Why Are Crocodile & Alligator Leather Goods So Expensive?

We explore why leathers made from crocodile and alligator skins command such high prices: gentl.mn/crocodile-alligator-...
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00:00 Crocodile & Alligator Leather Goods Introduction
Among all exotic leathers, crocodile and particularly alligator are some of the most well-known skins. They're also very well liked but also one of the most expensive options you can get out there.
There are many reasons why alligator and crocodile leather goods are a lot expensive than let's say, calf or bull hide leather goods.
01:03 Terminology & Background
The order crocodilia includes several genuses such as alligators, caimans, crocodiles, gharials and false gharials. All are crocodilians but not all are crocodiles. All these animal skins can produce leather.
02:59 History of Croc & Gator Leather Harvesting
05:35 Breeding Methods Today
08:29 How to Tell the Difference
10:46 Alligator and Crocodile Skin Harvesting
12:30 Grading & Measuring Skins
15:26 Pricing Guide
16:54 The Tanning Process
18:34 The Finishing Process
19:35 Making Products
After an alligator or crocodile has been harvested, they are skinned. Farmed animals are generally fatter, which means wider in the belly, than wild skins, which are longer. Hide split is from skin with one of two cuts. Incision along belly produces Hornback Leather. Incision along back produces Belly Leather.
The skins are then divided into the primary area, sometimes called Pattern Area which includes main torso and portion of head and upper tail, and Secondary Area which includes snout, feet, end of tail.
The tanning of alligator is also very time consuming and therefore expensive. At tannery, hides are descaled and softened. Hides submerged in processing solutions and can take up to two weeks.
21:46 Why Alligator Products Are So Expensive?
* Expensive raw material
* Grading - alligator and crocodile hides held to exacting standards
* Tanning - extremely time, labor intensive, products can be easily ruined at any point and require specialized facilities, machines, training
* Manufacturing - requires special care and attention, additional hand-detailing
Alligator should always be more expensive than crocodile because it is more desirable in terms of smoothness, the scales, the softness, and it doesn’t have bony plates.
22:34 Outfit Rundown

[@maryam.m]

Halfway through, I almost thought I was watching a documentary. It almost feels like a crime to watch such a well-produced video for free. Excellent work, gentlemen.

[@hankscorpio4659]

Increíble, me ha pasado lo mismo! Totalmente de acuerdo

[@guldenaydin9918]

💐 To Maryam M.

[@MisterRorschach90]

What’s funny is I have for decades always thought alligator products were repulsive and gaudy. Then I saw an antique luggage set and it looked so freaking nice. If the alligator doesn’t look super shiny and brand new it actually looks really really nice with interesting patterns. Gator suede is also interesting.

[@rustyshackleford17]

Exotic leathers are inherently more expensive due to limited supply and potentially unique tanning processes. However, most of the cost comes from "because we can" from manufacturers. They have a customer who is willing to pay a premium for a product. Honestly, I find crocodile/alligator to be a little bit too delicate/finicky for regular wear if you want the snazzy/shinny look to them.

[@misterbobo8139]

The cost is for the limited amount of skilled workers, and artisans that are involved in the entire process of farming, processing the animals, tanning, and manufacturing finished products. Very few people are working in this market.

[@sinjinadams2862]

It's considered a luxury item and luxury items always have a huge markup. Rich people have money to burn!

[@JimIBobIJones]

Surprising. Given that most of the leather is covered in scales, you would really have to go to town on them to loose their shine. They buff out quite nicely and take to polish much better than "normal" leather as well. Crocodile is more fragile, especially if its coming from a younger croc (which it usually is as that's when the skin is softer/easier to work with) but alligator is incredibly tough.

[@bighands69]

I suppose until you wrestle around in a swamp with an alligator it is hard to understand its value.

[@prince5922]

You "hunt".

[@mikelgeren149]

Janet Reno was famous gator wrestler . 🥴

[@micahbush5397]

Two words: Spear gun.

[@raraavis7782]

Problem is...after you've wrestled with one...you won't be able to, anymore 😆

[@TexasBroskiActual]

@@prince5922 Most actually come from farms these days. At least in the US.

[@cabbagekitten]

loved this episode, can you guys do a series based on "best affordable clothes" ? that'd be a winner.

[@24083314]

Everything is affordable, the funny thing is that you need to know what is and how to make it work. The thing is you need to know the quality vs affordability. You can get an old pair of shoes that are made out of leather that can be restored for less than $50 or you can get a brand new shoes for $100 that are made out of plastic that would not even last you a 1 season. I'm not rich enough to buy cheap things, remember this saying. Spend 1 day in 1 year to maintain the good quality product that has quality rather than spending your money replacing "affordable" product that does not last. Research brands, leathers and types of shoes ( in this case) and try to restore them, it's so easy to work with leather, you can fix old shoes that are 100 year old. :) Practice makes Perfect. :D

[@VernonJohnsonVLJ5]

I appreciate this channel and videos. I have learned so much. Being a gentleman is a standard we should all strive for 👍

[@MrPh30]

For one who goes on helping the communities via hunting safaris, when the croc hide is prepared ita a good way to use the leather on many kind of products to have them locally produced and shipped back home.

[@badogblue]

Although exotic leathers are a little too ostentatious for my taste, it is still fascinating to learn how they are made!

[@vlogsbyalejandro]

Same here. I can appreciate the way they're made, but it's not my style.

[@toonsoffun5733]

I think anyone can pull of a watch strap in exotic materials.

[@Wolf_Avery]

Fantastic video, gained a lot more insight into my favorite looking leather.

[@lint8391]

6:00 Live And Let Die. Saw it at the cinema with my dad when it came out.

[@oliversweeney7061]

Something I have been wondering about for a long time!

[@raraavis7782]

It's beautiful materials, no doubt about it. This was very interesting, thank you 🙂

[@calvinmercer8768]

Another fantastically informative video from my favorite men’s fashion channel! Keep it up, GG!

[@aross924]

Extremely interesting. Excellent video

[@denisf.1744]

Thanks for bringing a very informative video on with all your knowledge in this exclusive area of the most exquisite and expensive and finest leathers across the world and you were very thorough at explaining the process from beginning to the finished line to being used as video showing photos and so forth as I say great video to gain a better learning and understanding of the entire process keep more videos coming as you do great as a speaker and narrator in this area of finest quality leathers from around the world to all four corners of the world and i say keep more videos coming many thanks🐊Denis Denny

[@joemcgeough1616]

Very informative video. Thanks!

[@Danlikescheesteaks]

I have a few alligator belts from W.Kleinberg and Martin Dingman. Love them! I think alligator shoes and briefcases are a bit much, but belts looks really nice without drawing too much attention to themselves

[@Alandale45]

Or wallet 🤪

[@ishanbarma5413]

Can you please enlighten me about the key differences in the appearances and size of the scales/tiles of alligator belly and crocodile belly leather ?

[@TexasBroskiActual]

Ostrich is also very classy and much softer.

[@aluminasgmg]

I really like this video, nice delivery of the.knowdlege

[@davederrick9431]

Australia has crocodiles & Darwin has crocodile farm for leather, it is also very expensive

[@bobbennett790]

thank you for a fine teaching

[@Imperceptible_parachute]

Fascinating!

[@rumadas1552]

Can you name some tanneries who does alligator tanning? Loved the detailed information...try making same kind of video on phyton and shagreen leather in future

[@hemming57]

Love the way he pronounces leather - ledder!

[@Fush1234]

Australia makes fantastic croc belts. At an amazing price too

[@MrDDiRusso]

This is the best ideo I've seen on this channel.

[@aynsleyjeansonne]

I waited for 3-4 months for a custom Frank Clegg emerald green gator skin bi-fold. Worth every penny

[@dkrappenschitz9513]

How many pennies are 3-4 months?

[@misterbobo8139]

I love the emerald green. I have custom boots, jacket, and belt in emerald green alligator. Gorgeous color.

[@marioe6696]

Big fan of exotic leather. I own several pairs of exotic dress shoes and cowboy boots. Thanks for the video.

[@albertorossetti7959]

Ciao Mario! But do they have any additional value (breathability, durability, etc) compared to calf/pig leather? Or is it just about aesthetics and status symbol?

[@JayCWhiteCloud]

@@albertorossetti7959 Aesthetics mainly but when done traditionally for some products they are as durable or more so depending on what part of the animal skin is being used...

[@yellowstoneloyal8186]

Do you have python? I'm toying with the idea of buying a pair

[@misterbobo8139]

@@albertorossetti7959 Yes, they are breathable and durable.

[@misterbobo8139]

@@yellowstoneloyal8186 I have over 75 pairs of custom exotic boots. Mostly alligator, croc, and ostrich. I prefer ostrich as the most comfortable and alligator as the most beautiful.

[@LimbovitschHaim4Mir]

appreciate Your great work, Sir ! i reading, the crocks always catching people for food, so better them, then us ! but i am a nature lover !

[@blackwood3243]

Will Alligator leather wallets be coming to the FB shop?

[@zhenxinraysong3846]

The shirt collar looks very nice. May I know what collar Type is that from Spier and Mackay?

[@MuhammadAli-qh8tg]

Great video

[@RealJimJones69]

Hey in one of your Videos you talked about Silver Buckle belts, could either you or one of the viewers suggest some Brands ?Thank you in advance!

[@landijunior]

Do you have any video on the Paisley pattern?

[@bruceleehace20anos17]

It would be interesting if you made videos about other types of skin.

[@Number1DriversSeat]

Mezlan is nice on the low end and John Lobb and Corthay on the high end.

[@cyankirkpatrick5194]

Their is a small collection of American crocodile just off the Florida coast not to far from the Nuclear reactor.I nearly lost my mind and fell of the couch when I was watching the show about that.

[@aaronmelvin461]

In the mid 1980’s, Louisiana alligators were selling for $50/ft. This past season, $25/ft for a ten foot gator. A whole lot less/ft. for smaller size.

[@theholydonkey3527]

Could you guys do a video on the outfits on GoodFellas?

[@jgb0017]

I always thought alligator was tacky, but then I found a pair I fell in love with. Where I was blind, now I see.

[@serge_oehn]

When I first became interested in classic menswear, I was quickly fascinated by crocodile and lizard leather. The shock was all the bigger when I saw how expensive this leather is. Too bad.

[@ehabmirza7242]

Mr. Raphael, I am a BIG fan and I dont usually compare people but you are really an Idol to me and man, your soft voice makes you so charismatic and I'd LOVE to see you more in videos hehe... great video!!! thank you so much

[@cyankirkpatrick5194]

It's rumored that Hermes's had a albino farm to have leather for their products they said they don't have that anymore but. I don't really like that embossing much but I do like pebble embossing most.

[@ybernier1925]

Love the great I formation. Although halfway in, I noticed a hair in your nose that I really wanted to pluck haha

[@kletts42]

I'm sure others have answered this, but the trivia answer is Live and Let Die. It is interesting. I see expensive alligator skin leather but it has no draw for me. I even saw one shoe maker use hippo skin leather shoes. Different, but still not appealing to me.

[@DanMaker]

The hole you kept showing while talking about umbilical scars might be the cloaca or vent, not the umbilical scar.

[@JayCWhiteCloud]

You are most correct!!!

[@mikeogden5256]

Boots are awesome 😎

[@johnkelm3378]

Can you make a conditioning and care video?

[@wan7115]

kasut crocodile memang mahal

[@daved9302]

Where can I buy leather for a jacket?

[@rooneye]

$110,000 for a jacket?! 🤯🤯 also I paused it at 0:49 and the little pic top left makes it look like the jacket has a huge Gentlemen's Gazette logo on the back 🤣the watermark just fits perfect lol

[@xd_sad6776]

David at Moodyandcoleather does great work.

[@JayCWhiteCloud]

Overall, for a layperson and not a Herpetolgiest this was a great report...with a few notable exceptions and/or corrections... 01:44 Caiman species are more affordable mainly because of husbandry practices for this species being practiced for a longer period...AND...!!!...the region of the world where they come from has much less protection and regulation against overhunting. It has nothing at all to do with the durability of the skin. Any Crocodilian skin can be made durable (or weak!!!) due to the modality of the tanning process... Caiman hide is just as strong as other species of Crocodilian not weaker at all. Also, Caiman can average as large as many American Aligator in many parts of its natural range with both the Caiman crocodiles and Caiman latirostris being highly prized for great leather with the latter species being hunted almost to extinction for their skins... 01:53 I believe this was the same species of animal...with one being a "belly pelt/hide" while the other a "dorsal" (also called a shield, scute, or back) hide...This had nothing to do with speciation but rather the way the animal was skinned...as all Crocodilian can be skinned either way... 04:53 This is not an Alligator...that image is a Crocodile... 06:27 This is also a Crocodile (juvenile in someone's hand) and not an Alligator... 14:04 Was confusing since it profiled the vent opening (or rather) than a pronounced umbilical scar... Chrome tanning...IS NOT...the best option at all for any hid...!!! It is more profitable because of speed, and less skilled labor can do the work. Vegetable, brain, egg, soap/lye, uric acid, alum, glycerin (and their combination) are all far superior in tanning processing and yield a much higher quality end product. Chrome tanning is also more environmentally impacting and degrades the leather over time as well as breaks the leather down when exposed to sebaceous oils in human skin...among other long-term care issues... I would like to ask if you think there is a market for those of us left that work in bespoke customer work of certain things (like Alligator skin) and methods like burnishing by hand (what you called "high gloss")? Thanks again for an overall great video presentation on this topic!!!

[@thelostmessenger]

I liked to hear your input!

[@misterbobo8139]

The reason caiman is less expensive, is that the skin is less desirable and not as durable. The caiman is full of osteoderm, which is calcium deposits. The best skins are free from the calcium. Even Louisiana skins have less calcium than Florida skins. Also American alligator is easily identifiable and legal everywhere in the world. Certain types of crocodile are prohibited. Your question about the viability of the business is there is a demand for skilled leather artisans that can work with exotic products. The glazing of skins, is not viable, because they are finished at the tanneries. The best pursuit is the expert cutting of the skin patterns so they perfectly match while eliminating any waste. The making of the products is very specialized and very few people in the US are proficient at making anything of quality.

[@holdenmahlers4294]

ROFL :DDDDDDDD Raphael had me dead

[@volvopp1]

I own an alligator jacket paid it 60 000$, I love it

[@misterbobo8139]

You got ripped off, dullard. I own about a dozen.

[@HazaziSama]

I’m thinking to bringing an alligator to the store to made me a jacket

[@jh3021]

James Bond movie is Live and Let Die.

[@mortuaryartist4390]

I presumed that croc skins are not a by product for general meat consumption. ( I have eaten it) it’s not great..Many years ago I saw a vid on KZbin on how to skin a croc. Amazing

[@JayCWhiteCloud]

Both Caiman, Alligator and Crocs taste about the same and have different tastes depending on what part of the animal you are eating and what the animal has been feeding on...

[@georgelush1998]

How can you tell the difference between an alligator and a crocodile? Easy. One will see you later and the other will see you in a while.

[@Egilhelmson]

Which one should you never smile at?

[@gyang333]

The omega watch strap price is wrong. It might be $900 including the buckle as well.

[@user-fg7kk1kn6b]

hello, all my coats are made from these and other exotics. I always watch your video as guide for me how to create suits. But you are right regarding the laws. I have to learn the laws for each country that i go to for me to bring my stuffs, especially when i went to USA for business trip. Regarding exotic suits, when i was creating it based on your videos, there are things and rules that applies to the fabric suit that is not really similar to the exotic skin suits.. Example lets say the suit made of fabric because it is well measured and tailored, it wont create a dimple or creasing in the shoulder or even in the back of the collar.. The suit will also flex well.. But for exotics coat it is different.. I made similar coats for myself using exotics, but during the initial days of me wearing it, IT IS NOT THAT FLEXIBLE AND COMFORTABLE.. It has a breaking period that you need to undergo before it becomes more comfortable than fabric. Then also, even if it is well fit, it develops PERMANENT CREASES.. for example, it is well fit in my shoulders and armholes, but because i use it daily, it developed a crease in the end of my shoulders, it the end of the shoulder pads because of the natural creasing of the leather.. But the creases doesnt actually make the coat look bad, it actually gives more life into it.. It is just that, people who expects perfect stuffs in fabric coat will not expect same thing in the exotic coat... And also, exotic coats are not CONSISTENT in the patterns unlike fabric... So the crocodile belly may appear SO LARGE on the left side but small in the right side of the coat... Sorry for the long comment!

[@mrgato909]

what cowboy boots where shown?

[@forceboxed]

Any info on animal cruelty involved in harvesting skin? That's keeping me form buying leather for now.

[@Mom0fTwins]

Thr movie was "Live and Let Die"

[@equilibrium2359]

Australian crocs are still harvested

[@mikeogden5256]

Vest is My favorite

[@joebaumgart1146]

WOOOOOOO!

[@indy2867]

Alligadder leader. I love this accent. Where do you hail from?

[@yunusshaikh792]

Can you make a video on Titan watch

[@baberoot1998]

What exactly...is alligator ledder?

[@Rajeev_kumar991]

I like crocodile shoes, jacket, etc. But these two i like most he is also god and snake is also like a god its precious for me alligator is normal

[@Lingling92035]

Muito bom😊😊

[@OGSarah]

I’ll never buy Hermes for the single reason that they skill alligators alive. Absolutely savage.

[@MayTheSchwartzBeWithYou]

How do you know this to be the case? In any case, while it is savage, one must also consider that alligators eat their prey alive...

[@OGSarah]

@@MayTheSchwartzBeWithYou it’s pretty well documented. There was a video of the process that got the company in hot water and they never denied it. Additionally, I think there is a big difference between a fully sentient being ( like humans ) allowing an animal to suffer for fashion and an instinct based creature eating other animals alive for sustenance. I don’t judge others who choose to support this the company but for me, these practices outside my window of comfort.

[@Sallahaddin1]

@@OGSarah I feel the same. I was considering buying an alligator belt (hoping that it would last me a lifetime, unlike a regular belt), but now I have serious doubts about that since I've read about gators / crocodiles being skinned alive for their hides...

[@misterbobo8139]

Lol. No they don’t. They are killed and bled before processing.

[@Sallahaddin1]

@@misterbobo8139 well, I am not sure about that

[@mikeogden5256]

Yes it’s worth it

[@babagandu]

Elephant leather best 👍🏻👍🏻

[@hhhhhhhfjjrjrjrjrirh148]

I just wonder why I can't have alligator boots in actual alligator blackish green skin only in black Also I eat alligator quite often living in the south I wonder how I get it pretty cheap even tho hide is expensive

[@misterbobo8139]

The “natural” look you describe has been done before. They are hand created and a big disruption to the normal production process at tanneries. There is very little demand for that product. I have a couple of custom boots and belts with that look. The reason for the cost of meat is it’s a specialty food product with minimal demand. The cost for the meat has always been irrelevant to the value of the finished luxury products. Meat is just processed and wholesaled to restaurants and fried. Nothing special about this. Fine quality products are rare and highly skilled labor dependent. No comparison

[@manuelgonzalezgonzalez2848]

Muy buen vídeo .Por favor traducirlo al ESPAŃOL.Un cordial saludo🎩

[@gentlemansgazette]

¡Estate atento a nuestro canal español! :) - Preston

[@Number1DriversSeat]

@@gentlemansgazette Could you give us the name of your custom shoe maker?

[@frankmartinez4856]

Live, let’s Die! Croc & Gato are favorite of cowboy boots 👢

[@adameve2789]

Why do they show us many colors of the alligators skin which are different from their beautiful skin colors!!

[@sakibbsyeed532]

I know a guy who can make you a a watch strap of your design and sizing for under 60$. Crocodile leather products is not expensive you just have to know people.

[@zackbrown5201]

Thats the question to ask if thats genuine leather ? 🤔

[@martinXY]

Because they fight back.

[@dread5469]

so where i can buy legit ones?

[@Camrographer]

As long as the hides are sourced ethically and humanely. So in theory one could still obtain a lower quality hide/product at a more affordable price. Unless there is price fixing and hide companies don't let that stuff get out to the secondary market. I really don't know how people wear synthetic leathers. I bought a pair of boots years ago and they didn't breathe at all. I wound up returning them.

[@captain_daniel9y631]

Pa dam dishoom hahaha

[@baberoot1998]

The real James Bond question would be...what shoes was Roger Moore wearing, when he jumped on the backs of the alligators to escape. That...my friends...is the real question.

[@ZiaUddinAhmad]

I donno about how ya'll feel, but to me taking lives to wear and use their skins is sheer barbaric, medival and sad.

[@colinmichell3505]

Totally agree

[@lseul8812]

I see it has an honour to be able to wear the regiments of living beings. The quality is unparalleled to synthetics and knowing the depth of meaning that a living being is behind it is nice.

[@ZiaUddinAhmad]

@@lseul8812 Oh, got it. The feel is like an assassin who successfully kills a national leader and takes pride in being a pivotal part in history.

[@julijakeit]

yea, and you tell me it's not barbaric to use internet that damages brain or drive cars that burn fuel and pollute our planet? B8tch please, don't tell me you also eat meat, drink milk and eat eggs?

[@nafis6668]

i like that joke xD

[@muellsacktv69]

these living creatures are not objects, they have the same feelings as we do, and breeding them on such farms is animal cruelty

[@darkgamingff9911]

What if im a swamp hunder

[@Nuevofangoria]

love u

[@wagyubeef925]

I own a croc wallet,paid 750£ for it.

[@user-ty5di3ku6o]

Btw, crocodile and alligator leather is mostly from farmed animals that cost less to feed than a cow. The price is inflated and absurd. The rest comes from hunted animals that hunters only get $200-300 an animal that can make dozens of $600 wallets.

[@user-ty5di3ku6o]

"Meat is expensive." They feed them chicken mostly. And you can feed an adult alligator 1 chicken a week. They're ectotherms and burn much less energy than mammals and birds. You can feed them on 3-4 dollars a week. The price is indeed inflated.

[@ericpetersen8155]

That’s correct, I have a friend who owns a crock farm in Zimbabwe. Costs almost nothing to raise and harvest them. They have 25,000 crocks in their manufactured ponds. It’s a factory, they use cull meat they get from the bush. They all captive bred and harvested when they are 1.2M long. The meat is vacuumed packed and sold to mainly Japan, the leather goes to Milan and enters the luxury goods market there. It’s a HUGE profit center for the luxury goods manufacturer’s.

[@jordanwilliams1546]

@@user-ty5di3ku6o thanks for the knowledge

[@user-ty5di3ku6o]

@@ericpetersen8155 saving a ton on feed if he's culling at that size. What does he do for eggs to replace them though?

[@ericpetersen8155]

@@user-ty5di3ku6o they breed onsite. It’s 100% captive. They keep the ponds at a specific temperature and have optimized everything so they can harvest and run as efficient as possible.

[@No1Nova]

Caging and harvesting sacred beings doesn't sit well with me but this was interesting none the less.

[@Methodsaimon]

Agreed!

[@rooneye]

I think without watching this vid we all understood WHY its so expensive lol Is there such thing as Lion/Tiger leather? I bet those would cost some moolah! Or do those big cats just make for bad leather? Frog leather! Toad leather even bigger. For tiny leather gloves for hands like mine. 🤣🤣frog leather seems like it would be smooooth! Why dont we do chicken leather?!

[@arega1s830]

Live and Let Die

[@rhynowhite8293]

Where is good place to buy exotic skin shoes and suits for big and tall men that’s great quality but not big on the pocket book???

[@doylemurphy152]

Why is it so expensive? It hard to get. Watch Troy and Pickle on Swamp People trying to catch a gator.

[@kissme4492]

Because the leather needs to come from a SOURCED distributor which pays $$$$ for the privilege ( IE. Chanel) then they pass the cost down to you. It isn't about preserving animals. I have seen wallets down in Mexico go for $40 to $150 that would cost $1000's in the USA.

[@misterbobo8139]

Mexico is garbage. Those skins are mostly illegal and would be seized if imported

[@kissme4492]

@@misterbobo8139 Not my experience at all. I own and have used too many leather products from Mexico . Most are high quality . Some junk but that's on you the buyer not Mexicans.....greetings from Tijuana , Mexico :)

[@MatthewJBD]

$900 for a watch strap 😂

[@MayTheSchwartzBeWithYou]

Yeah, anyone who spends $900 on a watch strap should be made into a leather product.

[@2daysinthailand788]

gator cost more than croc?

[@BenDover-lx1gh]

Yes alligator leather is the best of the best out of all the crocodilians croc comes in 2nd caiman 3rd

[@misterbobo8139]

Labor costs are higher for American alligator. American gator is easily identifiable and legal everywhere. Crocodile is more risky with a lot of skins being illegally traded. Crocs are mostly raised in countries with very cheap labor and operating costs