/176522096361
farmalljr
·1 year agoExactly why I said they could be croc/alligator. Snakes do not have huge scales like that. Belly scales are the biggest but they are narrow and long, not the size of quarters.
I guess what would I know? I'm only a leather crafter. Lots of experts where ever you go I guess. Because of the lift of the scales, especially since it sounds like they were new, I'd sooner bet they leather is dried out and will probably get someone a return when the scales start falling off after the first wear of the buyer. Boots are almost 10 years old, and have not been cared for in all that time. Leather dries out and the oils evaporate.
You can't renew leather after it dries out and cracks/rots. Too late then.
roccotacodad54
·1 year agoIt depends on how bad they are dried out. Those don't look to be cracked but I can't really tell by the pictures for sure.
I bought an old caiman clutch for my other half that was very dry. I was hesitant to even open it for fear of cracking it but the exterior was intact. I slathered it in Pecards and put it into an oversized baggie and left for a week. Repeated and left for a month or so.
Rubbed of the excess and it's perfectly serviceable and supple now. Put on 3 or four coats of Renaissance wax and I believe it will last for years to come.
Dried leather can be restored if it's not cracked.
farmalljr
·1 year agoWhile I agree that leather can be reoiled or moisturized, and that not all leather is too far gone, look at that scale lift. Come on, seriously? You don't think just looking at the lift on the scale that isn't an extreme case?
The OP does not indicate for all I can tell, that they are willing to do a lot of work even trying to get the leather hydrated right again, before selling them. Though in the end, it doesn't matter to me. I don't have to worry about a return or possible bad feedback over it either. I sell leather goods, and would not even consider those boots something I would sell personally. The OP is not even sure what leather they have, nor do they indicate they know how to take care of it anyway. So at the end of the day, all this debate may be pretty meaningless.
roccotacodad54
·1 year agoI can't tell if the lifting scales are loose or if the boot is cracked by the pictures. Therefore, no I can't tell if this is an extreme case.
I was trying to give the OP options. They can either use them or not.
You are right about us debating this as being a moot point.
12345jamesstamps
·1 year agoCurious...can these be sold on eBay?
Snakeskin boots...just wondering.
toysaver
·1 year agoYes. I've sold many a pair. Ostrich is popular too.
simply-the-best-for-you
·1 year agoIf they're python, they can't be sold to CA, I know that.
simply-the-best-for-you
·1 year agoDef real - you can tell by how the individual scales are lifting & def snakeskin, but IDK what kind of snake. Def NOT croc or alligator. I agree with Pecards or there's a couple of others that are made for exotics, I don't recall the name offhand but can do some digging if you need. Just page me if you want me to go digging.
roccotacodad54
·1 year agoAs others have opined. They look dried out. Any decent leather conditioner would help with suppleness and make them look alot better.
What I do on exotic leather in that condition is first take a soft brush and get as much of the dust etc. off as I can. Then I take a lightly dampened rag and wipe down with the grain mostly (from heel to toe in this case) and carefully wipe side to side as to not lift any scales any more than they already are. Let dry overnight.
The main thing is to not get too rough cleaning so as not to stress the lifted scales too much.
I use pecards leather dressing but any dressing made for leather would work well.
After conditioning they should be good to go.
farmalljr
·1 year agoMost likely a real snake skin but could be croc/alligator. can't see the overall pattern very well. It's not an embossed leather, you can tell that the scales are partially lifted up, embossed cow leather will not do that. Check to make sure it's not so dried out (the leather) that the scales are not cracking and pulling off. Dried out leather cracks and breaks apart, meaning these would have no value if the leather is that deteriorated.
I would recommend you dust them off with a horsehair brush and if you use ANY oil lightly on them either use mink oil liquid or neatsfoot oil SPARINGLY. Do NOT use Vaseline, that's not for any type of leather what so ever.
a-lotta-stuff
OP1 year agoBoots were bought in 2017 and left one was lost in seconds - Right has been sitting on a shelf since. Left was found in a bag stuck under a bookcase. Right will be cleaned before photos.
toysaver
·1 year agoI recommend using a cloth and vaseline to remove the dust and add some shine.
whatmorefabric
·1 year agoJustin boots use both real snakeskin and embossed snakeskin. Check to see if the pattern is regular and repeats as that will be leather.
Most Justin boots are embossed leather, but if this is real snakeskin, it will be worth more.
tobaccocardyahoo
·1 year agoYup. I own a pair.
If you do not know Justin boots. it would be worthwhile to know they have a high arch, which owners like me lower by using a baseball bat.
So used Justins may or may not fit the way they did when they left the factory.
a-lotta-stuff
OP1 year agoWhat's the style number?
toysaver
·1 year agoSnakeskin.
silverstatetreasureboxes
·1 year ago@toysaver
Agree snakeskin
a-lotta-stuff
OP1 year agoWe think you and the others are right.
Thank you everybody.
a-lotta-stuff
OP1 year agoWe think you and the others are right.
Thank you.